LIS 600: Foundations of Library and Information Studies Week Seven Kevin Rioux, Ph. D Division of Library and Information Science Rioux, Unit 7 1
Rubin’s (1997) conceptualization of intellectual freedom within the LIS context • It is based on the fundamental belief that the health of society is maintained and improved when ideas can be created and disseminated without governmental, political, or social impediment. Such an idea is hardly innocent; in some cases, it may lead to the propagation of heinous ideas with deleterious results. Such a view presumes, however, that the best way to combat a bad idea is not suppress it, but to produce a better idea. 2 Rioux, Unit 7
Concept of “intellectual freedom” • • 3 Philosophically based on the following documents, which discuss the free flow of ideas and their importance to democracy: – First Amendment of the Bill of Rights – Freedom to View (Educational Film Library Association, 1979) – The ALA Code of Ethics – Library Bill of Rights (a key document of the American Library Association) Policies related to intellectual freedom are the basis of our practice! Rioux, Unit 7
First Amendment of the Bill of Rights of the US Constitution • Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech; or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. 4 Rioux, Unit 7
Intellectual freedom and access • 5 Access to materials is dependent on – The organization of materials: • Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) • Library of Congress Classification (LC) • Library of Congress Subject Headings • Anglo-American Cataloging Rules (AACR 2) – Collection development policies – Answers the questions: – What is the mission/philosophy of this library? – What should be collected and at what depth? – Formats? – Who are the primary users? – Helps with planning, selection, training, and materials challenges Rioux, Unit 7
Intellectual freedom and access, cont’d • 6 Access is dependent on (cont’d. ) – Selection, which is based on • Authority • Appropriateness • Accuracy and timeliness • Fit • Quality of the actual In. BE • Demand • Content quality • Etc. Rioux, Unit 7
Intellectual freedom and library service policies • Circulation policies: how long is loan? can you renew? How many times? What is non-circulating? • Reference policies: time limits? Restrictions to type of patron? Is bibliographic instruction included? • Staffing policies: experts or generalists? • What about library fees? – Pros: shows value of service, off sets expenses, recoup money from non-residents, etc. – Cons: Free access is a fundamental right, tradition of free services in the US, a slippery slope, etc. – What do you think of fees? 7 Rioux, Unit 7
Intellectual freedom and preservation • • 8 Libraries often regarded as the locus of the preserved human record, and most have policies on preserving materials Preservation issues: – Rough use – Acidic paper (makes books brittle) – High cost of repairing or preserving – Digitization is a new field that may be instrumental in saving many materials (especially photographs) Rioux, Unit 7
Factors that may restrict access • • 9 Librarian’s personal values--e. g. . , political, social and religious views-we need to be aware of them. Obligation to maintain community values and of society as a whole-e. g. , influences purchasing Obligation to protect children Desire to ensure the library’s survival--e. g. , don’t want to buy materials that could threaten the existence and community support of the library Being part of an institution that traditionally focuses on moral and social betterment Self imposed censorship to avoid conflict Librarians with mediocre educations--less resistant to censorship Librarians who aren’t confident in their own abilities--less resistant to censorship Rioux, Unit 7
Censorship “Triggers” • • 10 Sexual content (e. g. , Madonna’s Sex, Robert Mappelthorpe’s photographs, Harold Robbins novels) Sex education (e. g. , Joy of Sex, Kinsey Reports) Sexual minority themes and authors, drug use themes (Edmund White novels, William Burroughs books, “Heather Has Two Mommies” and the like) Violent content (e. g. , Quentin Tarrantino videos) Dissenting political tracts (e. g. , Marx, Hitler, etc. ) Language (e. g. , racist, sexist, profane language) Formats (e. g. , Internet, movies, music==a more intense experience? Easier access to material? ) Protection of children from adult themes (vulnerability) Rioux, Unit 7
Factors that may enhance access • Public service orientation of librarians • Professional ethic of providing information and supporting educational process to buttress democracy and develop good citizenship. • Faith in the marketplace of ideas, no matter what these ideas may be • Professional obligation to support the First Amendment. – Legal basis for the protection of libraries and patrons • Strong professional organizations (e. g. , ALA) that support efforts to maintain access. 11 Rioux, Unit 7
Struggle to maintain intellectual freedom • 12 Pressures – Personal – Professional – Organizational – Environmental Rioux, Unit 7
Intellectual Freedom Guidelines • • 13 Library Bill of Rights (1939), most recent revision in 1996 Enactment Policies have been created by the ALA’s Intellectual Freedom Committee – Freedom to Read Statement • greatest diversity of views is in the public’s best interest and supports democracy • Librarians are to resist labelling of books as seditious, dangerous, etc. • Librarians are responsible for protecting people’s freedom to read and to oppose censorship – Intellectual Freedom Statement • Diversity in collections and re-iteration of Freedom to Read – Freedom to View • Expands earlier documents to AV materials. – Emphasis on parents to monitor children’s reading/access (outside of schools) Rioux, Unit 7
Intellectual Freedom Guidelines, cont’d • For schools, the spirit of the Statement on Intellectual Freedom statement stands – A delicate balance, but nevertheless, school librarians should • Ensure a diverse collection • Resist censorship 14 Rioux, Unit 7
Terms to know: • • 15 Expurgation--modification of materials or labelling is considered restricting access Sectioning a library into “Adults Only” is considered restricting access Circulation records must only be released with a court-issued subpoena (Patriot Act notwithstanding) Patron appearance and behavior should not unduly affect access Rioux, Unit 7
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