At the SirsiDynix SuperConference 2006, the Data Research Users’ Group donated approximately $30,000 to organizations that support and defend free speech, free expression, and privacy.

The Data Research Users’ Group is disbanding, and its membership is merging with the Unicorn Users’ Group International (UUGI). As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in Missouri, the Data Research Users’ Group is allowed to donate its final assets to other 501(c)(3) organizations, and chose the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Freedom to Read Foundation as recipients. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and the Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) each received about $15,000.

“The Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Freedom to Read Foundation have long and successful records of defending the First Amendment rights that we as librarians – and as citizens – hold very dear,” said Steven M. Schermerhorn, president of the Data Research Users’ Group. “Both organizations depend on contributions to successfully defend our rights, and the Data Research Users’ Group is happy to donate a substantial amount of money to the cause of intellectual freedom.”

Shari Steele, executive director and president of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, said: “EFF is so grateful for such a generous donation from the Data Research Users’ Group. A major donation such as this will go a long way toward helping us fight for free speech rights and protect fair use rights.”

Judith Krug, executive director of the Freedom to Read Foundation, said: “I cannot thank the members of the Data Research Users’ Group enough for the extremely generous donation to the Freedom to Read Foundation. This is one of the single largest donations FTRF has received in its 37 years. The Freedom to Read Foundation has been on the forefront of groundbreaking litigation that has cemented major principles we hold dear as a profession. This award comes at a most propitious time as libraries are under renewed pressure to restrict their users’ access to information.”