Intellectual Freedom Products

A commitment to intellectual freedom transforms your library. ALA actively advocates and educates in defense of intellectual freedom—the rights of library users to read, seek information, and speak freely as guaranteed by the First Amendment. Intellectual freedom is a core value of the library profession, and a basic right in our democratic society. A publicly supported library provides free, equitable, and confidential access to information for all people of its community.

Purchases and donations support the Office for Intellectual Freedom's work in defending and promoting the freedom to read.*

Censored Books and Authors Poster

Who is the most challenged author? How is our freedom to read guaranteed by the First Amendment? What can readers do when there’s a challenge at their library?

This informational poster answers frequently asked questions about banned books in an easy-to-read format and covers a range of topics including banned authors, censorship trends, and intellectual freedom definitions.

13" x 38", $18

Free Your Mind Banned Book Bracelets

Inspire readers to explore new perspectives through the library’s collection. Each of these colorful bracelets are debossed with the phrase “Free Your Mind. Read a Banned Book.”

15/pack; 5 colors, 3 of each color, $13

Make Orwell Fiction Again Men's T-Shirt

Find even more "Make Orwell Fiction Again" products on the ALA Graphics Gift Shop.

Fruit of the Loom, 100% pre-shrunk cotton, sizes S - 6XL, $18.99

Words Have Power Women's T-Shirt

Find even more "Words Have Power" products on the ALA Graphics Gift Shop.

Fruit of the Loom, 100% pre-shrunk cotton, sizes S - 6XL, $18.99

Intellectual Freedom Stories from a Shifting Landscape

This resource from Val Nye, gathers real-world stories of intellectual freedom in action to illuminate the difficulties, triumphs, and occasional setbacks of advocating for free and equal access to information for all people in a shifting landscape.

208 pages, softcover, $49.99

Teaching Banned Books: 32 Guides for Children and Teens, Second Edition

In this book of discussion guides, thoroughly updated and expanded to include genres such as graphic novels and nonfiction, award-winning champion of children's literature Pat Scales shows that there is a way to teach these books while respecting all views.

200 pages, softcover, $49.99

Library Bill of Rights Poster

This revamped poster cites the newly adopted Article VII, that addresses the privacy and confidentiality rights of library users.

22" x 34", $16

Make Orwell Fiction Again Tote

Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell is set in a dystopian society where independent thought is a crime, history is rewritten, and surveillance is omnipresent. Did you know that the classic novel has also been threatened with censorship? Draw attention to privacy and censorship concerns with this “eye-catching” bag — the perfect size to carry around your banned and challenged titles.

12 oz., 100% cotton canvas tote, 24" navy handles; 15" W x 16" H x 4" D, $16

Beyond Banned Books: Defending Intellectual Freedom throughout Your Library

This resource from Kristin Pekoll, Assistant Director of the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF), uses specific case studies to offer practical guidance on safeguarding intellectual freedom related to library displays, programming, and other librarian-created content. This guide will ensure that libraries are prepared to protect diverse voices from censorship while fostering more inclusive institutions that represent and welcome all people and ideas.

144 pages, softcover, $54.99

Reading Dangerously

“Reading Dangerously” commemorates the Freedom to Read Foundation's fifty years of advocacy, education, and litigation through essays, oral histories, images, and book excerpts. “Reading Dangerously” features a foreward by author Neil Gaiman and an essay by former director James LaRue that looks forward to the foundation’s next 50 years. *Proceeds from this book support the Freedom to Read Foundation.

144 pages, softcover, $20

Resource Guide - Banned Books: Defending Our Freedom to Read

Compiled by First Amendment advocate Robert P. Doyle, this banned books resource guide is packed with challenge entries, histories of core documents such as the Library Bill of Rights and First Amendment, infographics, timelines and explanations of legal cases. By offering straightforward, easily accessible information, “Banned Books: Defending Our Freedom to Read” becomes an indispensable resource for educators and researchers. It presents a visual narrative of the current state of literary censorship in America, while encouraging readers to explore the past and advocate for the future.

308 pages, softcover, $15

I Read Banned Books Bumper Sticker

Reading banned books benefits our empathy, our worldview, and our democracy. Make a powerful statement about your freedom to read with this colorful vinyl sticker.

6" x 4", $4

Freedom of Speech Buttons

Wear these buttons to celebrate your freedom of speech!

1.5" x 1.5", 18/pack, $18

Foundations of Information Policy

Scholars Paul T. Jaeger and Natalie Greene Taylor provide a much-needed introduction to the myriad information policy issues that impact information professionals. They elucidate the specific laws, regulations, and policies that impact information, including net neutrality, filtering, privacy, openness, and much more. And explore the intersections of information policy with human rights, civil rights, and professional ethics.

232 pages, softcover, $64.99

Banned Books Bracelet

Designed by Carolyn Forsman, the bracelet features The Adventures of Captain Underpants, King & King, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, In the Night Kitchen, Athletic Shorts, and Blubber.

5-1/2" circumference, $12

True Stories of Censorship Battles in America's Libraries

Intellectual freedom is a core value of librarianship, but fighting to keep controversial materials on the shelves can sometimes feel like a lonely battle. And not all censorship controversies involve the public objecting to a book in the collection—libraries are venues for displays and meetings, and sometimes library staff themselves are tempted to preemptively censor a work. Those facing censorship challenges can find support and inspiration in this book, which compiles dozens of stories from library front lines.

200 pages, softcover, $58 (eBook)

Choose Privacy Webcam Covers

The freedom to receive ideas anonymously is at the heart of individual liberty in a democracy. Protect your privacy (as well as your lens) with these adhesive webcam covers. The webcam covers attach to most computers, laptops, smart TVs, and monitors. For more resources and program ideas, visit chooseprivacyeveryday.org.

1.5" x ⁵⁄₈", 12/pack, $17

Intellectual Freedom Manual

Since it was established in 1967, ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) has championed the rights of library users to seek and receive information on all subjects from all points of view without restriction and without having the subject of one's interest examined or scrutinized by others. 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.

296 pages, softcover, $70 (eBook)

A History of ALA Policy on Intellectual Freedom: A Supplement to the Intellectual Freedom Manual

Collecting several key historical documents and policy statements, this supplement traces a history of ALA's commitment to fighting censorship. An introductory essay by Judith Krug and Candace Morgan, updated by former OIF Director Barbara Jones, sketches out an overview of ALA policy on intellectual freedom.

172 pages, softcover, $85 (eBook)

The Library's Legal Answers for Meeting Rooms and Displays

When your public library invites the community to its spaces—a meeting room, an auditorium, bulletin board, or exhibit case—you take on the responsibility to uphold First Amendment rights of free expression. Grounded in the authors' expert guidance, this eBook, by Mary Minow, Tomas A. Lipinski, and Gretchen McCord, will give your staff the knowledge they need to keep your library out of messy legal problems. The convenient Q&A format offers straightforward answers to common situations backed up with case citations for your trustees and attorneys to feel confident serving your community while staying within the law.

48 pages, eBook, $25