Intellectual Freedom Resources

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. Explore core documents, guidelines, publications, toolkits, and Q&As about intellectual freedom and privacy in libraries.

Core Documents

eLearning

The Office for Intellectual Freedom hosts and presents in webinars (short for web-based seminar) frequently throughout the year. Presentations are usually transmitted over the web using video conferencing software that features interactive elements and the ability to give, receive and discuss information in real-time. Speakers provide information and resources on a variety of intellectual freedom topics including; censorship, banned books, advocacy, privacy, internet filtering and access to resources.

Our webinars are recorded. After the live event, many of the recordings are accessible at the OIF YouTube channel.

Guidelines

Privacy guidelines and checklists can be found on the Privacy and Confidentiality issues page.

Publications

Resolutions & Statements

The American Library Association Institutional Repository (ALAIR) is an open access repository, committed to collecting, permanently storing, and providing digital access to the publications and intellectual work of the American Library Association. It is organized into communities reflecting the Divisions, Offices, Committees, and Roundtables that make up ALA. The ALAIR is managed by the American Library Association Archives at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. We invite ALA staff and members to deposit documents directly into ALAIR. Intellectual freedom resolutions, statements and other resources older than two years are archived on ALAIR.

Toolkits

Q&As

Assistance and Consultation

The staff of the Office for Intellectual Freedom is available to answer questions or provide assistance to librarians, trustees, educators and the public about intellectual freedom issues and resources. Areas of assistance include policy development, First Amendment issues, and professional ethics. Inquiries can be directed via email to oif@ala.org or via phone at (312) 280-4226.

Updated 2021