Intellectual Freedom ABLE: Administering Better Libraries—Educate Module 5.
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Transcript of 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
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.
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
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