Protecting intellectual freedom
Contact: Jill Davis
ALA Editions
800-545-2433 ext. 5418
NEWS
For Immediate Release
April 28, 2009
CHICAGO –
ALA Editions, the publishing imprint of the American Library Association, is   releasing Â
“Protecting Intellectual Freedom in Your School Library” by Pat R. Scales for the Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) and
“Protecting Intellectual Freedom in Your Academic Library” by Barbara M. Jones for OIF. Each book is tailored to a specific library environment and presents
- Case studies that provide narrative treatment of scenarios in which intellectual freedom is at risk
- Easy and motivating ways to prepare new hires for handling intellectual freedom issues
- Sidebars that offer sample policies, definitions of key terms and analysis of important statutes and decisions
- Detailed information on how to handle challenges to materials in a collectionÂ
Scales is a retired middle and high school librarian who is currently president of the Association of Library Service for Children (ALSC), a division of the ALA. She is the author of “Teaching Banned Books: Twelve Guides for Young Readers” and serves as a spokesperson for First Amendment issues as they relate to children and young adults.
Since the 1980s, Jones has worked for intellectual freedom in a multitude of roles, most recently as the first chair of the recently created ACRL Intellectual Freedom Committee. Jones has spoken to library, general academic, legislative and community groups about the First Amendment in libraries of all types.
OIF is charged with implementing the intellectual freedom policies of the ALA 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.
ALA Store purchases fund advocacy, awareness and accreditation programs for library professionals worldwide.
ALA Editions develops resources for the library and information services community. Tens of thousands of librarians are helped and supported professionally each year by 30 or more new and revised titles. ALA authors are leaders across their fields, and their books are distributed and valued worldwide.
