Intellectual Freedom Principles for Academic Libraries: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights

Academic libraries must prioritize intellectual freedom when developing collections, services, and instruction. This supports efforts to ensure that information and resources are provided fairly and without bias or restriction, supporting education and research.

This interpretation explains how intellectual freedom applies to academic libraries. These principles should be included in all relevant library policies.

1. Follow the Library Bill of Rights. The principles in the Library Bill of Rights provide a crucial foundation for building collections, services, and policies for the entire academic community.
2. Protect library users’ privacy. Libraries should have policies to minimize collection and retention of borrowing records and other personal use information, and to keep that information confidential.
3. Build diverse, unbiased collections. Library collections should support the institution’s instruction and research programs. Personal values should not influence what is selected. Collections must include diverse perspectives, even on controversial topics.
4. Preserve and replace materials fairly. Libraries should maintain a balanced collection. Materials may be removed from the collection for a variety of reasons, including withdrawal, routine wear and tear, theft, or damage. Particular care may be needed with controversial materials which may be targeted by individuals or groups based on ideology. Library workers should take a thoughtful and intentional approach to maintaining the collection, considering all forms of material loss or removal.
5. Ensure licensing agreements uphold access. Licensing agreements should align with the Library Bill of Rights and maximize access.
6. Provide open internet access. Academic libraries should provide easy access to an open, unfiltered internet. Content filtering and restrictions go against the library’s mission to offer a wide range of information for research and learning. These limits violate intellectual freedom.
7. Support free expression. Library policies and exhibits should support freedom of information and creative expression.
8. Make library spaces available to all. Library spaces should be available to all academic users, regardless of their research topic or discussion subject. Any restrictions should be based on space availability, not content, and should follow library policy. Restrictions on access may be required by local, state, or federal law. Spaces include:
   • meeting rooms;
   • research carrels;
   • exhibit spaces; and
   • other facilities.
9. Minimize service fees. Library services should be free whenever possible. If a fee is required, a free or low-cost alternative should be provided.
10. Guarantee equal access to information. Library services should ensure equal access to information for all in the academic community. No one should face discrimination based on:
    • race;
    • age;
    • values;
    • gender or gender identity;
    • sexual orientation;
    • cultural or ethnic background;
    • physical, sensory, cognitive, or learning disability;
    • economic status;
    • religious beliefs; or
    • views.
11. Establish a fair collection development policy and reconsideration process. Libraries should have a clear, fair process for handling all requests to remove or add resources, exhibits, or services. This process should prioritize the research and academic needs of users inside and outside of the institution.
12. Seek institutional endorsement. Institutional governing bodies, such as the faculty senate, should endorse these statements.

Approved by ACRL Board of Directors: June 29, 1999 and adopted July 12, 2000 by the ALA Council; amended on July 1, 2014; and June 29, 2025.