Marianna Tax Choldin

Marianna Tax Choldin’s research focused on censorship in Imperial and Soviet Russia. Author of two books on the subject, A Fence Around the Empire: Russian Censorship of Western Ideas Under the Tsars and Garden of Broken Statues: Exploring Censorship in Russia, Professor Choldin’s theses offer great insight into how states control the flow of information and what type of information is allowed and censored.

However, her role extended beyond the classroom and even the US borders. Professor Choldin spent decades lecturing in Soviet Russia about censorship and access to information, topics that easily could, and have, gotten others arrested. This did not deter her, however, because Professor Choldin knew what wealth of information was barred to scholars due to censorship and continued to advocate for open access to information.

Because of this belief, Professor Choldin also spent much of her time working with the library system at the university. Professor Choldin knew the role that libraries played in the spreading of information to the public; thus, she continued to expand this university’s collection. Professor Choldin became well-known for securing various articles and books for students that would have otherwise remained lost to censorship.

Professor Choldin’s challenge to censorship led her to join organizations such as the Soro’s Foundation’s Network Library Programs and the International Research and Exchange Board (IREX), which reflected her ideals around censorship and the central role of libraries in challenging censored societies. Professor Choldin was also a founding member of BIRD, the Subcommittee on Bibliography, Information Retrieval, and Documentation of the Joint Committee on Soviet Studies.

Back at the University of Illinois, Professor Choldin founded the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs in 1991. This program seeks to strengthen ties to libraries on a global scale and use the library’s role in society to foster an education centered on understanding and peace. The other organization that Professor Choldin associated most with was the American Association for the Advancement of Slavic Studies. This group expanded access to Eastern European studies at this university and Professor Choldin was even elected its president in 1995.

Professor Choldin’s work did not go unrecognized. In 2000, Professor Choldin’s work with Russian libraries and the expanding access to information and addressing the lack of intellectual freedom drew the attention of the Russian state, but not in the same way it may have in Soviet Russia. On July 28th at the 5th International Slavic Conference, awarded Professor Choldin the Pushkin Medal. This medal is awarded by the Russian government in recognition of an individual’s extraordinary contribution to the state and culture.

Back in the US the following year, Professor Choldin received the first Distinguished Faculty Award for International Achievement. This award was presented to her for her contributions to both international and domestic learning through the library system.

Professor Choldin left an impressive legacy at the University of Illinois. Her dedication to education and the expansion of knowledge saw great fruition domestically and internationally. Her work has helped enrich the lives of countless individuals.