Office for Intellectual Freedom

Established December 1, 1967, the Office for Intellectual Freedom is charged with implementing ALA policies concerning the concept of intellectual freedom as embodied in the Library Bill of Rights, the Association’s basic policy on free access to libraries and library materials.  The goal of the office is to educate librarians and the general public about the nature and importance of intellectual freedom in libraries.

Support

• OIF provides confidential support to anyone addressing a challenge to materials, programming, policy, or services. Our challenge report form allows you to report censorship and request assistance with the challenge.  Alternatively, you can send email to oif@ala.org or call 312-280-4221 to request assistance.
• Our free consulting services help you prepare for censorship and implement vital intellectual freedom best practices within your library or school. We create and edit policies, strategize plans for working with communities and families, and provide workshops and programs about the First Amendment, privacy laws, internet filtering, and intellectual freedom.

Training

• Subject matter experts from the Office for Intellectual Freedom are available to speak at workshops and professional development sessions on topics such as collection development, professional ethics, and law and policy concerning intellectual freedom, censorship, privacy, internet filtering, the First Amendment and more.  

• We create webinars designed to educate librarians and the public about the nature and importance of intellectual freedom in libraries, often focusing on single topics, such as collection development, book challenges, or meeting rooms.. Our webinars are recorded. After the live event, many of the recordings are accessible at the OIF YouTube channel.or available through ALA E-learning.

Public Awareness

• Banned Books Week in the fall draws attention to the harms of censorship and the benefits of unrestricted reading.
• Unite Against Book Bans is ALA's national initiative to empower readers everywhere to stand together in the fight against censorship.
• With a diverse group of librarians and writers, OIF publishes an engaging Intellectual Freedom Blog with a huge selection of topics and viewpoints. Every Friday, OIF News Editors, publish a free weekly compilation of news about censorship cases, and articles about privacy, internet filtering, academic freedom and the First Amendment. Anyone can subscribe to receive the Intellectual Freedom News in their email inbox on Fridays.
• OIF releases an annual list of the Top Ten Most Challenged Books during National Library Week in April using its censorship database.
• We produce and market products in the ALA Store to create awareness of intellectual freedom and Banned Books Week.

Publications

• We collaborate with intellectual freedom leaders to continually provide updated resources on a broad range of intellectual freedom issues, including censorship, material challenges, collection policies, privacy, internet filtering, academic freedom and equal access to information.

• Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy (JIFP) includes substantive essays, peer-reviewed articles, book reviews, legal briefs, and opinion pieces. The $50 annual subscription allows readers to review the latest book banning incidents, court rulings, and legal controversies.

• The 10th edition of the Intellectual Freedom Manual is more than just an invaluable compendium of guiding principles and policies; it’s also an indispensable resource for day-to-day guidance on maintaining free and equal access to information for all people, including
  • 34 ALA policy statements and documents, 17 new or updated for this edition, addressing patron behavior, internet use, copyright, exhibits and use of meeting spaces
  • At-a-glance lists summarizing key issues such as access, challenges and censorship, access by minors to controversial materials, and advocacy
  • Explanations of legal points in clear, easy-to-understand language, alongside case citations
  • Numerous checklists to help readers stay organized

Our Community

• ALA Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC)
  A committee of ALA’s Council responsible for safeguarding the rights of library users in accordance with the First Amendment. The IFC page includes its official charge, roster, current activities, and discussion of draft documents.
  • IFC Privacy Subcommittee

• ALA Committee on Professional Ethics (COPE)
  A committee of ALA’s Council charged with augmenting the Code of Ethics through interpretations and guiding documents. The COPE page includes its official charge, roster with term dates, and current activities and reports.

• Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT)
  A grassroots membership group of more than 1,000 intellectual freedom advocates. The IFRT executive board organizes programs, events, and awards. For $15 per year, all IFRT members receive free intellectual freedom eLearning.

• Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF)
  FTRF was established in 1969 as a First Amendment legal defense organization affiliated with the American Library Association. FTRF is a separate corporation from the American Library Association, working in close liaison with the ALA.

• State Intellectual Freedom Network (SIFnet)
  OIF hosts a series of online “State of the States” virtual meetings for Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC) chairs from ALA Chapters and AASL Affiliates. These meetings are an opportunity to promote communication and discuss state, local, and national intellectual freedom issues.

Staff

For information on libraries and the First Amendment, library policy, filtering, meeting rooms and user privacy::
Deborah Caldwell-Stone
Director
(312) 280-4221
dstone@ala.org

For challenge support, information about book challenges, OIF publications and journals, and the State Intellectual Freedom Network:

Eric Stroshane
312-280-4221 estroshane@ala.org

For webinars, professional development courses, and other educational opportunities related to intellectual freedom::

Joyce McIntosh
(312) 280-4221
jmcintosh@ala.org

For Banned Books Week, Unite Against Book Bans, Social Media, advocacy and outreach:
Betsy Gomez
(312) 280-4221
bgomez@ala.org

For Freedom to Read Foundation and Merritt Fund Support: 
Karen Gianni
(312) 280-4221
kgianni@ala.org

State Intellectual Freedom Helpline Grants

Date posted: April 3, 2024

State library and school library association chapters and state library agencies are encouraged to apply to receive a $10,000 grant to establish or bolster a statewide Intellectual Freedom Helpline. The online application is available here.

Questions? Contact the American Library Association (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom at 312-280-4221, or oif@ala.org.

APPLICATION RECEIPT DEADLINE: 11:59pm Eastern on July, 14 2024.

I. Project Overview

The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (ALA OIF) is seeking state library associations or agencies wishing to either establish an Intellectual Freedom Helpline (IFH) in their state or expand upon the organization’s existing efforts to support librarians and educators addressing censorship in their institutions. The proposed initiative could be led by a state or school library association’s Intellectual Freedom Committee or similar working group. 

The goal of this project is to establish a state IFH to operate a confidential reporting system that will help connect those experiencing censorship attempts with professional support, in-state peers, and referral to ALA OIF as appropriate. They will also document reported censorship attempts and share data with ALA OIF for inclusion in ALA’s database of confidential reports documenting censorship attempts nationwide.

What is an Intellectual Freedom Helpline?

A support network that librarians and educators in your state can turn to for guidance when they’re experiencing attempts to censor materials or services. An IFH is run by trained volunteers who will follow a protocol you establish with guidance from ALA OIF, utilizing a toolkit created and vetted by individuals who have operated Helplines elsewhere. An IFH connects people with the peer support and resources they need to successfully defend their community members’ freedom to read and to stay safe as they do this important work.

Convening

In addition to operational funding, grant recipients will be able to send IFH volunteer leaders to an in-person training led by ALA OIF staff and subject matter experts during a national convening. The convening of project leaders from the 10 states selected will take place with ALA staff in Chicago, IL, in October (date TBD). Travel expenses and lodging will be covered or reimbursed.

Available Support

• Access to a dedicated ALA Connect space for IFH peer support
• IFH toolkit developed and vetted by volunteers who have run successful Helplines
• Zoom meetings and consultations with OIF staff

Requirements for Recipients

• Establish protocol for escalating incidents to ALA OIF
• Report censorship data to ALA OIF
• Report censorship data to state library association IF Committee (if applicable)
• Commitment to maintaining the confidentiality of reports received and protecting the privacy and confidentiality of those receiving support
• Commitment not to provide legal advice
• Recruit and establish the initial pool of volunteers to manage the IFH and to serve as peer guides for those facing intellectual freedom challenges
• Develop resources to support the work of peer guides and a workflow for case management
• Create a system to coordinate documentation of requests received and coordinate pairing support recipients with peer guides
• Develop sustainability plan for recruitment/training of future volunteers
• Contribute lessons learned, promising practices, and resources to the shared IFH Toolkit
• Work within state school and library associations and state library agencies and in collaboration with state/regional/national school and library associations
• Submit semi-annual reports on IFH activity through the end of 2026
• Provide feedback on ALA-provided resources so support materials can be improved

II. Award Information

Ten associations and/or agencies will be selected to receive Intellectual Freedom Helpline grants to establish or expand a state intellectual freedom challenge support system. Award funds must be spent in support, development, and promotion of the project, but cannot be paid out to external parties to do or develop this work on behalf of the organization or agency.

Grant recipients will receive: 

• $10,000 in August, 2024, to support the development, promotion, and operation of an IF Help Network, during the initial two-year period of operation, and to establish a means to sustain the network over time 
• Access to a toolkit guiding the work of an IFH and documenting successful strategies and pitfalls
• Logistical and conceptual support from the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom throughout a two-year period

III. Eligibility

State library associations, state school library associations, ALA chapters and state library agencies in the United States are eligible to apply. 

A project leader from each selected organization and/or agency must attend an in-person convening at ALA headquarters in Chicago in October 2024 for training and coordination with ALA OIF staff.

Recipients will be required to attend a state or regional conference to present on and promote the work of your IFH. Grant funds can be used to defray any affiliated expenses.

IV. Application and Submission Information

State library associations, school library associations, and state library agencies are encouraged to apply starting in April, 2024. A link to apply and to the application instructions can be found here.

V. Application Review

Each application will be assessed by a review panel of librarians and ALA staff and evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Clarity and completeness of the application
• Quality of responses to application questions 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of reports received and the identities of individuals and institutions requesting support
• Capacity to conduct and maintain a state or regional IF Helpline
• Quality of marketing and outreach plans
• Demonstration of need

VI. Contact Us

If you have questions about the project or the application, contact the American Library Association Office for Intellectual Freedom at 312-280-4221, or oif@ala.org.