The document outlines guidelines for intellectual freedom in libraries, stating that free access to information and ideas applies to all areas of library service and must be readily, equally, and equitably accessible to all users regardless of technology, format, or delivery methods. Libraries should not confine, place limits on, or allow barriers to information based on technology, format, or delivery methods. Policies governing areas like meeting room use, computer use, and materials selection should uphold these principles of intellectual freedom.

1. OLC Intellectual Freedom Committee
OLC Convention and Expo, Toledo, Ohio
Wednesday, October 26, 4:15 PM

2. Seek and receive
Every individual’s
information from
right
all points of view
Free access to all Applies to all
expressions of areas of library
ideas service

3. All information, resources, and services
Provided directly or indirectly
Regardless of technology, format, or methods of
delivery
Readily, equally, and equitably accessible
All library users

4. •Children & teens
•The elderly
YES! •People with
disabilities
•Non-native speakers

5. Don't Regardless of
•Confine •Technology
•Place limits •Format
•Allow •Methods of
barriers delivery

6. Books and Community
Meeting room
materials information
policies
selected displayed
Computer use Library card And much
policies policies more

8. A white pride group has reserved your
meeting room. Coincidentally, they've
booked it the same day an African-
American cultural event is planned at the
library. There has been friction between the
white pride group and the organizers of the
African-American cultural event in the past.
Now you’ve uncovered some online chatter
that hints there may be violence. What
should you do?

9. • Who can use the meeting room
Policy should say: • How it can be used
• How often it can be used
• On an equitable basis
Rooms should be • Regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of
available: organization
• Reasonable time, place and manner
Content-neutral restrictions are okay.
restrictions: • Restrictions based on content are not.
• If it would disrupt normal use of the
Can prohibit library
disruptive behavior: • Behavior-based, not content

10. In keeping with Federal CIPA guidelines, your library turns
off internet filters for those adults who request it. Lately
though, there has been an increase in patrons using the
library’s computers to access hardcore pornography.
While privacy screens and blinders have helped, a number
of staff members have indicated that the situation is getting
out of hand. Reports of children being exposed to
objectionable material, lewd remarks from patrons, and
inappropriate gestures are coming in more frequently.
Today, you found out a staff member has threatened a
lawsuit, claiming the library has allowed a “sexually
charged, hostile work environment.” What should you do?

11. • Internet policies appear appropriate.
Library is doing • CIPA guidelines are being observed.
the right thing • Filters turned off at the request of adults.
• Privacy screens and blinder are in use.
• Lewd remarks
Issues are • Inappropriate gestures
behavioral • Minors exposed to objectionable material
• What behaviors are prohibited?
Answer is Code • What are the consequences?
• Make sure staff understand it.
of Conduct • Support staff in enforcing it.

12. Your library has video surveillance cameras
installed to help deal with petty crimes,
vandalism, and graffiti in the library. An
elderly man is mugged in the library
parking lot. Police ask to see the video
footage of the incident. Library policy says
that all personally identifiable information
about patrons who use the library is
confidential by law. What do you do?

13. • Why you have cameras
• Who may access & how footage is released
Policy should say: • When is there a reasonable expectation of privacy
• No intent to identify reading or viewing activity
Procedure to handle • Who do you notify?
• Is there a search warrant, subpoena, or
law enforcement court order?
requests • Who decides what will be released when?
• Videos/photos are “personally identifiable
How do you balance information” so subject to ORC 149.132.
• We want patrons to feel safe at the library.
privacy and safety? • We count on the police to keep us safe.

14. Your policy defines parameters for political petitioners and
pamphleteers. There are 75 square feet of space on the left
side of the library entrance set aside for petitioning and
leafleting.
Leafleting groups must reserve the space the in the same way
they reserve the meeting room. They are limited to offering
petitions and literature on topics of public interest. They cannot
distribute coupons or other advertising and cannot approach
patrons or leaflet windshields in the library parking lot.
One group repeatedly violates these policies. They hound
patrons, operate well outside the assigned area, and use the
space even when they haven’t reserved it. Your efforts to
enforce the policy are met with resistance. You explain that if
this group continues to disregard the policy you’ll have no
choice but to evict them. They counter by threatening a lawsuit
based on their First Amendment rights. They have strong ties
to the ACLU, and you believe their threats of a lawsuit are
credible. What should you do?

15. • Who can distribute literature
Policy should say: • Where the literature can be distributed
• What type of literature may be distributed
• Reasonable time, place, and manner okay
Content-neutral • Restrictions based on the ideas being
restrictions: expressed not okay
• “Petitioning and distribution of the literature
Can prohibit must not interfere with, impede, or disrupt the
disruptive behavior: public’s normal use of the library.”
• Are content neutral
You may be right if • Provide equitable access
your policies: • Reasonably restrict time, place, & manner

16. Library cancels White Pride: Violence hinted on
YouTube (http://tinyurl.com/4xz4sjg)
Librarian Suit: Computer Porn Use Lead to Groping
While Children Present (http://tinyurl.com/42zsqej)
King County Library System is removing its security
cameras (http://tinyurl.com/3zbf6bm)
Library leaflet lawsuits are filed; Tea Party Alliance,
ACLU work together (http://tinyurl.com/3gs8rvu)

18. Jeff Regensburger, Worthington Libraries
• jregensb@worthingtonlibraries.org
Amy Switzer, Shaker Heights Public Library
• aswitzer@shakerlibrary.org
Online
• http://www.olc.org/IntellectualFreedom.asp
On Twitter
• http://twitter.com/olcif