Primary tabs
You don't need to be an ALA Member to purchase from the ALA Store, but you'll be asked to create an online account/profile during checkout to proceed. This Web Account is for both Members and non-Members. Note that your ALA Member discount will be applied at the final step of the checkout process.
If you are Tax-Exempt, please verify that your account is currently set up as exempt before placing your order, as our new fulfillment center will need current documentation. Learn how to verify here.
- Description
- Table of Contents
- About the authors
- Reviews
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 IF topics.
When someone faces a difficult intellectual freedom (IF) 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 the 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 IF and why it matters, drawing on ALA's core IF 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 IF, showing how library policies shape culture, protect staff and users, and affect real people;
- concise breakdowns of IF issues from legal experts, helping you understand the laws and how they apply in real situations;
- practical advice on advocating for IF, 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.
View a detailed Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Prologue: Why Intellectual Freedom Matters by Becky Calzada
Part I: Intellectual Freedom and Libraries
Chapter 1: What Is Intellectual Freedom? by Deborah Caldwell-Stone
Chapter 2: Core Intellectual Freedom Documents of the American Library Association
Chapter 3: Creating Intellectual Freedom Policies for Your Library
Part II: Intellectual Freedom Topics and Best Practices
Chapter 4: Access to Library Resources and Services
Chapter 5: Censorship, Challenged Resources, and Internet Filtering
Chapter 6: Children and Youth
Chapter 7: Collection Development and Management
Chapter 8: Copyright
Chapter 9: Meeting Rooms, Exhibit Spaces, and Programming
Chapter 10: Politics, Religion, and Free Expression
Chapter 11: Privacy and Confidentiality
Chapter 12: Visits and Requests from Law Enforcement
Part III: Advocacy and Assistance
Chapter 13: Advocating and Lobbying for Intellectual Freedom
Chapter 14: Where to Get Help and Get Involved by Eric Stroshane
Appendixes
- Appendix 1: Glossary of Terms
- Appendix 2: For Further Reading compiled by Emily Knox
Index
Praise for previous editions
”The tone of the IFM is straightforward and complete: it reflects both the gravitas and the complexity of the issues but appears to trust the reader to understand the complicated issues and to be capable of making the 'right' decisions. In some ways, the IFM even feels nurturing: it gives the reader the materials that they need to understand intellectual freedom ... Intellectual freedom is a complex, difficult topic, and the IFM handles it well."
— College & Research Libraries
”An extremely practical and useful guide for librarians dealing with intellectual freedom topics, offering both foundational understanding of the topic and applicable guidance for navigating related situations. The documents provide definitions and clear steps to troubleshoot associated questions and problems."
— Choice
"The text is very well written and provides a wealth of information about each topic, including specific situational examples and explanations of the law surrounding the different topics. The information is organized well and includes great details to make navigation as simple as possible. It is very helpful to have all of this information collected and organized in one simple resource. Proponents of intellectual freedom would benefit from having a copy of this manual on hand."
— ARBA
"Some barriers to reading are imposed by community members, parents, and laws, and librarians ought to be familiar with readers' rights and the library's responsibility to its readers. So, keep this manual handy! … Foremost, the editors and authors have packed into fewer than 300 pages a useful toolkit for librarians' work to provide services and to understand terminology, fundamental documents and the information professionals' responsibility to unwaveringly stand up to protect intellectual freedoms of the citizenry."
— Reference Reviews
”It is best to be prepared, and all U.S. librarians should have a basic understanding of the principles outlined in this book."
— Journal of Hospital Librarianship