Quick Links
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ALA Intellectual Freedom Q&ADefinitions, examples, and FAQs about censorship.
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ALA Freedom to Read StatementStatement first adopted in 1952 jointly by the ALA Council and the AAP Freedom to Read Committee.
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Banned & Challenged BooksFrom the Office for Intellectual Freedom of the American Library Association. Covers Banned Books Week, frequently challenged books, resources for librarians facing challenges.
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Book RésumésBook Résumés help teachers, librarians, parents, and community members defend books from censorship. They detail each title’s significance and educational value and are easy to share with administrators, book review committees, elected officials, and board members.
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Censorship throughout the CenturiesA timeline of US book bans and the fight for intellectual freedom.
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Conducting research through an anti-racism lensA guide from the University of Minnesota libraries for students, staff, and faculty who are incorporating an anti-racist lens at all stages of the research life cycle.
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The First AmendmentIn the United States, your right to read what you want is protected by the First Amendment.
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Journal of Intellectual Freedom and PrivacyA quarterly journal published by the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom, provides a forum for discourse on intellectual freedom and privacy issues arising in libraries, archives, and educational institutions.
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Notable First Amendment Court CasesSummaries of frequently cited First Amendment cases from the ALA.
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Beyond Banned Books
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Equitable access to information for all, including underserved populations, is a core value of librarianship. The growing awareness of where this inequality persists has led many professionals to take steps to advance social justice within their institutions, from creating book displays about the Black Lives Matter movement or LGBT History Month to hosting programs by potentially controversial speakers. But while libraries are often well-versed in protecting the right to read books, many lack policies and experience in addressing censorship of resources and services. This resource from 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. Essential for library directors, administrators, marketers, and programming staff, Beyond Banned Books spotlights case studies drawn from public libraries, schools, universities, and government agencies dealing with library displays, artwork, programs, bookmarks and reading lists, social media, and databases; summarizes possible complaints and controversies related to each area; draws connections between the intellectual freedom principles involved and associated legal issues, with relevant court opinions when possible; shares questions to consider when strengthening a library's defenses against censorship; discusses the importance of reporting challenges to OIF, and the professional and institutional support that OIF can provide when challenges arise; and includes key ALA policies on intellectual freedom as appendices. 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.
ISBN: 9780838918890Publication Date: 2019-05-01 -
Books Under Fire
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Many things have changed since ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) was founded in 1967, but not everything: the most beloved and popular children's books are still among the most frequent targets of censorship and outright bans. Limiting access to controversial titles such as Captain Underpants, The Dirty Cowboy, Blubber, or Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark or leaving them out of a library's collection altogether is not the answer to challenges. In this important book, Scales gives librarians the information and guidance they need to defend challenged books with an informed response while ensuring access to young book lovers. Spotlighting dozens of "hot button" titles written for young children through teens, this book Gives a profile of each book that covers its plot, characters, published reviews, awards and prizes, and author resources Recounts past challenges and how they were faced, providing valuable lessons for handling future situations, plus a list of other books challenged for similar reasons Provides discussion ideas for planning programming around banned books, whether in reading groups, classrooms, or other settings Includes an appendix of additional resources for librarians who find themselves enmeshed in a challenge With this guide at hand, library managers, children's and YA librarians, and other library staff will be prepared to champion intellectual freedom for young people.
ISBN: 9780838911099Publication Date: 2014-09-01 -
Intellectual Freedom Manual
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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 new edition of 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. Fortifying and emboldening professionals and students from across the library spectrum, this manual includes 34 ALA policy statements and documents, 17 new or updated for this edition, addressing patron behavior, internet use, copyright, exhibits, use of meeting spaces, and other common concerns At-a-glance lists summarizing key issues such as access, challenges and censorship, access by minors to controversial materials, and advocacy Explanations of legal points in clear, easy-to-understand language, alongside case citations Numerous checklists to help readers stay organized A glossary and selected bibliographyThis must-have tool will help librarians ensure that institutions of all kinds remain beacons of intellectual freedom.
ISBN: 0838913369Publication Date: 2015-04-20
Databases
Relevant databases for doing background research on the issue of banning/challenging books
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Credo Reference This link opens in a new window
The library subscribes to a small selection of handbooks, encyclopedias and dictionaries.
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Gale in Context Global Issues This link opens in a new windowIntegrating news, global viewpoints, reference materials, country information, primary source documents, videos, statistics, and more, Global Issues is updated daily and offers 250 country pages and more than 400 issue pages. Exclusive to Global Issues, more than 6,000 viewpoint commentaries provide background and guidance on significant topics like Food Security, Genocide, Human Rights, Extreme Weather, and more.
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ProQuest Historical Newspapers: New York Times This link opens in a new windowProvides full-text, full image, cover-to-cover access to the New York Times.