Intellectual Freedom Competencies for Librarians*

The Working Librarian:

• Distinguishes his or her personal philosophy from the professional responsibilities within the current working environment.
• Evaluates existing policies for clarity and soundness in intellectual freedom principles and submits written recommendations as needed to library administration. Additionally, the working librarian writes procedures to facilitate the implementation of the policy in a manner both efficacious and respectful of differing opinions.
• Has the ability to develop and deliver clear and cogent presentations concerning intellectual freedom to distinctly different audiences. Additionally, the working librarian is able to market these presentations for community outreach.
• Reviews regularly his or her media interview skills and practices with colleagues in mock interviews.
• Participates in staff training that reiterates the appropriate responses to verbal challenges within the context of the library’s policy and procedures with regard to challenges.
• Responds to challenges appropriately by incorporating good customer service techniques of listening, empathy and feedback and makes suggestions such as: recommending the addition of material to expand viewpoints, offers to locate materials more appropriate to the patron’s point of view.
• Participates in formulating the library’s policy with regard to written responses to challenges to policy or materials. If appropriate, the working librarian contributes well-written, cogent evaluations of contested material or policies and analyzes the material within the context of the selection policy.
• Develops and maintains a contact list of community groups likely to be supportive of First Amendment issues.
  Uses local, state and national issues as focal points to educate the public on First Amendment issues, either through forums, in-library displays or electronic displays (or a combination of all three).

*From Intellectual Freedom Core Competencies posted to the ALA's Intellectual Freedom Round Table site.