School Library Handbook

“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 and Censorship Q & A

http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/

Intellectual freedom is a core value of the library profession, and Article V of the Library Bill of Rights affirms special protections to minors using libraries: “A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.” The school library center has the unique responsibility of introducing young citizens to the world of information. Nowhere else do children and young adults have unlimited daily access to books, magazines, newspapers, online resources, and the Internet. Students have the right to a relevant, balanced, and diverse school library collection that represents all points of view; school librarian assume a leadership role in protecting minors’ First Amendment right to read and receive information and ideas.