Proposed changes to Intellectual Freedom policies in the Intellectual Freedom Manual and new Interpretations to the Library Bill of Rights

[The following is from Doug Archer, Chair, ALA Intellectual Freedom Committee, and is posted to ALA's website]
As you may know, the Intellectual Freedom Committee is in the process of revising the Intellectual Freedom Committee is in the process of revising the Intellectual Freedom Manual. During the 2008 Annual Conference, we proposed revisions to six interpretations and they were all adopted as amended. Since then, we have revised two other interpretations and identified two additional concerns that would have been extremely difficult to incorporate into existing documents. Therefore, we have drafted two new interpretations to address these concerns.

The proposed revisions are as follows:
• “Challenged Materials” PDF
• “Restricted Access to Library Materials” PDF
Proposed revisions to the completed Interpretations and other policies are attached. Deletions are struck through; insertions are in brackets.

The new interpretations are as follows:
• “Minors and Internet Interactivity” (PDF)
• “Services to People with Physical and Mental Disabilities” (PDF)

The IFC plans to present these Interpretations to the Council for adoption at its third session during the 2009 Midwinter Meeting. The committee, therefore, would appreciate receiving any comments prior to conference, if possible, or prior to its final meeting at conference, which is on Tuesday, January 27, 1:30 to 4:00 p.m, Colorado Convention Center, room 603.

Please send comments on these Interpretations prior to conference to Deborah Caldwell-Stone, ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom (phone: 1-800-545-2433, ext. 4224; fax: 312-280-4227; e-mail: dstone@ala.org, please carbon copy nperez@ala.org). Written comments also may be left at OIF’s table in the ALA Office Area in the Colorado Convention Center until noon on Tuesday, January 27.

Thank you for your time and assistance. The committee looks forward to hearing your comments on its suggested revisions and the new Interpretations.

Doug Archer
Chair, Intellectual Freedom Committee