A History of ALA Policy on Intellectual Freedom

A History of ALA Policy on Intellectual Freedom
Author: Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF)
Publisher: American Library Association
Total Pages: 359
Release: 2015-07-01
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 0838913253

Collecting several key documents and policy statements, this supplement to the ninth edition of the Intellectual Freedom Manual traces a history of ALA’s commitment to fighting censorship. An introductory essay by Judith Krug and Candace Morgan, updated by OIF Director Barbara Jones, sketches out an overview of ALA policy on intellectual freedom. An important resource, this volume includes documents which discuss such foundational issues as The Library Bill of RightsProtecting the freedom to readALA’s Code of EthicsHow to respond to challenges and concerns about library resourcesMinors and internet activityMeeting rooms, bulletin boards, and exhibitsCopyrightPrivacy, including the retention of library usage records

Beyond Banned Books

Beyond Banned Books
Author: Kristin Pekoll
Publisher: American Library Association
Total Pages: 197
Release: 2019-05-01
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 0838918891

This resource from Pekoll, Assistant Director of the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF), uses specific case studies to offer practical guidance on safeguarding intellectual freedom related to library displays, programming, and other librarian-created content.

Intellectual Freedom for Teens

Intellectual Freedom for Teens
Author: Kristin Fletcher-Spear
Publisher: American Library Association
Total Pages: 184
Release: 2014-09
Genre: Education
ISBN: 0838912001

Year after year a majority of the titles on ALA’s Banned Books list, which compiles titles threatened with censorship, are either YA books or adult books that are frequently read by teens. It’s important for YA librarians to understand the types of challenges occurring in libraries around the nation and to be ready to deal with such challenges when they occur. The Young Adult Library Services (YALSA) has tailored this book specifically for these situations, providing much-needed guidance on the highly charged topic of intellectual freedom for teens. Among the issues addressed areHow to prepare yourself and your staff for potential challenges by developing a thoughtful selection policy and response planResources for help when a challenge occursThe art of crafting a defense for a challenged book, and pointers for effectively disseminating your response through the press and social mediaThe latest on intellectual freedom in the digital realm, including an examination of library technologyUsing examples of censorship battles in both school and public libraries to illustrate possible scenarios, this guidebook gives YA librarians the foreknowledge and support to ensure intellectual freedom for teens.

Banned Books

Banned Books
Author: Robert P. Doyle
Publisher:
Total Pages: 308
Release: 2017
Genre: Books and reading
ISBN: 9780838989623

Provides a framework for understanding censorship and the protections guaranteed to us through the first amendment. Interpretations of the uniquely American notion of freedom of expression -- and our freedom to read what we choose -- are supplemented by straightforward, easily accessible information that will inspire further exploration.

Protecting Intellectual Freedom in Your School Library

Protecting Intellectual Freedom in Your School Library
Author: Pat R. Scales
Publisher: American Library Association
Total Pages: 169
Release: 2009-03-02
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 0838935818

Contains scenarios that offer school librarians an overview of the intellectual freedom issues they may face and includes advice on how to handle them and interact with library patrons, covering materials selection, management, programs, access, labeling, privacy, and the Internet.

Teaching Banned Books

Teaching Banned Books
Author: Pat R. Scales
Publisher: American Library Association
Total Pages: 156
Release: 2001-06
Genre: Education
ISBN: 9780838908075

As a standard-bearer for intellectual freedom, the school librarian is in an ideal position to collaborate with teachers to not only protect the freedom to read but also ensure that valued books with valuable lessons are not quarantined from the readers for whom they were written.

Public Library Collections in the Balance

Public Library Collections in the Balance
Author: Jennifer Downey
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
Total Pages: 210
Release: 2017-07-25
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN:

A fascinating and informative read for librarians, library staff, and MLIS students, this book offers practical information and professional guidelines to examine current issues in censorship and libraries while also enabling readers to consider their own opinions about intellectual freedom. This book addresses contemporary issues in censorship and intellectual freedom and can serve as an invaluable resource for librarians and other library staff and as an eye-opening read for MLIS students. It covers the waterfront of intricate and thorny issues regarding intellectual freedom, including determining strategies for patron privacy, deciding how to filter public computers, handling challenges to items in a collection, and recognizing and eliminating under-the-radar self-censorship during collection development and weeding. Readers will also gain an understanding of the perils of over-reliance on community assessments and other evaluative tools and consider important concerns of public library employees, such as whether to restrict borrowing privileges of R-rated movies and M-rated video games to patrons of various ages, and the legalities that surround these questions. Each chapter blends instructive background narrative with practical advice, research findings, and relevant information about librarianship's professional guidelines, including the ALA's Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read Statement. Vignettes, "what would you do?" examples, effective nonconfrontational techniques for conflict resolution, and lists of tips and traps help readers to think critically about their own biases and rehearse possible responses to controversial situations. Librarians, library staff, and MLIS students can use this book for personal professional development, as supplemental reading for MLIS courses or professional training workshops, or as a resource for library policy-planning discussions.

Silenced in the Library

Silenced in the Library
Author: Zeke Jarvis
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
Total Pages: 317
Release: 2017-08-18
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1440843953

Censorship has been an ongoing phenomenon even in "the land of the free." This examination of banned books across U.S. history examines the motivations and effects of censorship, shows us how our view of right and wrong has evolved over the years, and helps readers to understand the tremendous importance of books and films in our society. Books ranging from classics such as A Farewell to Arms, Lord of the Rings, The Catcher in the Rye, and The Color Purple as well as best-selling books such as Are You There, God? It's Me Margaret, titles in the Harry Potter series, and various books by bestselling novelist Stephen King have all been on the banned books list. What was the content that got them banned, who wanted them banned, and did the ban have the desired effect of minimizing the number of people who read the title-or did it have the opposite effect, inadvertently creating an even larger readership for the book? Silenced in the Library: Banned Books in America provides a comprehensive examination of the challenges to major books as well as the final results of these selections being deemed "unfit for public consumption." Included in its discussion are explanations of the true nature of the objections along with the motives of the authors, publishers, and major proponents of the books. Content is organized based on why the books were banned, such as sexual content, drug use, or religious objections. This approach helps readers to see trends in how people have approached the challenge of evaluating what is "proper" and shows how our societal consensus of what is acceptable has evolved over the years. Readers will come away with a fuller appreciation of the immense power of words on a page-or an eReader device-to inflame and outrage, influence opinion, incite thought, and even change the course of history.