Things To Read: Library Bill Of Rights

Photo: Janko Ferlič

I've been watching The Librarians via Kanopy and it may be the scariest thing I've watched all year. In the beginning of the documentary filmmakers follow librarians as they've been asked to remove hundreds of books from school libraries located in Texas. 

There is footage of a book burning.

One librarian, initially, interviews anonymously.

I decided to look up the goals of our public libraries. What are tenets? 

The American Library Association states this on their website:

The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.

I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.

V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.

VI. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

VII. All people, regardless of origin, age, background, or views, possess a right to privacy and confidentiality in their library use. Libraries should advocate for, educate about, and protect people’s privacy, safeguarding all library use data, including personally identifiable information.

Adopted June 19, 1939, by the ALA Council; amended October 14, 1944; June 18, 1948; February 2, 1961; June 27, 1967; January 23, 1980; January 29, 2019.

Inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 23, 1996.

Although the Articles of the Library Bill of Rights are unambiguous statements of basic principles that should govern the service of all libraries, questions do arise concerning application of these principles to specific library practices. See the documents designated by the Intellectual Freedom Committee as Interpretations of the Library Bill of Rights.

I can stand by this... fully and completely. 

Depending on your location, you may get free access to information such as: The New York Times, Hoopla, Kanopy, museum passes, and online learning platforms. 

If you don't have a public library card— go, go get one now(!) Intellectual freedom is at stake.