Intellectual+Freedom

Intellectual Freedom

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 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 19, 1939, by the ALA Council; amended October 14, 1944; June 18, 1948; February 2, 1961; June 27, 1967; January 23, 1980; inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 23, 1996.
 * Library Bill of Rights **

 Intellectual freedom is the basis of much of the education system. Materials, both print and non-print, should be available that do not discriminate on the basis of religion, ethnicity, politics, or education. Information should be available that covers a variety of viewpoints to assist in the education of all students. In addition to access of materials, there are certain guidelines and procedures to follow when using available media center materials.
 * __Intellectual Freedom __**

 It is the role of the media center to help make information available to all students. This includes access to electronic information, digital information, and print information. The available materials should include access to a variety of points of view in formats accessible to students of all abilities. This includes having access to materials that are written in a language students can understand, and may include non-English materials. Students should have both intellectual access to materials and physical access to materials. Intellectual access is defined as the right to seek out information. Physical access is defined as the ability to obtain information.
 * __Availability of Materials: __**

 Use of media center resources by students in confidential. Transaction records are private, and can only be accessed by a third party via legal means. Students are entitled to privacy in their media center usage. When reading materials are openly labeled by reading level (grade level, Lexile scores, or otherwise), this infringes on a student’s right to privacy, as do labels that identify books by content.
 * __Privacy and Confidentiality: __**

 All users of the media center and its services are expected to adhere to all copyright and fair use laws. Educators and students are held responsible for the educational usage of copyrighted materials.
 * __Copyright and Fair Use: __**


 * Policy and Procedures for Educators:** (from Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools)

II. Copyright Policy • All employees are required to adhere to the provisions of the U.S. Copyright Laws. • Illegal copies of copyrighted media/materials may not be made or used on school equipment. • Any employee convicted of willful copyright infringement is subject to dismissal and/or nonrenewal of contract. II. Copyright Procedures • The Superintendent will provide current copyright information through the board Intranet and as necessary to all employees. • The site administrator or designee will inform personnel at all sites annually of current copyright policy and guidelines. • Duplication of copyright materials shall adhere to the fair use guidelines (section 107 of copyright law) or written permission must be obtained from the copyright holder. • Copyrighted material sent to the print shop for duplication must be accompanied by permission to duplicate from the copyright holder. • Specific copyright questions will be referred through appropriate persons to the attorney for the Board of Education.

 Fair use allows instructors the restricted usage of copyrighted materials for educational purposes. While it does not give them unlimited access to the copyrighted materials, use of portions of copyrighted materials for a limited amount of time is allowed.
 * Fair Use: **

The following materials can be copied for educational purposes: 
 * A chapter from a book (never the entire book).
 * An article from a periodical or newspaper.
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A short story, essay, or poem. One work is the norm whether it comes from an individual work or an anthology.
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A chart, graph, diagram, drawing, cartoon or picture from a book, periodical, or newspaper.
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Poetry
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Multiple copies of a poem of 250 words or less that exist on two pages or less or 250 words from a longer poem.
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Prose
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Multiple copies of an article, story or essay that are 2,500 words or less or excerpts up to 1,000 words or 10 percent of the total work, whichever is less.
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Illustrations
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Multiple copies of a chart, graph, diagram, drawing, cartoon, or picture contained in a book or periodical issue.

When in doubt about following the guidelines for fair use, or whether or not copyright law has been infringed upon, refer to the Copyright Law of the United States.

​Sources:

[] [] [] [] Scales, Pat. //Protecting Intellectual Freedom in Your School Library//. American Library Association: Chicago, 2009.