What is Intellectual Freedom?
MSLMA Intellectual FreedomPamphlet
Guidelines for Meeting the Challenge
Links to Further Resources

What is Intellectual Freedom?
"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

The MSLMA 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 

Library Climate

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

Connections

• Join professional organizations and listservs: MSLMA, 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 example, the reconsideration form,  reconsideration procedure, and 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 MSLMA Intellectual Freedom committee

6. Consult with other library media specialists (locally or electronically)

• Do not assume confidentiality, especially with e-mail

• Faculty members
• Parents
• Community members