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MLA Intellectual Freedom Resources
The mission of the Intellectual Freedom Committee is to promote awareness of intellectual freedom issues,
and to provide support to the Massachusetts library community in upholding the principles of intellectual freedom.
What is UCITA and why should librarians care about it?
How to Handle a Challenge
Coping with Challenges: Strategies and Tips for Dealing with Challenges to Library Materials
The Censor: Motives and Tactics
Privacy & Confidentiality
Policy Concerning Confidentiality of Personally Identifiable Information about Library Users
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act
The Policy Collection from the Massachusetts Regional Library Systems
includes some sample Confidentiality of Library Records Policies from Massachusetts libraries.
Intellectual Freedom & Online Safety
Libraries & the Internet Toolkit
The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) News
Especially for Children and Their Parents; Further Information on Filtering
Highly recommended for purchase is Robert Peck's book, Libraries, the First Amendment, and Cyberspace: What You Need to Know
The first chapter, "Questions and Answers about the First Amendment: Sex, Lies and Cyberspace," is available online and may be reproduced for non-profit educational purposes.
A congressionally appointed Commission was mandated by the Child Online Protection Act (COPA) to "identify technological or other methods that will help reduce access by minors to material that is harmful to minors on the Internet." The Commission released its final report to Congress on Friday, October 20, 2000.
Massachusetts Library Association Statements
Resolution Supporting the American Library Association in Its Legal Challenge to Federally Mandated Internet Filters
Internet Filtering Statement
(Approved by the MLA Executive Board, January 5, 2001)
Massachusetts Library Association Testimony
at State House on June 4, 2001
American Library Association Statements
The Library Bill of Rights is available in Spanish and English. Also read its interpretations.
International Statements
The International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA), Free Access to Information and Freedom of Expression (FAIFE) Committee has Statement on Libraries and Intellectual Freedom and also provides a World Report on Libraries and Intellectual Freedom
Learn more about Intellectual Freedom and Get Involved
The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom
provides very detailed information about intellectual freedom issues and provides help to those who oppose censorship.
Join the Freedom to Read Foundation
Additional Information
Peacefire
promotes open access for the "net generation." Peacefire represents the interests of people under 18 in the debate over freedom of speech on the Internet. Find out how easy it is to disable blocking software and discover "blocked site of the day."
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) works to protect the liberties guaranteed to all people in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States. The ACLU has an online newsletter and will send out email alerts at your request. Two resources that may be particularly useful for libraries are Cyber-Liberties and Censorship in a Box.
National Coalition Against Censorship
On April 6th, the Massachusetts Library Association Executive Board approved a resolution supporting the American Library Association's challenge to federally mandated filters as required in the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA). ALA has established an excellent site devoted to CIPA, the regulations and the litigation at http://www.ala.org/cipa. Check it out!
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION IN ITS LEGAL CHALLENGE TO FEDERALLY MANDATED INTERNET FILTERS
WHEREAS, Congress has enacted the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) mandating that libraries and schools install and use content filtering software on public Internet computers as a prerequisite to receiving federal funds for programs including Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and e-rate funds; and
WHEREAS, No filtering software has proven to successfully block out all illegal content while allowing access to all constitutionally protected material; and
WHEREAS, The Commission on Online Child Protection (COPA), which was appointed by Congress to study child safety on the Internet, concluded that "no single technology or method will effectively protect children from harmful material online. Rather the Commission determined that a combination of public education, consumer empowerment technologies and methods, increased enforcement of existing laws, and industry action are needed to address these concerns;" and
WHEREAS, Public and school libraries are a crucial source of Internet-accessible information for all users, but especially and critically for those who cannot afford computers and therefore rely on their local libraries for Internet access; and
WHEREAS, Massachusetts libraries and librarians are partners with parents and work to help their communities become information literate by teaching them to access, evaluate and use information; and
WHEREAS, The Massachusetts Library Association strongly believes that educating parents and children to use the Internet wisely provides children their best protection, now and in the future; and
WHEREAS, The Massachusetts Library Association strongly encourages local libraries to adopt and implement Internet use policies designed to protect juveniles and deter illegal activity while not requiring the use of "technological protection measures" (filters); and
WHEREAS, The Massachusetts Library Association does not recommend the use of Internet filters in libraries, and emphatically opposes attempts by federal and state governments to set local policy; and
WHEREAS, The American Library Association has challenged the constitutionality of CIPA in federal court; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Massachusetts Library Association endorses and supports this legal action by the American Library Association and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Massachusetts Library Association will work with the members of the State Legislature and local public officials to find additional ways to educate the public about intellectual freedom, safety and the Internet.
Committee Charge:
Intellectual Freedom
- Develops programming for the annual conference.
- Develops, proposes and implements a process for MLA participation in national events and days such as Freedom of Information Day and Banned Books week.
- Represents MLA on issues of intellectual freedom.
- Keep members informed of important intellectual freedom issues through newsletter articles and discussion.
- Selects and prepares some sample intellectual freedom policies for addition to the MLA website
- Developsan annual intellectual freedom award for presentation to an individual who has protected intellectual freedom
Committee Chair:
Kimberly S. Lynn
Young Adult/Reference Librarian
Memorial Hall Library
Andover, MA 01810
klynn@mhl.org
Phone Number: (978) 623-8400
Meeting Schedule:
Check out the MLA calendar of events for the next Intellectual Freedom Committee meeting.
Return to the list of MLA Sections and Committees
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