This document discusses censorship, self-censorship, and intellectual freedom issues in libraries. It defines challenges and bans of materials, and explains how personal bias can lead to self-censorship in collection development. Tips are provided for maintaining a balanced collection and dealing with challenges. Relevant laws and organizations that support intellectual freedom are also mentioned.

4. A challenge is an attempt to
remove or restrict materials,
based upon the objections of
a person or group.

6. A banning is the
removal of those
challenged materials.

8. • Self-censorship is when materials
aren’t added to the library collection
due to the controversial nature of
the book and fear they will be
challenged.
• Self-censorship is also when a
librarian chooses not to add
materials to the collection based on
personal bias.

9. • When ordering books for your collection it is
important you maintain a balance.
• Just because you don’t like a topic or genre
doesn’t mean you can leave those out of your
orders.
• You can’t let your bias influence your
purchasing.

14. Articles To Read For Further
Information
• A Dirty Little Secret: Self-Censorship
• Challenging Self-Censorship: A 21st-century
vision for an ethical future
• Moving toward a Method to Test for Self-
Censorship by School Library Media Specialists
• Self-Censorship: Let's Talk about It
• Self-Censorship: Take the Test
• Not Censorship But Selection

16. • ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom
• National Coalition of Against Censorship
• Intellectual Freedom Manual, 8th Edition
• NCTE Position Statements on Intellectual
Freedom and Censorship

18. There are people and organizations helping
possible censors prepare their complaints.
• PABBIS (Parents Against Bad Books in Schools)
• SafeLibraries.org
• Facts on Fiction
• Parents Aware
• Citizens for Literary Standards in Schools
• Citizens for Academic Responsibility

19. What if someone challenges a book in
your collection?
• You should have a Selection Policy and
Reconsideration Policy in place. REFER to your
policies.
• Steps to Follow During a Challenge
• ALA Tips for Schools
• How to Write a Rationale (NCTE)

21. In order for schools and libraries to
receive E-rate funding, they must show
proof that filters are in place.
In addition, schools must monitor the
online activities of minors and educate
them about Internet safety and
cyberbullying.

22. The Law
• CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act)
PRO Filtering Organzations
• InternetFilters.org
• Plan2Succeed
• Plan2Succeed Examples

24. Students have the same rights as adults. They
should be able to check out materials without the
fear of being scrutinized. They have the right to
check out materials and expect the information to
remain confidential.
• AASL Essential Links: Ethical Issues
• ALA Guidelines for Developing a Library Privacy
Policy
• ALA Privacy and Confidentiality
• FERPA (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act
(1974)

25. Articles
• The Privacy Problem: Although school
librarians seldom discuss it, students’ privacy
rights are under attack
• Confidentiality
• Protecting Students’ Rights and Keeping Your
Job
• ALA 2010: Privacy in the School Library

29. Want To Discuss Intellectual Freedom?
• Visit the discussion board.
• http://shsulibsci.proboards.com
• Choose the Intellectual Freedom thread.
• Click New Thread in the top right corner.