Censorship by Altering Library Resources: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights

Former title, “Expurgation of Library Resources”

Altering library resources by deleting, editing, or removing content for the purpose of censorship violates the Library Bill of Rights.

Who might alter library resources for the purpose of censorship?

Resources might be altered by:

  • employees;
  • administrators;
  • governing authorities;
  • parent institutions (if any);
  • third-party vendors; or
  • library users.

What are some examples of altering library resources for the purpose of censorship?

  • obscuring words, passages, or images​​ in physical or digital resources;
  • removing or gluing together pages;
  • altering displays based on user complaints;
  • adding commentary in the margins; or
  • publishing a version of a material with changed language, without the approval of the creator.

Why is altering resources for the purpose of censorship harmful?

  • It denies access to the full work. Censorship removes or edits parts of a work, denying access to the full range of ideas it expresses.
  • It violates intellectual freedom. Suppressing information—especially under the belief that it is harmful to minors—goes against the Library Bill of Rights.
  • It may violate copyright law. Altering a work without permission from the rights holder can breach U.S. copyright law.

Preserving Original Works

Library workers do not have to remove or edit earlier versions of a work just because a rights holder decides to change future versions. In some cases, original versions of a work should be retained in order to preserve historical copies and prevent censorship. This should not interfere with a library’s regular collection maintenance and efforts to keep collections accurate and up to date, according to the library’s purpose.

Library workers should oppose altering resources in licensed collections. Any alteration of library resources limits access to ideas and information. This disregards users’ right to experience works in their original form.

Adopted February 2, 1973, by the ALA Council; amended July 1, 1981; January 10, 1990; July 2, 2008; July 1, 2014 under previous name “Expurgation of Library Resources”; and June 29, 2025.