Ensuring Intellectual Freedom and Access to Information in the School Library Media Program

by Helen R. Adams

Overview

Over two-thirds of all challenges to books and other resources reported to the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom occur in schools. This book explores intellectual freedom issues in school library media programs including selection of resources and materials selection policies, challenges and censorship, students' freedom to read, patron privacy and confidentiality of library records, the blocking of Internet resources, access to the school library media center, its resources, and services for students with special needs, and advocacy for minors' First Amendment rights in school library media programs. Throughout the text, practicing public school and private school library media specialists at different grade levels candidly share their stories and observations on how intellectual freedom principles and ALA policy statements apply to real life situations. Attorney Mary Minow provides vital information about the impact of the First Amendment, federal and state law, and court decisions on minors using libraries in schools. Whether a library media specialist in the field or a student in a graduate or undergraduate library and information studies program, readers will find both practical information and advice to complement the concepts found in the American Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Manual. Print and Web resources are included.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781591585398
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	09/30/2008
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	276
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Helen R. Adams is a former Wisconsin school library media specialist and technology coordinator and currently teaches an online course on intellectual freedom issues for Mansfield University of Pennsylviania. She is past president of the AASL and has previously published books on school library media program policy development and privacy with Libraries Unlimited.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Dr. Dianne McAfee Hopkins
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1: What Is Intellectual Freedom in a School Library Media Program?
Chapter 2: The First Amendment in School Library Media Programs
Chapter 3: Selection of School Library Media Program Resources
Chapter 4: "The Right to Read"
Chapter 5: Privacy in the School Library Media Program
Chapter 6: Challenges to School Library Media Program Resources
Chapter 7: Intellectual Freedom and the Internet in Schools
Chapter 8: Access to the Library Media Program for Students with Disabilities
Chapter 9: Advocacy for Intellectual Freedom: Building Common Ground
Appendix A: Core Intellectual Freedom Documents from the American Library Association
Appendix B: Pro-First Amendment Organizations
Appendix C: Three Authors Speak about Censorship
Appendix D: Right to Read Lesson Plans

What People are Saying About This

Leonard Kniffel Editor in chief

"A magnificent achievement, Helen Adams' Ensuring Intellectual Freedom and Access to Information in the School Library Media Program should be required reading for every library science student. The analysis of the First Amendment and its application to minors [co-written with lawyer Mary Minow] is as clear and well-written an interpretation of the law as I've ever read."

Leonard KniffelEditor in chief

"A magnificent achievement, Helen Adams' Ensuring Intellectual Freedom and Access to Information in the School Library Media Program should be required reading for every library science student. The analysis of the First Amendment and its application to minors [co-written with lawyer Mary Minow] is as clear and well-written an interpretation of the law as I've ever read."

Editorial Reviews

Pointing to the school media professional as a leader in promoting principles such as the Library Bill of Rights and ALA's Code of Ethics within the parameters of local school environment, Adams offers help in creating and following a selection policy, keeping library records private, and understanding the effect of case law on intellectual freedom. . . . This is a useful guide for new and veteran library media specialists, and a must-share wtih school administrators.” —School Library Jourbanal

“In chapters geared to school situations and covering topics including selection of resources, the First Amendment, privacy, challenges of resources, the Internet, and access for students with disabilities, Adams offers background on the topic and bulleted lists of strategies for dealing with an issues. . . . This is a book that every school librarian needs to keep handy and share with administrators, colleagues, and parents.” —Booklist

“This excellent, comprehensive, and up-to-date treatment of intellectual freedom, with an introduction by library school professor and author Dianne McAfee Hopkins, is an indispensable work for school library media specialists in all kinds of schools, including international and private schools.” —VOYA

“. . . this is a timely and useful addition to the literature of the library profession. It is recommended for college and university libraries.” —Catholic Library World

“Handling challenges to library materials and preventing censorship are important, yet knotty issues for librarians. The author clearly advises school librarians on how to approach these issues. . . . Reading this book is a professional development in itself! Highly Recommended.” —Library Media Connection, Starred Review

From the Publisher

Pointing to the school media professional as a leader in promoting principles such as the Library Bill of Rights and ALA's Code of Ethics within the parameters of local school environment, Adams offers help in creating and following a selection policy, keeping library records private, and understanding the effect of case law on intellectual freedom. Inset boxes summarize key ideas and paraphrase terms such as defining and interpreting what is "harmful to minors." The author tackles confidentiality issues such as calling up automated patron histories, and new advances such as biometrics (such as fingerprint) used for library identification. Other problems in the area of technology include filtering legislation and the FCC's principle of "net neutrality" that stand in the way of student access to Web 2.0 tools. Each chapter integrates facts with testimony from library media specialists across the United States, bulleted tips for implementing ideas, follow-up resources, and extensive notes. A final chapter provides tools for advocacy, and notable authors such as Suzanne Fisher Staples, Harry Mazer, and Katherine Paterson weigh in with appended personal statements about censorship. This is a useful guide for new and veteran library media specialists, and a must-share with school administrators.-Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY

School Library Journal