MASL Intellectual Freedom - MASL

What is Intellectual Freedom (IF) ?

“Intellectual freedom [is] the freedom to hold, receive and disseminate ideas without restriction” –Wikipedia

“Intellectual freedom is every learner’s right.” –AASL Standards, 2018

“The school librarian assume a leadership role in protecting minors’ First Amendment right to read and receive information and ideas.” –AASL, Intellectual Freedom and
Censorship Q & A

MLA Connect Advocacy Hour With John Chrastka: When the Challenges Become Politicized

What is MASL IF and what can we do for you?

Inform you of Intellectual Freedom issues in Michigan and around The US
Provide resources and helps (like a sample materials selection policy…see below)
Support you when facing a real or potential challenge

What can you do for Intellectual Freedom?

Select books with students’ needs/interests at the forefront
Ask: If not your library, where? If not now, when?
Build diverse collections that reflect your users
Create a materials selection policy that includes a reconsideration form, and process
If you know of a challenge, contact MAME IF or ALA OIF (Information is always confidential)

MASL IF Resources:

MASL, MCTE, & MRA Freedom to Read Statement.

ALA Library Bill of Rights

ALA Freedom to Read Statement

School Libraries & Book Challenges

MI Right to Read

MDE Memorandum on Best Practices for School LIbrary Collections

MDE State Board of Education Resolution in Support of the Freedom to Read

Materials Selection Policy Sample Editable
File Size:	128 kb
File Type:	docx

Materials Selection Policy Sample Viewable
File Size:	128 kb
File Type:	docx

MAME IF Page Write-Up
File Size:	35 kb
File Type:	docx

Banned Books Resources Hub

United Against Book Bans: Action Toolkit

National Coalition Against Censorship

Challenge of Challenges: North Hunterdon HS

SLJ Read Free Resource: Open Books, Open Doors

Advocacy Alliance Brainstorming Tool

PEN America: The Freedom to Write

Michigan Book Banning Related Articles

Articles:

What’s It Like to Be the Target of A Book Banning Effort? School Librarian Martha Hickson Tells Her Story.

Books Restricted, Removed in MS, IA, OR, and FL Districts; ‘Out of Darkness’ Stays at NC High School | Censorship Roundup

The education culture war is raging. But for most parents, it's background noise

Utah Attorney General Provides Legal Framework to Fight Book Bans

Further information:

MASL Intellectual Freedom Chair: Stephanie Luyt

ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom
Telephone: 800-545-2433 ext. 4220
email: oif@ala.org

National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Intellectual Freedom Center
email: IntellectualFreedom@ncte.org