Intellectual Freedom

The principles of intellectual freedom--the idea that a democracy is dependent upon free and open access to ideas—are hallmarks of the library and education professions. But librarians and teachers sometimes face strong opinions regarding what material people think is appropriate for children and teenagers to have access to in a school library, public library, or classroom.

What does that mean for librarians and teachers today? It means they must understand the principles of intellectual freedom, and also how those principles are applied in the real world. They must be willing to acknowledge their own biases and fears and then move beyond them. And they must be prepared to defend the rights of the children and teens for whom they have a professional responsibility.

The CCBC specializes in in intellectual freedom issues as they relate to children's and teens' access to materials in libraries and classrooms:

CCBC Services

CCBC Intellectual Freedom Information Services: provide information and referral for Wisconsin librarians and teachers who are facing attempts to censor materials for minors in their libraries and classrooms. (Read an article about the CCBC service.)

What IF . . . Forum: a question-and-answer forum for librarians, teachers, administrators and others who have questions about what the principles of intellectual freedom look like in practice.

Resources

Thinking about Intellectual Freedom: definitions, general information, professional statements, policies and procedures, self-censorship, recommended books and more
Steps to Take When Materials are Challenged: suggestions, support, and helpful links
Education and Advocacy Groups: selected links
What IF . . . Library: read our responses to questions that have been submitted to the What IF . . . forum

Support the work of the intellectual freedom work of the CCBC by contributing to the
Ginny Moore Kruse Intellectual Freedom Fund

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	CCBC Intellectual Freedom Information Services What IF Forum Thinking about IF Steps to Take When Materials Are Challenged Education/Advocacy Groups GMKruse Intellectual Freedom Fund Intellectual Freedom The principles of intellectual freedom--the idea that a democracy is dependent upon free and open access to ideas—are hallmarks of the library and education professions. But librarians and teachers sometimes face strong opinions regarding what material people think is appropriate for children and teenagers to have access to in a school library, public library, or classroom. What does that mean for librarians and teachers today? It means they must understand the principles of intellectual freedom, and also how those principles are applied in the real world. They must be willing to acknowledge their own biases and fears and then move beyond them. And they must be prepared to defend the rights of the children and teens for whom they have a professional responsibility. The CCBC specializes in in intellectual freedom issues as they relate to children's and teens' access to materials in libraries and classrooms: CCBC Services CCBC Intellectual Freedom Information Services: provide information and referral for Wisconsin librarians and teachers who are facing attempts to censor materials for minors in their libraries and classrooms. (Read an article about the CCBC service.) What IF . . . Forum: a question-and-answer forum for librarians, teachers, administrators and others who have questions about what the principles of intellectual freedom look like in practice. Resources Thinking about Intellectual Freedom: definitions, general information, professional statements, policies and procedures, self-censorship, recommended books and more Steps to Take When Materials are Challenged: suggestions, support, and helpful links Education and Advocacy Groups: selected links What IF . . . Library: read our responses to questions that have been submitted to the What IF . . . forum Support the work of the intellectual freedom work of the CCBC by contributing to the Ginny Moore Kruse Intellectual Freedom Fund