Chapter 5 Information Policy as Library Policy: Intellectual Freedom

Chapter 5 Slides -- M. Stansbury 1

Chapter 5Information Policy as Library Policy: Intellectual Freedom


Library Information Policies

Organization of materials and collections DDC LC LCSH AACR2


Library Information Policies

Selection and Collection Development Policies Guide nature and type of information

available to users


Selection and Collection Development Policies

Collection Development Policy Broad view Fundamental mission of library Subjects collected Depth of subjects



Collection Development Policy Formats Balance among formats Users and needs Cooperative relationships


Collection Development Policies

Purposes Planning tool Guide to selectors Ensures consistency Training tool Statement of philosophy Defense for challenges



Selection Criteria Used to select individual or small

groups of items Should be consistent with collection

development policy


Selection CriteriaAuthorityAppropriatenessAccuracy or timelinessPhysical characteristics


Selection CriteriaCollection fitDemandContentSpecial characteristics


Selection CriteriaWeb source evaluation Additional questions to ask

Domain name Additional links Links updated


Selection CriteriaWeb source evaluation; Additional questions to ask, cont’d.

Websites that link to it Ease of access Quickness of download Ease of navigation Internal search engine Accessible


Service Policies as Information Policy

Circulation policies Length of loan Renewal Materials designation



Reference policies Types of services Restrictions Service philosophy

instructional or delivery-oriented



Personnel and staffing policies Staffing policies and practice directly

related to service


Preservation as Information Policy

Deterioration of library materials Poor environmental conditions Improper handling Natural disasters Insects



Deterioration of library materials, cont’d. Nature of materials, cont’d.

Post-1850s, highly acidic paper Acid causes paper to crumble



Individual library’s policy on preservationU.S. Federal government programs Library of Congress

National Digital Library Program (NDLP) National Digital Information Infrastructrue

and Preservation Program (NDIIPP)


Intellectual Freedom as Information Policy

Intellectual freedom issues implicated in variety of library activities

Attempts to censor library materials on the rise



Attempts come from across the political spectrum



Most challenged books in 2002 Harry Potter series (Rowling) Alice series (Naylor) Taming the Star Runner (Hinton) Captain Underpants (Pilkey) and others



Reasons for challenging Sexual explicitness Offensive language Unsuited to age group



Censorship An act or set of acts by government,

groups, or individuals to restrict the flow of information or ideas.



Censorship Censorship is one concept within the

family of intellectual freedom concepts.



Intellectual freedom Protecting free flow of ideas or

information

Based on belief that societal health is strong when ideas can be created and disseminated without impediment.



Intellectual freedom Protection is one of most difficult

aspects of library work. Causes much professional

controversy.



Intellectual freedom Librarians perceive conflicts among

obligations moral ethical personal social legal



Obligations that restrict access to act in accordance with personal

values

to protect, preserve, and maintain community and society values as a whole



Obligations that increase access to protect rights of patrons to free

access to ideas and information in a democratic society reflects belief in democracy as most

effective form of government preservation and support of First

Amendment



Obligations that increase access to educate children

education as a complex concept Island Trees v. Pico (1982) White House Conference on Library and

Information Services in 1990


Obligations that increase access; to educate children

White House Conference on Library and Information Services in 1990Kids need …belief in worthwhile future …positive sense of self-worth …ability to locate and use information



White House Conference on Library and Information Services in 1990Kids need …preparation to use technology …equal access to marketplace of

ideas …ability to think critically …ability to communicate effectively



White House Conference on Library and Information Services in 1990Kids need …preparation to live in a multicultural

world …desire and ability to become

lifelong learners …creative ability to dream a better

world


Intellectual Freedom as Library Policy

Obligations that increase access to preserve the values of one’s

profession ALA Library Bill of Rights ALA Code of Ethics ASIST Code of Ethics



to preserve the values of one’s profession Selection v. censorship

Asheim (1954)



Research on censorship and intellectual freedom ambivalence of librarians (Serebnick 1979) frequency of censorship in schools

(Association of American Publishers 1981); (Hopkins 1993)



Major concerns of those who wish to censor materials Offensive subjects

Sexual content Violent content Offensive language



Major concerns of those who wish to censor materials, cont’d. Concern with formats Concern for children

State laws



The World Wide Web and the Debate over Filtering CIPA Filters

Keyword or blocking software Site blocking



Filters, cont’d. Concerns

Overblocking Underblocking Subjective and discriminatory judgment



Filters; Concerns, cont’d. Susceptibility to errors Vulnerability to dismantling Creates computer problems Privacy



Support for filters Internet contains access to sites that are

violent, hateful, and sexually explicit Filters are most feasible way (Burt 1997)



Opposition to filters ALA

Resolutions Policies Strategies


Information Policies of the American Library Association

ALA Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC) Created in 1940 Purpose to promote and protect values of

Library Bill of Rights



Office of Intellectual Freedom (OIF) Created in 1967 Established to relieve administrative burden

of IFC and to coordinate intellectual freedom activities.



Philosophical foundations Library Bill of Rights

1939 first adoption, numerous revisions Six sections



Library Bill of Rights Section 1

select materials for entire community reject censoring based on author characteristics




select materials with wide array of viewpoints reject censoring based on doctrinal disapproval of

content



Library Bill of Rights Sections 3 and 4

reject censorship cooperate with others to fight abridgement of free

speech




provide materials and services to all individuals




permit equitable access to library facilities



Library Bill of Rights (LBR) Supporting documents and interpretations

of LBR to guide practice Freedom to Read Statement Intellectual Freedom Statement Freedom to View Statement



Library Bill of Rights (LBR) Supporting documents and interpretations

of LBR to guide practice, cont’d. Privacy: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of

Rights Intellectual Freedom Principles for Academic

Libraries: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights



Access issues Restricted Access to Library Materials Free Access to Libraries for Minors

Library does not serve in loco parentis Access for Children and Young People to

Videotapes and Other Nonprint Formats



Access issues, cont’d. Economic Barriers to Information Access Access to Library Resources and Services

Regardless of Gender or Sexual Orientation Access to Electronic Information, Services,

and Networks



Access issues, cont’d. Access to Resources and Services in the

School Library Media Program Statement on Library Use of Filtering

Software Resolution Reaffirming the Principles of

Intellectual Freedom in the Aftermath of Terrorist Attacks



Access issues, cont’d. Resolution on the USA Patriot Act and

Related Measures That Infringe on the Rights of Library Users



Modification of materials Expurgation of Library Materials Statement on Labeling



Administrative aspects Challenged Materials Policy on the Confidentiality of Library

Circulation Records Guidelines for the Development and

Implementation of Policies, Regulations, and Procedures Affecting Access to Library Materials, Services, and Facilities



An International Declaration IFLA Glasgow Declaration, 2002



Summary

Chapter 5 Information Policy as Library Policy: Intellectual Freedom

Documents

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