Since it was established in 1967, ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom
(OIF) has championed the rights of library users to seek and receive
information on all subjects from all points of view without restriction
and without having the subject of one's interest examined or scrutinized
by others. The new edition of the Intellectual Freedom Manual is more
than just an invaluable compendium of guiding principles and policies.
It's also an indispensable resource for day-to-day guidance on
maintaining free and equal access to information for all people.
Fortifying and emboldening professionals and students from across the
library spectrum, this manual includes 34 ALA policy statements and
documents, 17 new or updated for this edition, addressing patron
behavior, internet use, copyright, exhibits, use of meeting spaces, and
other common concerns At-a-glance lists summarizing key issues such as
access, challenges and censorship, access by minors to controversial
materials, and advocacy Explanations of legal points in clear,
easy-to-understand language, alongside case citations Numerous
checklists to help readers stay organized A glossary and selected
bibliography This must-have tool will help librarians ensure that
institutions of all kinds remain beacons of intellectual freedom.
