Appendix F: Library Bill of Rights
Library Bill of Rights
The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.
- 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.
- 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.
- Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
- Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
- A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
- Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.
- All people, regardless of origin, age, background, or views, possess a right to privacy and confidentiality in their library use. Libraries should advocate for, educate about, and protect people’s privacy, safeguarding all library use data, including personally identifiable information.
Adopted June 19, 1939, by the ALA Council; amended October 14, 1944; June 18, 1948; February 2, 1961; June 27, 1967; January 23, 1980; January 29, 2019.
Inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 23, 1996.
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Index
I. Purpose of Collection Development Policy
II. Missions
III. Budget Allocations
IV. Selection Responsibilities
V. General Guidelines
VI. Additional guidelines for various collections
VII. Leased Collection
VIII. Maintenance of the Collection
IX. Collection Evaluation
X. Resource Sharing
XI. Gifts
XII. Copyright Law
XIII. Collecting Level
XIV. Collection Development Advisory Committee
Appendices:
A. Examples of reviewing sources
B. Electronic Library Acquisition Forms (for books, AV, & other)
C. Submit a Periodical Subscription Request
D. Preview/Examination Evaluation Form
E. Statement on Appraisal of Gifts
F. Library Bill of Rights
G. Freedom to Read Statement
H. Intellectual Freedom Statement
I. Request for Reconsideration Form
J. Electronic Product Evaluation Form (Microsoft Word document)
K. Role of the Department Library Representative