Pre-Orders Open for 11th Edition of Intellectual Freedom Manual

The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (ALA OIF) is proud to announce the spring 2026 release of the comprehensively updated 11th Edition of the Intellectual Freedom Manual, available for pre-order now in the ALA Store.

Edited by award-winning librarian and advocate Erin Jones in collaboration with OIF and intellectual freedom experts from throughout the library ecosystem, the newest edition of this essential resource offers clear, up-to-date insights on protecting intellectual freedom, fighting censorship, safeguarding privacy, and many other key intellectual freedom topics.

"The eleventh edition of the Intellectual Freedom Manual is revised for everyday library work and supports library workers facing daily challenges,” said Jones. “With personal stories, legal analysis, and policy worksheets, this manual is designed to be used, not just referenced."

When someone faces a difficult intellectual freedom issue, they usually don’t have time to wade through dense text to find the answers they need. Designed as a real-world reference, OIF’s Intellectual Freedom Manual provides trusted, comprehensive guidance for every library worker, from volunteer to the director, in plain language. Whether you’re developing or reviewing policies, on-boarding new staff or trustees, responding to challenges and controversies, or studying librarianship, you’ll find this a vital tool, with features such as

• contributions that center the voices of Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) and LGBTQIA+ people, who are often targeted by censorship efforts;

• chapters that begin with an overview explaining the big ideas and offering reflection questions;

• an introduction to intellectual freedom and why it matters, drawing on ALA's core intellectual freedom documents and supported with adaptable policy worksheets;

• information and best practice guidance on key topics such as access, children and youth, censorship and internet filtering, collection development and management, copyright, meeting rooms and exhibit spaces, library programming, politics and religion, privacy, and visits and requests from law enforcement;

• stories from those whose lives have been impacted by intellectual freedom, showing how library policies shape culture, protect staff and users, and affect real people;

• concise breakdowns of intellectual freedom issues from legal experts, helping you understand the laws and how they apply in real situations;

• practical advice on advocating for intellectual freedom, getting help when challenges arise, lobbying, and working with your elected officials;

• a thorough index to help you quickly find the information you need; and

• a helpful glossary and selected bibliography of additional resources.

This must-have for library workers will ship in Spring 2026. Preorders can be placed at https://alastore.ala.org/ifm11 

About the Office for Intellectual Freedom

The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) is charged with implementing the intellectual freedom policies of the American Library Association through educating librarians and the public about 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. In order to meet its educational goals, the Office undertakes information, support, and coordination activities. ALA.org/OIF