"Intellectual freedom is the right of every individual to both seek and receive
information from all points of view without restriction. It provides for free
access to all expressions of ideas through which any and all sides of a question,
cause or movement may be explored."              ~American Library Association

Guidelines for Meeting the Challenge

The MSLA Intellectual Freedom committee recommends the following proactive
guidelines for establishing and maintaining a strong library program and collection.
The ideas that follow will also help the librarian build allies and deflect potential
challenges should they arise.

Materials Selection Policy, approved by the School Committee

• including Reconsideration Policy and form
• including Collection Development Statement 

• Use reviews to make decisions for  purchases; some recommended
  core review sources:
• School Library Journal
• Booklist
• The Horn Book
• Professional knowledge and experience
• Examine new materials as they arrive

Library Climate

• Welcoming atmosphere
• Provide service for Students, Faculty, Administration, School Committee,
  Parents, Community Members

Outreach

• Back to School Night
• Welcome Volunteers to work in your library
  
• Library web site and brochures
• Professional Development for staff
• PTO presentations

Connections

• Join professional organizations and listservs: MSLA, AASL, LM_NET
• Stay informed about Intellectual Freedom groups and issues
• ALA - Office for Intellectual Freedom
• Be aware of pro-censorship organizations
  

IF a challenge comes… Don’t assume that an objection or criticism is the
beginning of a challenge

• Try to resolve the concern informally
• Review the material that is of concern
• Look at it from the complainant’s perspective, as well as your own
  

Steps to follow to respond to a challenge
It is important to know and follow the formal steps in your district’s Selection Policy.
If your district does not have a Selection Policy in place, look at one from a similar
community, or look at the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom’s
“Workbook for Selection Policy Writing”
http://www.ala.org/alaorg/oif/workbook_selection.html

After the formal challenge is made

1. Provide the complainant with handouts as specified in the Selection Policy.
For ex:

• the reconsideration form
• reconsideration procedure
• Library Bill of Rights)

2. Inform your principal and your library director immediately

Respect your district’s chain of command

Develop a procedural strategy with your principal

4. An objective third party should be present during any discussion of the challenge

5. Notify the MSLA Executive Director, Kathy Lowe This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

6. Consult with other library teachers (locally or electronically)

• Do not assume confidentiality, especially with e-mail

• Faculty members
• Parents
• Community members
  
  

  Keep in mind: the “target” is the material, NOT the librarian.

Further Resources

AASL Intellectual Freedom Brochure  

Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA)
      http://www.ala.org/cipa
      Summary of the legislation and guidelines for schools and libraries

Coping With Challenges: Kids and Libraries: What You Should Know
      http://www.ala.org/alaorg/oif/kidsandlibraries.html

Coping With Challenges: Strategies and Tips for Dealing with Challenges
      http://www.ala.org/alaorg/oif/coping_inf.html
      Contains strategies and topics specifically for school libraries

Intellectual Freedom Resource Guide
 http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslproftools/resourceguides/intellectual.cfm 

Internet School Library Media Center; Intellectual Freedom
      http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/free.htm#TOP

Massachusetts Library Association (MLA) Internet Filtering Statement
      http://www.masslib.org/internetfiltering.htm

What You Can Do to Oppose Censorship
      http://www.ala.org/alaorg/oif/whatyoucando.html