Censorship & Intellectual Freedom
Intellectual Freedom The Public Library’s unique characteristics are in its generalness. The Public Library considers the entire spectrum of knowledge to be its purview, and the entire spectrum of the community as its user population.
The Public Library shall act as a principal information source for every citizen of Atchison County. Its primary responsibility will be to identify, select, organize, retrieve, disseminate and provide total access to the record of human thought.
The Public Library will be particularly sensitive to change as it affects information needs. It will be responsible for linking community information resources to other resources in the state, the nation and the world.
A child’s library card presents opportunities for many fascinating educational and entertaining experiences, and parents should encourage their children to explore them. The Public Library provides a wide variety of materials representing many points of view on topics of interest to the community. All libraries contain some printed and audiovisual materials which some parents find inappropriate for their children. It is the responsibility of the parent, and not the library, to decide to which ideas and materials a child should or should not be exposed.
As Public Library staff members, we should never comment on the materials we check out. It is a violation of the patron’s privacy and may intimidate other patrons from checking out materials. This applies even if the comment is positive.
The American Library Association Bill of Rights and the American Library Association Freedom to Read Policy are included in the Atchison Library’s Censorship & Intellectual Freedom Policy and are included in the Atchison Library’s Policy Manual.
The Freedom to Read at the Atchison Library
The Board of Directors of the Atchison Library affirms its belief in the following basic policies which govern the selection and availability of materials in this library:
As a responsibility of library service, books and other library materials selected are chosen for values of interest, information and enlightenment of all the people of the community. In no case will library materials be excluded because of the race of nationality or the social, political or religious views of the author.
The Atchison Library strives to provide books and other materials presenting all points of view concerning the problems and issues of our times. No library materials should be proscribed or removed from the library because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
The Atchison Library does not necessarily endorse every idea or presentation contained in the materials it makes available. It would conflict with the public interest for the Board of Directors or the staff of the library to establish their own political, moral or aesthetic views as the sole standard for determining what materials should be made available by the library.
It is contrary to the public interest to require a reader to accept with any book or other item the prejudgment of a label characterizing that item or its author as subversive or dangerous.
Attempts to censor library materials will be challenged by the Atchison Library in the maintenance of its responsibility to provide public information and enlightenment.
The Atchison Library cooperates with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS
The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.
Adopted June 18, 1948; amended February 2, 1961, and January 23, 1980, by the American Library Association Council.
THE FREEDOM TO READ
FREE ACCESS TO LIBRARIES FOR MINORS: An Interpretation of the LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS
Library Policies and procedures which effectively deny minors equal access to all library resources available to other users violate the LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS. The American Library Association opposes all attempts to restrict access to library services, materials, and facilities based on the age of library users.
Article V of the LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS states, “a person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.” The “right to use a library” includes free access to, and unrestricted use of, all the services, materials, and facilities the library has to offer. Every restriction on access to, and use of, library resources, based solely on the chronological age, or legal emancipation of users violates Article V.
Libraries are charged with the mission of developing resources to meet the diverse information needs and interest of the communities they serve. Services, materials, and facilities which fulfill the needs and interest of library users at different stages in their personal development are a necessary part of library resources. The needs and interest of each library user, and resources appropriate to meet those needs and interest, must be determined on an individual basis. Librarians cannot predict what resources will best fulfill the needs and interest of any individual user based on a single criterion such as chronological age, level of education, or legal emancipation.
The selection and development of library resources should not be diluted because of minors having the same access to library resources as adult users. Institutional self-censorship diminishes the credibility of the library in the community, and restricts access for all library users.
Librarians and governing bodies should not resort to age restrictions on access to library resources in an effort to avoid actual or anticipated objections from parents or anyone else. The mission, goals, and objectives of libraries do not authorize librarians or governing bodies to assume, abrogate, or overrule the rights and responsibilities of parents or legal guardians. Librarians and governing bodies should maintain that parents – and only parents – have the right and the responsibility to restrict the access of their children – and only their children – to library resources. Parents or legal guardians who do not want their children to have access to certain library services, materials or facilities, should so advise their children. Librarians and governing bodies cannot assume the role of parents or the functions of parental authority in the private relationship between parent and child. Librarians and governing bodies have a public and professional obligation to provide equal access to all library resources for all library users.
Librarians have a professional commitment to ensure that all members of the community they serve have free and equal access to the entire range of library resources regardless of content, approach, format, or amount of detail. This principle of library service applies equally to all users, minors as well as adults. Librarians and governing bodies must uphold this principle in order to provide adequate and effective service to minors.
Adopted June 30, 1972; amended July 1, 1981; July 3, 1991, by the American Library Association Council
Challenged Materials
The Atchison Library adheres to and wholly supports the Library Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read statements both of which are considered as part of this selection policy. The Atchison Library will follow the recommendation by the American Library Association on Reconsideration of Library Materials.
1. All challenges of materials should be handled by the director or a designated department head. An in-person appointment should be offered to the person making the complaint.
2. A private area should be chosen for the meeting. The director, with another staff person or board member as witness, should listen calmly and with complete courtesy. The individual or group must be treated with dignity.
3. The director should explain the general criteria of the library’s selection policies. It should be made clear that the Library Board of Trustees subscribes to the freedom statements in the library’s policy.
4. If the person making the complaint wants to continue the procedure for reconsideration of materials after talking with the director, he or she will be requested to complete a “Reconsideration of Library Materials” Form. The person or group must be properly identified and the complaint form must be filled out in its entirety.
After the director receives the completed form, he/she shall appoint a committee consisting of the director or a staff appointee of the director’s choice, the person who recommended the material be purchased, a board member, someone from the community who is a library user and a person selected by those making the complaint.
5. The process for reconsideration should be explained to those making the complaint and they should be informed that after a recommendation is made by the committee for reconsideration, they will be notified.
6. If those making the complaint are not satisfied with the committee decision, they may appeal to the Board of Trustees within three weeks of the committee decision.
7. If the decision is appealed to the board, the material in question and all supporting
information concerning the decision to purchase this material should be forwarded to the board. The board’s decision will be final.
REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF LIBRARY MATERIALS FORM
Format: Book_______ Periodical_______ Other_____________________
Title:_________________________________________________________
Author:_______________________________________________________
Publisher:_____________________________________________________
Request Initiated by:_____________________________________________
Address:_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
City:__________________________________________________________
State/Zip:______________________________________________________
Telephone: Day____________________ Home_______________________
Do you represent: Yourself _____________ Group ___________________
Name of Group__________________________________
1. To what in the work do you object? (Please be specific. Cite pages, etc.)
2. Did you complete the entire work:___________ What parts?_________
3. What do you feel might be the result of exposure to this work?
4. For what age group would you recommend this work?
5. What do you believe is the theme of this work?
6. What would you like the library to do about this work?
Lend to adults only:_____
Restrict circulation:_____
Return it to library selection committee for reevaluation:_____
Other: _____ (Explain)
7. What would you recommend as a replacement for this work?
Note: Use other side of form, or additional paper, if necessary.
This form must be signed. Name:__________________________________
Date:___________________________________
The Public Library shall act as a principal information source for every citizen of Atchison County. Its primary responsibility will be to identify, select, organize, retrieve, disseminate and provide total access to the record of human thought.
The Public Library will be particularly sensitive to change as it affects information needs. It will be responsible for linking community information resources to other resources in the state, the nation and the world.
A child’s library card presents opportunities for many fascinating educational and entertaining experiences, and parents should encourage their children to explore them. The Public Library provides a wide variety of materials representing many points of view on topics of interest to the community. All libraries contain some printed and audiovisual materials which some parents find inappropriate for their children. It is the responsibility of the parent, and not the library, to decide to which ideas and materials a child should or should not be exposed.
As Public Library staff members, we should never comment on the materials we check out. It is a violation of the patron’s privacy and may intimidate other patrons from checking out materials. This applies even if the comment is positive.
The American Library Association Bill of Rights and the American Library Association Freedom to Read Policy are included in the Atchison Library’s Censorship & Intellectual Freedom Policy and are included in the Atchison Library’s Policy Manual.
The Freedom to Read at the Atchison Library
The Board of Directors of the Atchison Library affirms its belief in the following basic policies which govern the selection and availability of materials in this library:
As a responsibility of library service, books and other library materials selected are chosen for values of interest, information and enlightenment of all the people of the community. In no case will library materials be excluded because of the race of nationality or the social, political or religious views of the author.
The Atchison Library strives to provide books and other materials presenting all points of view concerning the problems and issues of our times. No library materials should be proscribed or removed from the library because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
The Atchison Library does not necessarily endorse every idea or presentation contained in the materials it makes available. It would conflict with the public interest for the Board of Directors or the staff of the library to establish their own political, moral or aesthetic views as the sole standard for determining what materials should be made available by the library.
It is contrary to the public interest to require a reader to accept with any book or other item the prejudgment of a label characterizing that item or its author as subversive or dangerous.
Attempts to censor library materials will be challenged by the Atchison Library in the maintenance of its responsibility to provide public information and enlightenment.
The Atchison Library cooperates with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS
The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.
- 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 origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
- 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 doctrinal disapproval.
- Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
- Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
- A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
- Libraries that 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.
Adopted June 18, 1948; amended February 2, 1961, and January 23, 1980, by the American Library Association Council.
THE FREEDOM TO READ
- It is in the public interest for publishers and librarians to make available the widest diversity of views and expressions, including those which are unorthodox or unpopular with the majority.
- Publishers, librarians and booksellers do not need to endorse every idea or presentation contained in the books they make available. It would conflict with the public interest for them to establish their own political, moral or aesthetic views as a standard for determining what books should be published or circulated.
- It is contrary to the public interest for publishers to determine the acceptability of a book on the basis of the personal history of political affiliations of the author.
- There is no place in our society for efforts to coerce the taste of others, to confine adults to the reading matter deemed suitable for adolescents, or to inhibit the efforts of writers to achieve artistic expression.
- It is not in the public interest to force a reader to accept with any book the prejudgment of a label characterizing the book or author as subversive or dangerous.
- It is the responsibility of publishers and librarians, as guardians of the people’s freedom to read, to contest encroachments upon that freedom by individuals or groups seeking to impose their own standards or tastes upon the community at large.
- It is the responsibility of publishers and librarians to give full meaning to the freedom to read by providing books that enrich the quality and diversity of thought and expression. By the exercise of this affirmative responsibility, bookmen can demonstrate that the answer to a bad book is a good one, the answer to a bad idea is a good one.
FREE ACCESS TO LIBRARIES FOR MINORS: An Interpretation of the LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS
Library Policies and procedures which effectively deny minors equal access to all library resources available to other users violate the LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS. The American Library Association opposes all attempts to restrict access to library services, materials, and facilities based on the age of library users.
Article V of the LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS states, “a person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.” The “right to use a library” includes free access to, and unrestricted use of, all the services, materials, and facilities the library has to offer. Every restriction on access to, and use of, library resources, based solely on the chronological age, or legal emancipation of users violates Article V.
Libraries are charged with the mission of developing resources to meet the diverse information needs and interest of the communities they serve. Services, materials, and facilities which fulfill the needs and interest of library users at different stages in their personal development are a necessary part of library resources. The needs and interest of each library user, and resources appropriate to meet those needs and interest, must be determined on an individual basis. Librarians cannot predict what resources will best fulfill the needs and interest of any individual user based on a single criterion such as chronological age, level of education, or legal emancipation.
The selection and development of library resources should not be diluted because of minors having the same access to library resources as adult users. Institutional self-censorship diminishes the credibility of the library in the community, and restricts access for all library users.
Librarians and governing bodies should not resort to age restrictions on access to library resources in an effort to avoid actual or anticipated objections from parents or anyone else. The mission, goals, and objectives of libraries do not authorize librarians or governing bodies to assume, abrogate, or overrule the rights and responsibilities of parents or legal guardians. Librarians and governing bodies should maintain that parents – and only parents – have the right and the responsibility to restrict the access of their children – and only their children – to library resources. Parents or legal guardians who do not want their children to have access to certain library services, materials or facilities, should so advise their children. Librarians and governing bodies cannot assume the role of parents or the functions of parental authority in the private relationship between parent and child. Librarians and governing bodies have a public and professional obligation to provide equal access to all library resources for all library users.
Librarians have a professional commitment to ensure that all members of the community they serve have free and equal access to the entire range of library resources regardless of content, approach, format, or amount of detail. This principle of library service applies equally to all users, minors as well as adults. Librarians and governing bodies must uphold this principle in order to provide adequate and effective service to minors.
Adopted June 30, 1972; amended July 1, 1981; July 3, 1991, by the American Library Association Council
Challenged Materials
The Atchison Library adheres to and wholly supports the Library Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read statements both of which are considered as part of this selection policy. The Atchison Library will follow the recommendation by the American Library Association on Reconsideration of Library Materials.
1. All challenges of materials should be handled by the director or a designated department head. An in-person appointment should be offered to the person making the complaint.
2. A private area should be chosen for the meeting. The director, with another staff person or board member as witness, should listen calmly and with complete courtesy. The individual or group must be treated with dignity.
3. The director should explain the general criteria of the library’s selection policies. It should be made clear that the Library Board of Trustees subscribes to the freedom statements in the library’s policy.
4. If the person making the complaint wants to continue the procedure for reconsideration of materials after talking with the director, he or she will be requested to complete a “Reconsideration of Library Materials” Form. The person or group must be properly identified and the complaint form must be filled out in its entirety.
After the director receives the completed form, he/she shall appoint a committee consisting of the director or a staff appointee of the director’s choice, the person who recommended the material be purchased, a board member, someone from the community who is a library user and a person selected by those making the complaint.
5. The process for reconsideration should be explained to those making the complaint and they should be informed that after a recommendation is made by the committee for reconsideration, they will be notified.
6. If those making the complaint are not satisfied with the committee decision, they may appeal to the Board of Trustees within three weeks of the committee decision.
7. If the decision is appealed to the board, the material in question and all supporting
information concerning the decision to purchase this material should be forwarded to the board. The board’s decision will be final.
REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF LIBRARY MATERIALS FORM
Format: Book_______ Periodical_______ Other_____________________
Title:_________________________________________________________
Author:_______________________________________________________
Publisher:_____________________________________________________
Request Initiated by:_____________________________________________
Address:_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
City:__________________________________________________________
State/Zip:______________________________________________________
Telephone: Day____________________ Home_______________________
Do you represent: Yourself _____________ Group ___________________
Name of Group__________________________________
1. To what in the work do you object? (Please be specific. Cite pages, etc.)
2. Did you complete the entire work:___________ What parts?_________
3. What do you feel might be the result of exposure to this work?
4. For what age group would you recommend this work?
5. What do you believe is the theme of this work?
6. What would you like the library to do about this work?
Lend to adults only:_____
Restrict circulation:_____
Return it to library selection committee for reevaluation:_____
Other: _____ (Explain)
7. What would you recommend as a replacement for this work?
Note: Use other side of form, or additional paper, if necessary.
This form must be signed. Name:__________________________________
Date:___________________________________
Approved by the Atchison Library Board of Trustees on February 25, 2002
