Library Access and Representation for All Sexes, Gender Identities and Expressions, and Sexual Orientations: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights

American libraries operate within the framework of laws established by the U.S. Constitution and the First Amendment. The Library Bill of Rights outlines the principles that guide libraries in offering services, materials, resources, and programs. These principles allow libraries to offer a full range of information and ideas.

The American Library Association (ALA) maintains that libraries and library workers have a duty to resist efforts that exclude materials concerning someone’s:

• sex;
• gender identity;
• gender expression; or
• sexual orientation.

The ALA affirms that materials are protected by the Library Bill of Rights when they:

• focus on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual/aromantic (LGBTQIA+) topics;
• are created by LGBTQIA+ people; or
• include content about LGBTQIA+ life.

Library workers should provide inclusive collections and services that reflect the diversity of the world. Refusing to include or removing resources because of the sex, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation of its creator—or because the content covers LGBTQIA+ life—is censorship.

Libraries should offer services, materials, and programs that reflect diverse views on sex, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.² Removing or restricting resources about LGBTQIA+ life without following library policy violates the Library Bill of Rights.

Library resources and services must be available to all members of the community. Libraries cannot restrict access based on someone’s sex, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. Concerns, questions, or complaints about should follow the same policies and procedures used to reconsider other library resources.

Attempts to restrict or remove access to library services and resources must be resisted to protect First Amendment rights. Library workers have a duty to ensure that all users have free and equal access to all library services and materials. The ALA urges library workers to actively support the First Amendment rights of all library users, regardless of sex, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. 

1. “Evaluating Library Collections: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights,” adopted February 2, 1973, by the ALA Council; amended July 1, 1981; June 2, 2008; and June 25, 2019.

2. “Challenged Resources: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights,” adopted June 25, 1971, by the ALA Council; amended July 1, 1981; January 10, 1990; January 28, 2009; July 1, 2014; January 29, 2019; and May 29, 2025; “Meeting Rooms: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights,” adopted July 2, 1991, by the ALA Council; amended June 26, 2018; amended version rescinded August 16, 2018; amended January 29, 2019; and June 29, 2025; “Diverse and Inclusive Collections: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights,” adopted July 14, 1982, by the ALA Council; amended January 10, 1990; July 2, 2008; July 1, 2014 under the previous name “Diversity in Collection Development”; June 25, 2019 under the previous name “Diverse Collections”; and May 29, 2025.

Adopted June 30, 1993, by the ALA Council; amended July 12, 2000; June 30, 2004; July 2, 2008; January 28, 2020 under previous name "Access to Library Resources and Services Regardless of Sex, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, or Sexual Orientation”; and June 29, 2025.