This document summarizes a presentation on establishing policies that protect intellectual freedom at Ohio libraries. It discusses the importance of policies regarding internet and computer use, collection development, meeting rooms, displays of community information, patron privacy and confidentiality, and inquiries from law enforcement. Such policies establish the library's position, provide instructions for handling situations, ensure equity of access, educate staff and patrons, and protect the library from potential litigation. Sample policies from various organizations are provided as resources.

1. The Documents of Freedom:
Establishing Policies That Protect
Intellectual Freedom
Ohio Library Council Intellectual Freedom Committee
OLC Convention and Expo
Friday, October 28, 2011
Amy Switzer
Shaker Heights Public Library
Jeff Regensburger
Worthington Libraries

2. What is intellectual freedom?
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. What policies are we talking about?
Internet and computer use
Collection development
Meeting rooms
Display of community information
Patron privacy and confidentiality
Inquiries from law enforcement

4. Why are they important?
Rationale for Instruct how
Authority and
the library's to handle
accountability
position situations
Checks and Ensure equity Educate staff
balances of access and patrons

5. Internet and Computer Use Policies
Reasonable
• Time, place, and manner
restrictions
• Obscene
No unlawful • Child pornography
purposes • “Harmful to minors”
• Other illegal things
Privacy of users • Protect confidentiality
Everyone is
responsible for • Parents/guardians responsible for minors
what they access

6. Collection Development/Selection Policies
• Service Policy
Consider • Collection Specifications
• Current Selection Needs
• Goals for Acquiring
Material
• Responsibility
Include • Criteria
• Selection Procedures
• Reconsideration of
Material

7. Requests for Reconsideration
Why do I • Consistency for both patrons and staff
• Resolve misunderstandings
need a formal • Reduce incidents of conflict
process? • Protect the library from litigation
What should • Written complaint form
• Review process
be included? • Notify governing body about complaint

8. Patron Privacy and Confidentiality
It’s the law! ORC §149.432
Covers a record in any form that is maintained by
the library and contains info that :
•Is required to be eligible to use the library or borrow
materials.
•Identifies someone as having requested material/info on a
specific subject.

9. When can we release information?
To With subpoena,
To the individual parents/guardians search warrant, or
of minor children court order
Law enforcement
Library
officer - public
administrative
safety in exigent
purposes
circumstances

10. What about our internal process?
How What ID is required for adults? For children?
information
will be What about over the phone?
released? What about lost/stolen cards?
What about Staff access customer information as permitted by law
staff
access?
Staff who are customers are entitled to confidentiality

11. Inquiries from Law Enforcement
September 11th
Section 215 of
and the USA
the Patriot Act
Patriot Act
The Ohio
Library Code of
Revised Code
Ethics
149.432

12. How do I prepare for a visit from
law enforcement?
Create a privacy policy
Have a written procedure for staff
Make sure staff and Board know the procedure and the law
Don't create unnecessary records
Don't save records that aren't essential to the operation of the library
Be aware of information on public view

13. Law enforcement has arrived –
what do I do?
In advance: During a visit:
•Decide who will •Ask for
handle these identification Foreign
requests •Refer the official Intelligence
•Backup plan for to the library Next steps
Surveillance Act
removal of director
equipment •Is there a court
(FISA)
order? (Subpoena?
Search warrant?)

14. Meeting Room Policies
Explain scope and Be
purpose of the Be inclusive viewpoint/content
meeting room neutral
Apply the same You can have
standard to all some rules

15. Displays of Community Information
and Exhibit Space
Explain scope and purpose
Be inclusive
Be viewpoint/content neutral
Cover free newspapers, periodicals, & voter or campaign info

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

17. Resources and Sample Policies
http://www.olc.org/policies.asp (OLC)
http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oif/iftoolkits/intellectual.cfm (ALA)
http://dpi.state.wi.us/pld/policies.html (Wisconsin)
http://midhudson.org/department/member_information/library_policies.htm
(Mid-Hudson)
http://www.webjunction.org/policies-procedures (Webjunction)
http://www.mrsc.org/subjects/infoserv/publiclib/libpolicy.aspx?r=1
(Washington State)

18. Handouts
are online.
http://tinyurl.com/3ftxl65