Intellectual Freedom and Confidentiality

Intellectual Freedom and Confidentiality Rev. 2018 EMA http://www.ccls.org

Notes about this Learning Module • Please review the links to documents and websites in this module. Information in these references could be part of the final quiz! • The Quiz button will take you the module quiz. • The Fill Out CE Form button will take you to the CE form. • Directions for navigating the module plus printing and saving your quiz results: User Guide Any other questions? Please email the Staff Development Coordinator 2

What you will Learn … • Understand the concept of intellectual freedom as it applies to libraries. • Understand the meaning of confidentiality as it applies to libraries. • How to apply these core values to your work at your library. 3

QUIZ • There is a 10 point quiz at the end of this learning module. • You need to get 100% on the quiz to get credit for completing the learning module. 4

Intellectual Freedom American democracy is dependent upon a belief that people are capable of self- government. Government derives its power from the consent of the governed. 5

Intellectual freedom encompasses the freedom to hold, receive and disseminate ideas without restriction. Viewed as an integral component of a democratic society, intellectual freedom protects an individual's right to access, explore, consider, and express ideas and information as the basis for a self-governing, well-informed citizenry. Intellectual freedom comprises the bedrock for freedoms of expression, speech, and the press and relates to freedoms of information and privacy. Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_freedom 6

Intellectual freedom…. …is the right of every individual to both seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction. …provides for free access to all expressions of ideas through which any and all sides of a question, cause or movement may be explored. 7

Intellectual freedom…. …comprises the bedrock for freedoms of expression, speech, and the press and relates to freedoms of information and privacy. Check out the video to learn more! 8

This principle is embodied in the First Amendment to Congress shall make no law the Constitution respecting an establishment of which protects the religion, or prohibiting the free expression of free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of ideas and its speech, or of the press; or the corollary right to right of the people peaceably access the to assemble and to petition the expression of government for a redress of grievances. others. 9

Intellectual freedom is a basic right in our democratic society and a core value of the library profession. Libraries provide free, equitable, and confidential access to information for all people in the community. 10

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• First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution • Library Bill of Rights • Code of Ethics of the American Library Association • Freedom to Read Statement • Freedom to View Statement • Federal and State Laws ensuring confidentiality of library records 12

The Library Bill of Rights puts forth unambiguous statements of basic principles that should govern the services of all public libraries. Public libraries have the responsibility to provide diverse points of view and make them available to anyone who wants them! 13

The Board of Trustees of the Chester County Library System (CCLS) affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas. This commitment serves as an underpinning in all decisions that the CCLS Board makes. 14

The Library Bill of Rights – Article 1 Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation. We trust people to make their own decisions about what they read and believe 15

The Library Bill of Rights – Article 2 Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval. Public libraries have a responsibility to be inclusive, not exclusive in their collections and in the provision of interlibrary loan. Access to all materials legally obtainable should be assured to the user and policies should not unjustly exclude materials even if they are offensive to library staff or others. 16

The Library Bill of Rights – Article 3 Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibilities to provide information and enlightenment. 17

The Library Bill of Rights – Article 4 Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgement of free expression and free access to ideas. • CCLS supports advocacy on issues related to intellectual freedom. • CCLS promotes the exchange of professional information, techniques, knowledge, and literature between and among libraries and advocates with professional organizations such as the Pennsylvania Library Association and the American Library Association. 18

The Library Bill of Rights – Article 5 Libraries: An American Value statement by the American Libraries Association states: A person’s right to use a • We defend the constitutional rights of all individuals, including children and teenagers, to use the library’s library should not be resources and services. denied or abridged • We value our community’s diversity and strive to reflect that diversity by providing a full spectrum of because of origin, age, resources and services to communities we serve. • We affirm the right and responsibility of all parents background, or views. and guardians to guide their own children’s use of the library and its resources and services. • We connect people and ideas by helping each person select from and effectively use the library’s resources. • We protect each individual’s privacy and confidentiality in the use of library resources and services • We protect the rights of individuals to express their opinions about library resources and services • And we celebrate and preserve our democratic society by making available the widest possible range of viewpoints, opinions and ideas so that all individuals have the opportunity to become lifelong learners, informed, literate, educated and culturally enriched. 19

The Library Bill of Rights – Article 6 Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities If your library provides meeting rooms or available on an equitable exhibit spaces for individuals or groups, basis, regardless of the make sure that the policies and guidelines relating to them are consistent with First beliefs or affiliations of Amendment rights. Apply these policies individuals or groups consistently and uniformly to all. requesting their use. 20

The Library Bill of Rights – Article 6 Check out how one library handled a major meeting room conflicts at: http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2016/04/library- meeting-room-conflicts/ Things to remember as you craft your meeting room policy: https://njla.org/sites/default/files/NJLAMeetingRooms.pdf 21

Intellectual Freedom Policies • Access to materials, services and facilities • Public Demonstration • Collection Development (encompasses materials selection, acquisition and weeding) • Meeting Room/Public Space Use • Public Demonstration 22

CCLS policies relevant to intellectual freedom • Acceptable Use Policy • Borrowing Policy • Confidentiality of Library Records Policy • Electronic Resource Guidelines (Patron Information and Responsibilities) • Interlibrary Loan Service Policy • Materials Selection Policy • Online Transaction Policy • Privacy Policy 23

The Code of Ethics of the American Library Association The Freedom to Read Statement The Freedom to View Statement Access for Children and Young People to Nonprint Materials Please take time to read these important documents and familiarize yourself with the principles found in them! 24

• Books • A form for customers to express their concerns • Written specific criteria for materials section and collection development • Website access on Library Computers • A posted and up to date Internet Acceptable Use Policy – Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) 25

Intellectual Freedom - A Summary Libraries are the traditional custodian of history and intellectual expression, both popular and unpopular. Because we feel it is imperative to safeguard access to the widest possible variety of resources, the Chester County Library System believes that the interest of the individual and the community are best served when a wide diversity of views and expression are available, including those that may be unorthodox or unpopular. For eLearning resources on Intellectual Freedom topics, check out the Americal Libraries Assocation website: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intellectual-freedom-elearning 26

Another important element of intellectual freedom is confidentiality 27

Confidentiality of Library Records “Records of […any local library] which relate to the circulation of library materials and contain the names or other personally identifying information of users of the materials shall be confidential and may not be made available to anyone except by a court order in a criminal proceeeding” We must protect each patron’s right to confidentiality with respect to information sought or received, and materials consulted, borrowed or acquired. 28

The Chester County Library System endorses and complies with the Pennsylvania Library Code. The Pennsylvania Library Code prohibits the release of records to a third party except by a court order in a criminal proceeding. You may not talk about customer’s requests for information with a third party, even the parent or guardian of a minor child. When discussing patron issues with your colleagues, make sure that others can’t overhear you. 29

In order to protect patron privacy, the Chester County Library System developed a Confidentiality of Library Circulation Records policy. You can learn more about the policy and how to handle confidentiality issues in the eLearning modules: • CCLS Confidentiality of Library Circulation Records Policy and • Procedures for Implementing Confidentiality of Library Circulation Records 30

In your role as a member in the Chester County Library System you are committed to acquiring and maintaining the knowledge, skills and resources with which to meet the needs of a diverse community with competence. You need to evaluate all your responses and actions against an ethical framework based on the Library Bill of Rights, the American Library Association’s Code of Ethics, the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and library policies and procedures. 31

You must be prepared to defend intellectual freedom in all its forms. When censorship is attempted, not only is our constitutional right to seek and receive information endangered, but also the very essence of our democratic society is compromised. 32

You are now ready to test your knowledge! QUIZ Please Fill out your Continuing Education Form! Fill Out CE Form Thanks for taking this Learning for Success Module! 33

This publication is produced by the Chester County Library. © 2018 LMA The Chester County Library System is committed to equal access to programs, facilities and employment for all persons. 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton PA 19341 Phone: 610-280-2600 ~ Fax 610-280-2688 ~Home Page: http://www.ccls.org0471. 34