Raina Yang
INFO 234-Intellectual Freedom
Library Bill of Rights Assignment
September 13, 2015
Part One: First Interpretation
Name of first selected interpretation: Free Access to Libraries for Minors
How can librarians uphold the principles in Free Access to Libraries for Minors?
Article V of the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights stated, “A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background or views.” The “right to use a library” includes free access to, and unrestricted use of, all the services, materials, and facilities the library has to offer (ALA, 2010). Librarians and their services in the library should uphold the principles of free access to minors. Therefore, minors
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A librarian could violate the principles by limiting collection development based on personal biases and opinions. For example, librarians may put up signs that states “Adults Only.” This can make minors feel restricted in that area. Minors should have the freedom to seek, receive and impart information in any form or by means of their choice. It is not in the authority of the librarian to decide whether contents in the library are appropriate or not. Ultimately, it is the decisions of the parents and guardians to decide what is appropriate for their children.
In addition, librarians can violate equal access to minors by restricting age limits for participation in library events. Sunnyside Regional Library held a “Make your own short graphic novel” event and the age restriction was 14 and up. Therefore, the age ranges from teens to adults. The objective of the event was to have patrons create their own stories and illustrate them. This limits younger adolescents from participating and expressing their ability to be creative or worst, their access to library
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According to ALA, librarian have the professional responsibility to be fair, just, and equitable and to give all library users equal protection in guarding against violation of the library patron’s right to read, view, or listen to materials and resources protected by the First Amendment, no matter what the viewpoint of the author, creator, or selector. If librarians violate this responsibility, then the librarian is also violating the principles put forth in the Library Bill of Rights regarding diverse collection development. It’s the librarian’s sole responsibility to protect the library’s collections from losing materials based on prejudice against certain materials. If a librarian is putting their own views ahead of these principles then they are doing a disservice to their patrons and their library in which they work. Lastly, librarians who do not work hard to provide adequate materials that meet the library community’s needs by following standards and by using established review and selection procedures are also violating these