By Rachel Altobelli, Albuquerque Public Schools, and Sara Cook, Jefferson Middle School, New Mexico AASL’s new resource guide, “Defending Intellectual Freedom: LGBTQ+ Materials in School Libraries“, is: a source for quick answers to difficult questions; a place to find advice… Read More ›
intellectual freedom
Let the Good Times Roll: Intellectual Freedom at the ALA Conference
For librarians, Intellectual freedom is a living concept, a core value reflected in the ALA Code of Ethics, the Library Bill of Rights, the Freedom to Read Statement, and Libraries: An American Value. It is highlighted annually during Banned Books… Read More ›
Updating the Intellectual Freedom Manual
The Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) and the ALA Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC) has started the process for revising the 9th edition of the Intellectual Freedom Manual published in 2015. Rationale for a New Edition Why is a revision needed? Several… Read More ›
Report from ALA Midwinter: Intellectual Freedom Documents to Help School Librarians
The American Library Association held its Midwinter meeting in Denver from February 9-13, 2018. As the chair of the ALA Intellectual Freedom Committee (and a retired school librarian), I’m providing information on three important items for school librarians. Net Neutrality… Read More ›
The Selection & Reconsideration Policy Toolkit
Since 1998, the American Library Association’s (ALA) Workbook for Selection Policy Writing has provided guidance to school librarians. After two decades, the document needed a makeover! Kristin Pekoll, assistant director at the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF), had a… Read More ›
High Points and Concerns: Reflections on Intellectual Freedom in 2017
As a new year begins, I’m reflecting on three positive matters involving intellectual freedom and school librarians from 2017 that will continue in 2018. Intellectual Freedom & the AASL Standards: In November 2017, AASL introduced its new National School Library… Read More ›
That All May Read: A Snapshot of the National Library Service for the Blind & Physically Handicapped
School librarians encourage reading and protect their students’ right to read; but what if one of the students is blind, partially sighted, is physically unable to turn the pages of books, or has a reading disability that prevents reading print normally?… Read More ›
Meet Kate Davis: Conable Scholar & International School Librarian
Kate Davis is the 2017 recipient of the Gordon M. Conable Conference Scholarship. The Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) annually awards the scholarship to a library school graduate student or new library professional, and the scholarship financially supports the recipient’s American Library… Read More ›
Celebrating Digital Citizenship Week
Are you celebrating Digital Citizenship Week? According to Common Sense Education, Digital Citizenship Week is October 16-20, 2017. In a world where we are constantly bombarded with “fake news,” Photoshopped pictures, social media at its peak, and multiple digital devices… Read More ›
Words Have Power: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Banned Books Week
Have you planned activities for Banned Books Week (BBW)? In 2017, BBW occurs from September 24-30 with the theme “Words Have Power.” To learn what the American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) is planning for this year… Read More ›