Via press release
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 ninth edition of the “Intellectual Freedom Manual” published by ALA Editions, 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 bibliography.
“A History of ALA Policy on Intellectual Freedom: A Supplement to the Intellectual Freedom Manual, Ninth Edition,” which traces a history of ALA’s commitment to fighting censorship, will be published separately by ALA Editions later in 2015.
Trina Magi (Editor) is a library professor and reference and instruction librarian at the University of Vermont. She has chaired state and regional intellectual freedom committees, served on the ALA Intellectual Freedom Committee and published a number of articles on privacy. She has won several awards for her intellectual freedom advocacy. Martin Garnar (Assistant Editor) is the reference services librarian and professor of library science at Regis University in Denver, Colo. He also teaches professional ethics, library instruction and foundations of library and information science for the University of Denver’s library and information science program. He has served as chair of the ALA Intellectual Freedom Committee and the Committee on Professional Ethics.
ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) is charged with implementing the intellectual freedom policies of the American Library Association 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 activities.
ALA Store purchases fund advocacy, awareness and accreditation programs for library professionals worldwide. ALA Editions publishes resources used worldwide by tens of thousands of library and information professionals to improve programs, build on best practices, develop leadership, and for personal professional development. ALA authors and developers are leaders in their fields, and their content is published in a growing range of print and electronic formats.
