Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC)

What is intellectual freedom and why is it important?

“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.  Intellectual freedom is the basis for our democratic system. We expect our people to be self-governors. But to do so responsibly, our citizenry must be well-informed. Libraries provide the ideas and information, in a variety of formats, to allow people to inform themselves.  Intellectual freedom encompasses the freedom to hold, receive and disseminate ideas.”

- from the ALA Intellectual Freedom and Censorship Q & A

Resources for Libraries and Librarians

How can I be prepared for censorship challenges?

• Understand the philosophy and principles of intellectual freedom.
• Use the ALA "Selection &  Reconsideration Policy Toolkit for Public, School, & Academic Libraries."
• View these Materials Selection Policies from Montana libraries
• Be sure that your policies are based on the ALA Code of Ethics, Library Bill of Rights, Freedom to Read Statement, and Montana Standards for Information Literacy
• Provide rationales for acquisitions
• Provide continuing education on intellectual Freedom for staff and board

What should I do if a challenge occurs?

• Follow this Challenge Flow Chart
• Differentiate between a statement of concern and a formal complaint
• Provide supporting reviews for the materials in question
• Explain policy and procedures for reconsideration
• Provide necessary forms to complainant, if available
• Report the challenge and resolution to MLA Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC)
• Report the challenge anonymously to ALA at http://www.ala.org/tools/challengesupport/report

What should we do if a challenge reaches the public hearing stage?

• Employ a neutral facilitator to manage the proceedings
• Let people have their say
• Be prepared to deal with the press
• Remember that the ultimate decision about retention of items rests with the District Superintendent or Library Board.

Why is it important to report censorship challenges?

• Censorship challenges are stressful and can be damaging to staff morale and the library’s reputation.  Sharing your experience with challenges and resolutions provides help and moral support to other librarians that encounter censorship attempts.

Where can I go for help with challenges?

• Contact MLA Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC)
• Contact ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom   
• Find resources on the MLA IFC website (wiki)

How can the MLA Intellectual Freedom Committee help?

• Maintains regular communications with, offers assistance to librarian until resolution
• Reports to MLA Board and membership on status of challenge
• Reports on resolution of challenge to MLA Board & membership and ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom
• Adds information about challenge to website (wiki)
• Sends documents pertaining information about challenge to MLA Executive Director who will forward for archiving at the Montana Historical Society