Intellectual Freedom

ABLE: Administering Better Libraries—Educate

Module 5

Learning Objectives Understanding of the roles public librarians

play, historically, legally, and philosophically, in protecting the First Amendment rights of freedom of speech and the press.

Familiarity with strategies which foster an atmosphere conducive to intellectual freedom.

Familiarity with important laws and policies pertaining to intellectual freedom.

Overview

Introduction to intellectual freedom Banned and challenged materials Access of patrons to library services Intellectual freedom and youth Filters: issues for children and adults Laws and statements about

intellectual freedom

Introduction to Intellectual Freedom

“Intellectual freedom is the right of every individual to both seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction. It provides for free access to all expressions of ideas through which any and all sides of a question, cause, or movement may be explored.” American Library Association

What conditions are essential for intellectual freedom?

Individual right to hold and convey beliefs and ideas

Society supports unrestricted access to ideas and information

Basis for democracy

Hot Intellectual Freedom Issues

Access to the Internet Harassment and hostile work

environments caused by open access to the Internet

First Amendment rights of minors Privacy of patrons and their

records

Banned & Challenged Materials - Overview

Censorship vs. Selection Expurgation, Labeling, Ratings Challenged vs. Banned Materials Addressing a challenge

Censorship vs. Selection

Censorship = exclusion Selection = inclusion

3 Examples of Possible Censorship

Expurgating Labeling Ratings Systems

Self-Censorship

Material isn’t purchased because it might offend some patrons.

Self-Censorship Checklist

Challenged or Banned?

Challenged = Person/group objects to material and seeks its removal from the library by following the library’s procedure for “Reconsideration of Materials”

Banned = Challenged item is removed from library at the conclusion of the process for reconsidering materials.

When the Censor Comes…

When the patron is in front of you After the patron leaves

Challenges can be Opportunities

Democracy in action Illustration of the importance of

libraries Banned Books Week

Access to Library Services Overview

Restrictions on access to service and materials

Public space Borrower confidentiality Young people and intellectual

freedom

Restricting Access

Interlibrary loan Levels of borrowing privileges Handicap accessibility Fees

Public Spaces in the Library

Bulletin boards, meeting rooms, display cases

Policies for each!

Borrower Confidentiality

Traditional library commitment Legal obligation Ask yourself: “Why are we

collecting this information?”

Confidentiality vs. Privacy

“What happens in the library, stays in the library.”

Bill Barnes and Gene Ambaum, Unshelved.

Privacy = un-scrutinized inquiry Confidentiality = keeping

Personally identifiable information (PID) from the public eye and ear

Library Policy on Confidentiality

What happens to collected PID Third party restrictions on use of PID Opt–in Borrower information given over the

phone How borrowers give permission for

others to use card

Policies for Juvenile Borrower Records

Ages eligible Parental permission

Not required Required

Family Cards

Intellectual Freedom & Youth

“A person’s right to use a library should not be abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.” –ALA Library Bill of Rights

in loco parentis

“My daughter checked this out…”

Opportunity for discussion Maximum sensitivity to materials

Ages 4-6 Ages 14-16

Diverse readers Parents guide their own children

Youth & Library Computers

Potential access to all Internet sites

Parent discomfort with computer technology

Youth comfort with computer technology

Internet and Acceptable Use Policy

Filters – Issues for All Ages

Purpose of filters Caveats about using filters Keeping it in perspective Strategies for safe Internet surfing

Laws and Statements about IF

Required library policies Statements to include in library

policies Relevant laws

Summing It Up

NYLA’s Intellectual Freedom Checklist Have – policies & procedures Do – training & PR Know – laws & community Keep in Touch - communicate & read Tell the World – promote intellectual

freedom

Resources

ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom: Intellectual Freedom Manual, 6th ed. ALA: 2002.

New York Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Manual

Thank you for coming

Evaluations