Publisher's Synopsis
Collecting several key documents and policy statements, this supplement to the tenth edition of the Intellectual Freedom Manual traces a history of ALA's commitment to fighting censorship. Beginning with an introductory essay that chronicles ALA policy making on intellectual freedom, this important resource includes sections discussing such foundational issues as
- library advocacy on social and political issues, from post-World War I disarmament, to Vietnam-era protests, to the call to revisit the field's rhetoric concerning neutrality;
- the evolution of the Library Bill of Rights, such as the 1978 revision that eliminated its use of sex-linked pronouns and ALA Council actions rescinding the 2018 interpretation on meeting rooms;
- protecting the freedom to read;
- diverse collections and equity, diversity, and inclusion, new to this edition;
- ALA's complicated history on race, including a 1936 statement opposing discrimination, inaction amidst litigation to desegregate libraries in the 1950s and 1960s, and protests over Florida's Stand Your Ground Law;
- ALA's Code of Ethics;
- how to respond to challenges and concerns about library resources;
- internet filtering, minors and online activity, and education and information literacy;
- programs and displays;
- policy on governmental intimidation;
- copyright; and
- privacy and confidentiality, including the retention of library usage records.
