New ALSC electronic publication helps children understand intellectual freedom issues
Contact: Laura Schulte-Cooper
312-280-2165
lschulte@ala.org
For Immediate Release
June 19, 2007
New ALSC electronic publication helps children understand intellectual freedom issues
CHICAGO - The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has just released “Kids, Know Your Rights! A Young Person’s Guide to Intellectual Freedom.” The four-page, full-color PDF brochure is free to download at: http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/alscpubs/KidsKnowYourRights.pdf.
Written by members of ALSC’s Intellectual Freedom Committee, the brochure speaks directly to kids in grades five and up, using simplified, kid-friendly language to tackle difficult, abstract ideas. After an introduction that explains intellectual freedom, the brochure forges ahead to discuss: challenges to the First Amendment; censorship, how it affects children and how they can defend their right to read; privacy and confidentiality; and respecting the opinions of others. A bibliography of suggested nonfiction and fiction titles for children on these subjects also is included.
“There has been a lack of accessible information available to young people about intellectual freedom and censorship,” said Kathleen T. Horning, ALSC President. “‘Kids, Know Your Rights!’ fills that void admirably, and we applaud the Intellectual Freedom Committee for their positive steps to educate young people of their rights and responsibilities.”
ALSC encourages librarians and educators to download, print and use “Kids, Know Your Rights!” with children and students in their community. It is an ideal giveaway for libraries that celebrate Banned Books Week and The September Project.
