AASL Resource Guides for School Library Media Program Development

Intellectual Freedom

For related information on privacy, please visit the Ethical Issues Resource Guide.

General | Book and Material Challenges/Censorship | Filtering (Internet) | Organizations and Groups Supporting Intellectual Freedom

General

Intellectual Freedom Manual. 7th ed. Chicago: American Library Association, 2006. ISBN 0-8389-3561-3

This "bible" for intellectual freedom includes the guidelines, policies, and interpretations of the Library Bill of Rights as well as the ALA Code of Ethics and the Freedom to Read statement. Additionally, experts address the historical and current issues of libraries, access, and the First Amendment. Available from the ALA Online Store at http://www.alastore.ala.org or call 866-SHOP ALA (866-746-7252).

Reichman, Henry. Censorship and Selection: Issues and Answers for Schools. 3rd ed. Chicago: American Library Association, 2001. ISBN 0-8389-0798-9

Updated to include Internet filtering and other more recent censorship issues, Reichman addresses preparing a selection policy, preparing for challenges, offers recommendations for handling challenges in a variety of areas in schools, and includes information on selected legal cases.

"Intellectual Freedom 101" Knowledge Quest 36 no. 2, November/December 2007

Knowledge Quest and KQWeb includes articles, interviews, research, and links to intellectual freedom resources of primary interest to school library media specialists.

ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom

Library Bill of Rights

Access to Resources and Services in the School Library Media Program: An  Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights

Access to Electronic Information, Services, and Networks: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights

Questions and Answers on "Access to Electronic Information, Services, and Networks"

Challenged Materials: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights

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Book and Material Challenges/Censorship

Features more that three dozen "hot button" books for children. Up-to-date reference on why and how specific books are being challenged, and where to turn for support if a title in your collection is challenged. Available from the ALA Online Store at http://www.alastore.ala.org or call 866-SHOP ALA (866-746-7252).

Doyle, Robert P. Banned Books: 2007 Resource Guide. Chicago: American Library Association, 2007.

Updated every three years, the guide includes a listing of books considered dangerous and challenged with the date, location, and rationale; a listing of notable First Amendment cases, quotations relating to the First Amendment, and an action guide of suggested activities for promoting intellectual freedom, a bibliography of First Amendment resources, and recommendations for dealing with concerns about library resources.

Hopkins, Dianne McAfee School Library Media Centers and Intellectual Freedom.

Originally published in the 5th edition of the Intellectual Freedom Manual, Dianne Hopkin's essay touches on access to the school library media program, the collection development program, procedures, challenges, reasons for challenges, and promoting intellectual freedom.

Lesesne, Terri S., and Rosemary Chance for the Young Adult Library Services Association. Hit List for Young Adults 2: Frequently Challenged Books. Chicago: American Library Association, 2002. ISBN 0-8389-0835-7

Features 20 "hot button" books including 11 new titles. With a profile of each book that includes its plot and characters, related materials and published reviews, awards and prizes, and Web and audiovisual resources to prepare you to answer even the toughest attacks. Available from the ALA Online Store at http://www.alastore.ala.org or call 866-SHOP ALA (866-746-7252).

Reichman, Henry. Censorship and Selection: Issues and Answers for Schools. 3rd ed. Chicago: American Library Association, 2001. ISBN 0-8389-0798-9

Updated to include Internet filtering and other more recent censorship issues, Reichman addresses preparing a selection policy, preparing for challenges, offers recommendations for handling challenges in a variety of areas in schools, and includes information on selected legal cases.

Banned Books Week

Censorship in the Schools

Coping with Challenges: Strategies and Tips for Dealing with Challenges to Library Materials: School Libraries

Workbook for Selection Policy Writing PDF or HTML

The First Amendment First Aid Kit

Maintained by Random House Children’s Books, the site has resources and strategies to assist the librarian and the classroom teacher in teaching intellectual freedom, helping to handle challenges, and includes author’s comments on censorship.

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Filtering (Internet)

Asheim, Lester. “Not Censorship But Selection,” originally published in the Wilson Library Bulletin, 28 (September 1953), 63-67.

Asheim's essay was written over fifty years ago and remains a seminal work on the differences between the act of selection and censorship as applied to libraries.

The Freedom to Read Foundation.

Using the tag line “Free People Read Freely, the Freedom to Read Foundation was established to promote and defend First Amendment rights of library users. It serves as the “legal defense arm” of the American Library Association and regularly supports litigation defending the First Amendment in the courts.

“Kids, Know Your Rights! A Young Person’s Guide to Intellectual Freedom”

This short publication developed by the Intellectual Freedom Committee 2005-2007 of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) explains the concept of intellectual freedom, responsibilities of libraries to uphold the First Amendment,  students’ rights related to reading and privacy, recommended titles of non-fiction and fiction on free speech, censorship, and the Bill of Rights.

“What is Intellectual Freedom?” (brochure)

This brochure was created by the AASL Intellectual Freedom Committee in 2008 and is available for download, duplication, and distribution. It describes why intellectual freedom is important in a school library media program, the difference between selection and censorship, what to do before a challenge occurs, where to obtain assistance during a challenge, why schools filter and how it affects students intellectual freedom, and how the ALA Code of Ethics affects school library media specialists.

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Organizations and Groups Supporting Intellectual Freedom

Electronic Frontier Foundation. The EFF is an international nonprofit advocacy and legal organization with the stated purpose of being dedicated to preserving free speech rights in the context of today's digital age. The site provides updates on current legal cases, issues alerts, an issues-related blog, and an email newsletter.

American Civil Liberties Union. The ACLU defends our first amendment freedoms by mounting legal challenges to statutes, policies, and practices around the U.S. that threaten individual liberties.The site includes information and a guide to web resources on a wide range of controversial issues confronting the U.S.

Freedom to Read Foundation. The FRF, with the motto "Free People Read Freely," was established "to promote and defend the right ...of all individuals to express their ideas without governmental interference, and to read and listen to the ideas of others." Sponsors programs, awards, podcasts, and other resources.

As If! Young Adult Authors Supporting Intellectual Freedom. An intellectual freedom blog focusing on challenges to young adult literature and their outcomes. Includes comments and discussion from YA authors.

National Council of Teachers of English Anti-Censorship Center. NCTE offers advice, helpful documents such as the "Students' Right to Read", and other support at no cost to educators faced with challenges to literary works, films and videos, drama productions, or teaching methods.