Libraries and Intellectual Freedom - The First Amendment Encyclopedia The First Amendment’s right to freedom of expression encompasses intellectual freedom, which includes an individual’s right to receive information on a wide range of topics from a variety of viewpoints. Publicly funded libraries play an important role in facilitating this free and open access to information. (Photo via Pixabay, CC0) The First Amendment’s right to freedom of expression encompasses intellectual freedom, which includes an individual’s right to receive information on a wide range of topics from a variety of viewpoints. Library Bill of Rights affirms protection of First Amendment freedoms Publicly funded libraries play an important role in facilitating free and open access to information. As agents of the state, public librarians and state and local governing boards make and implement library policy under the Tenth Amendment’s recognition of state powers to protect the health, safety, welfare, and morals of their citizens. This article was originally published in 2009.
Intellectual Freedom: Issues and Resources | Advocacy, Legislation & Issues A commitment to intellectual freedom transforms your library. ALA actively advocates and educates in defense of intellectual freedom—the rights of library users to read, seek information, and speak freely as guaranteed by the First Amendment. Intellectual freedom is a core value of the library profession, and a basic right in our democratic society. A publicly supported library provides free, equitable, and confidential access to information for all people of its community. Assistance and Consultation The staff of the Office for Intellectual Freedom is available to answer questions or provide assistance to librarians, trustees, educators and the public about intellectual freedom issues and resources.
Rainbow Book Lists « Rainbow Book List Rainbow Book List Rainbow Book Lists The Rainbow Book List is released every January. Books on the list are published within the assigned calendar year or between July 1 and December 31 of the previous calendar year. 44 Responses to "Rainbow Book Lists" 1 | The Rainbow Project | Dear Bully: 70 Authors Tell Their Stories September 19, 2011 at 5:15 pm […] Here’s their bibliography of their top recommendations for young people interested in the topic for the past four years. Reply 2 | That GayYA Thing | Memoranda November 2, 2011 at 7:54 am […] American Library Association’s Rainbow Books lists for […] Reply 3 | Queer Romance | BlogTown February 17, 2012 at 2:50 pm […] are a few books that feature queer romance. Reply 4 | Rainbow Book List: LGBTQ books for teens « Erinn Batykefer, MLIS May 3, 2012 at 9:56 am […] a great tool for collection development and readers’ advisory for LGBTQ teens. Click HERE to access the list archives. Reply Reply Reply […] those materials! Reply Reply Reply Reply Reply Reply Reply
Access to Resources and Services in the School Library: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights - ALA The school library plays a unique role in promoting, protecting, and educating about intellectual freedom. It serves as a point of voluntary access to information and ideas and as a learning laboratory for students as they acquire critical thinking and problem-solving skills needed in a pluralistic society. Although the educational level and program of the school necessarily shape the resources and services of a school library, the principles of the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights apply equally to all libraries, including school libraries. Under these principles, all students have equitable access to library facilities, resources, and instructional programs. School librarians assume a leadership role in promoting the principles of intellectual freedom within the school by providing resources and services that create and sustain an atmosphere of free inquiry.
Copyright Tools | Advocacy, Legislation & Issues Copyright tools can help libraries and others to be more comfortable with their work to interpret the limitations and exceptions to the exclusive rights granted to the copyright holder under U.S. Copyright law. By exercising these valuable exceptions, we strengthen copyright’s primary purpose "to promote the progress of science and useful arts." Over the past several years, ALA has developed tools to educate libraries, librarians, and others about copyright. These tools – the Public Domain Slider, the Section 108 Spinner, the Fair Use Evaluator, and the Exceptions for Instructors eTool – are all available online for anyone to use. Public Domain Slider The Public Domain Slider is a tool to help determine the copyright status of a work that is first published in the U.S. Section 108 Spinner This simple tool can help you determine whether or not a particular reproduction is covered by this exemption. Exceptions for Instructors eTool Tool Modification
1000 Black Girl Books Resource Guide – GrassROOTS Community Foundation This resource guide was created in direct response to the multiple requests made by educators, parents and students. Like Marley Dias, so many of you have asked for books with black girls as the main characters. And because of you, we have received thousands of books. Here we are sharing with you the first 700 book titles. This resource includes words of welcome from Marley Dias, Creator of the #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign. As the President and Co-Founder of GrassROOTS Community Foundation, I have added a few words and call to action to the guide. We have reviewed the titles and descriptions of books to ensure that they fit the criterion of having a black girl as the main characters. Each month we will update the list and continue to serve as an information repository for Black Girl Books. If you know of a black girl book, not listed here, please send us a copy so we can add it to our collection. GrassROOTS Community Foundation 59 Main Street Suite 323 West Orange, NJ 07052 Thank you.
In the News: Librarians could be jailed and fined under a proposed censorship law A bill pending in Missouri's legislature takes aim at libraries and librarians who are making "age-inappropriate sexual material" available to children. The measure, championed by Ben Baker, a Republican lawmaker, calls for establishing review boards who would determine whether materials in libraries contain or promote "nudity, sexuality, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, or sadomasochistic abuse." In addition, the boards, which would be comprised of parents, would root out materials lacking "serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value." Librarians who defy the review boards by buying and lending such materials would be subject to misdemeanor charges, fines upward of US$500, and a potential jail sentence up to one year. As a librarian, and now as an educator who teaches aspiring librarians, I see this bill as the latest chapter in a long history of books being banned from public and school libraries. Censorship and book banning J.K. A profession Librarians are professionals.
School Librarians as Learning Leaders 2016-2017 AASL president Audrey Church’s presidential initiative focused on furthering administrators’ understanding of the key role that strong school libraries and certified school librarians play in student learning. Members of the Presidential Initiative Task Force curated selected quality resources that demonstrate the important instructional role of librarians in 21st century schools. Please utilize these products created by the Task Force to inform principals and other stakeholders that school librarians are learning leaders. June 2017 AASL Advocacy & Legislation Coalition Call ArchiveAudrey and Presidential Initiative Task Force Members Deb Levitov, Michelle Folk, and Priscille Dando introduce the initiative and resources. #SchoolLibrariansTransformStudentLearning #AdvocacyBeginsWithEachOfUs
Reconsideration of Materials - Athens High School Library Requests for Reconsideration of Materials Censorship leaves students with an inadequate and distorted picture of the ideals, values, and problems of their culture. Despite a sound book selection policy for the selection of worthwhile books for students to read, occasional objections to a work will undoubtedly be made. Books are potentially open to criticism in one or more of these general areas: treatment of minorities, ideologies of love and sex, and use of language not acceptable to some people as well as other concerns. Suggestion for adding resources or reconsidering resources will be made in writing. See Appendix H: Request for Reconsideration of Challenged Materials Request for Informal Reconsideration 1. 2. 3. Request for Formal Reconsideration 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Source: See Appendix H: Request for Reconsideration of Challenged Material
In the News: Up to the Challenge When I worked as a school librarian at Little Elementary in Arlington, Texas, I was terrified of having a book challenged. Sometimes I would wake up at night worrying. I was afraid a parent would be angry with me, and my principal would think I was a bad librarian. If you ever find yourself wide awake and troubled about possible challenges: Get out of bed, drink some water, and remember that you have nothing to fear—if you’re prepared before a complaint occurs. Build your foundation The first step is to be an excellent educator. The second step is to find the section in your district’s school library handbook on reconsideration of school library materials. The third step is to have a policy allowing all students the opportunity to come to the school library daily to check out books. Real-world applications You are likely to have five to 10 books to worry about. For example: A parent walks into the school library. Know how many challenges I had that moved up the chain of command?
School Libraries Transform Learning This digital magazine produced by AASL in partnership with American Libraries, is designed to be shared with parents, colleagues, administration, and policymakers. Available electronically or as a PDF download, this tool can open the door to discussions on the multiple ways school libraries transform learning. Articles "I'm an Expert" School Librarians Transform Learning Reimagining Advocacy for School Libraries "Do Kids Even Use the Library Anymore?" Extras Give printed copies to your stakeholders during your conversations! School Library Advocacy Packs These advocacy packs are intended to be used as tools to spread the word about the many ways school librarians are transforming teaching and learning. This pack includes: 25 copies of a limited print edition of “School Libraries Transform Learning,” an American Libraries Digital Supplement Assorted brochures from the “School Library Programs Improve Student Learning” series, also sponsored by BTSB 2015 | Item # 9200-2015 | Free.
Position Statements Skip to main content Position Statements The following position statement is currently under review to align with the National School Library Standards: Support for National Board of Professional Teaching Standards Certification Book: Protecting Intellectual Freedom and Privacy in Your School Library by Helen R. Adams - ABC-CLIO April 2013 Libraries Unlimited Paperback 978-1-61069-138-3 $55.00 Add to Cart eBook 978-1-61069-139-0 eBook Available from ABC-CLIOEmail ABC-CLIOorCall Your Preferred eBook Vendor for Pricing International Pricing Paperback: £43.00/48,00€/A$79.00 Written by a well-known intellectual freedom advocate, this book is a one-stop source for school librarians on intellectual freedom and privacy issues that blends principles with best practices. In order to sort out fact from fiction and become effective, critically thinking adults in a global society, children need access to diverse points of view from authoritative sources in their school libraries. Each of the nine chapters begins with an introductory essay examining the topic and concludes with a "key ideas" summary; a list of annotated resources to lead the reader to more information on the individual column topics; and discussion questions. Features Author Info Helen R. Reviews/Endorsements Reviews Look Inside
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records. Parents or eligible students have the right to inspect and review the student's education records maintained by the school. Schools may disclose, without consent, "directory" information such as a student's name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance.