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Intellectual Freedom

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

~American Library Association

The IF helpline is a volunteer-driven network that supports librarians and educators in New England who are experiencing attempts to censor materials or services, or are facing other intellectual freedom challenges. We connect people with peer support and resources to successfully defend their community members’ freedom to read, and to stay safe as they do this important work. We do not offer legal advice or opinions, but we will do our best to provide resources and best practices, and to connect you with lawyers who can help.

 Intellectual Freedom: Things to Do Now

(From MSLA Past President Jen Varney's Forum column, Fall 2022)

  • If your school / district does not have a formal Selection/Reconsideration Policy, double your efforts to get one. Many districts express that they do not want to formally adopt this policy at the school committee level because such an action might be seen as an invitation to trouble. In the current political climate, challenges will occur whether there is a policy or not. It is much better to have one and be prepared. Use your policy to have conversations with administration about the issue.
  • If you do have a formal policy, refamiliarize yourself with it. Stick to the procedures and ensure stakeholders know they need to be followed. Make sure teachers and administration are aware. Consider looping in your union representatives.
  • Being aware of the most challenged books is helpful to be an asset to people who want to discuss them. Keep the conversation on content, level, and curriculum connections, and the school library’s important role in providing access to a wide variety of materials.
  • Selection process is selection policy. Be able to articulate why you bought the books you did. Use this as an opportunity to look at what other libraries have.
  • Continue to use social media as a promotional and an advocacy tool. Cite other sources and connect them back to the professional resources like the MSLA and other subscriptions you use. However, school librarians in other parts of the country have experienced harassment online alongside the challenges. 
  • You may consider protecting the privacy of your personal social media accounts. In addition, MA schools are receiving many Freedom of Information Act requests. It may be prudent to limit use of your work email when discussing these matters. You can change which address you use to communicate with MSLA by following these directions. 
  • Connect with your public library. If you're getting inquiries or challenges, there’s a chance that inquiries have been made in town too. Bridge gaps to your local assets who can be supportive in these matters and keep them in the loop.

Guidelines for Meeting the Challenge

Proactive guidelines for establishing and maintaining a strong library program and collection. Includes ideas to help the librarian build allies and deflect potential challenges should they arise.

​PROACTIVE Steps to Take BEFORE a Challenge; Does your program have:

Materials Selection Policy, approved by the School Committee
  • including Reconsideration Policy and form
  • including Collection Development Statement 
Collection Development - Recommended practices:
  • Use reviews to make decisions for  purchases; some recommended core review sources:
  • School Library Journal, Booklist, The Horn Book
  • Professional knowledge and experience
  • Examine new materials as they arrive
  • Building Inclusive Collections - Cultural Proficiency (From MLS)
    • Cultural Competence
    • Building the Collection
    • Promoting the Collection
​ Library Climate
  • Welcoming atmosphere
  • Provide service for Students, Faculty, Administration, School Committee, Parents, Community Members
Outreach
  • Back to School Night
  • Welcome Volunteers to work in your library
  • Library web site and brochures
  • Professional Development for staff
  • PTO presentations
Connections
  • Join professional organizations and listservs: MSLA, AASL, LM_NET
  • Stay informed about Intellectual Freedom groups and issues
  • ALA - Office for Intellectual Freedom
  • Be aware of pro-censorship organizations

IF a challenge comes....

Don’t assume that an objection or criticism is the beginning of a challenge

  • Try to resolve the concern informally
  • Review the material that is of concern
  • Look at it from the complainant’s perspective, as well as your own

Steps to follow to respond to a challenge 

  • It is important to know and follow the formal steps in your district’s Selection Policy. 
  • If your district does not have a Selection Policy in place, look at one from a similar community, or look at the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom’s ​ “Workbook for Selection Policy Writing ”  

After the formal challenge is made

  1. Provide the complainant with handouts as specified in the Selection Policy. For ex:
    • the reconsideration form
    • reconsideration procedure
    • Library Bill of Rights

  2. Inform your principal and your library director immediately
    • Respect your district’s chain of command
    • Develop a procedural strategy with your principal

  3. Keep detailed written records

  4. An objective third party should be present during any discussion of the challenge

  5. Notify the MSLA President / Executive Board

  6. Consult with other library teachers (locally or electronically). 
    • Do not assume confidentiality, especially with e-mail

  7. Contact allies (Faculty members, Parents, Community members)

ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom Helpline Grant Announcement

1/15/2025  

Late last year, the American Library Association (ALA) announced the launch of its state Intellectual Freedom Helpline (IFH) program. Over the next two years, ten pilot program sites will operate a confidential reporting system that will help connect those experiencing censorship attempts with professional support, in-state peers, and referral to The ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom (OIF) as appropriate. The initiative will collect data for inclusion in ALA’s database of confidential reports documenting censorship attempts nationwide; develop resources and establish best practices to operate an IFH; and develop the expertise and confidence of both those providing and receiving support. Ten grants were offered, funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, which is the nation’s largest supporter of the arts and humanities, among others.

Contact Jennifer Varney (jvarney@maschoolibraries.org) to find out more and to get involved.


Massachusetts School Library Association

PO Box 336   |   Wayland, MA   |   01778

508-276-1697

Emily Kristofek, Office Manager ekristofek@maschoolibraries.org

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