Protecting Intellectual Freedom and Privacy in Your School Library (SLM Hot Topics) - Softcover

Adams, Helen R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1610691385 ISBN 13: 9781610691383

Publisher: Libraries Unlimited, 2013

Synopsis

Written by a well-known intellectual freedom advocate, this book is a one-stop source for school librarians on intellectual freedom and privacy issues that blends principles with best practices.

In order to sort out fact from fiction and become effective, critically thinking adults in a global society, children need access to diverse points of view from authoritative sources in their school libraries. This book provides school librarians with easy-to-read guidance on specific aspects of intellectual freedom and privacy, explaining how the core values of the library profession translate into everyday practice. The readings supply current information and targeted, practical advice on a broad range of topics, including privacy and confidentiality in the context of a school library; working with homeless students, English language learners, and other special needs students; challenges to school library materials; filtering issues; and advocacy for intellectual freedom.

Each of the nine chapters begins with an introductory essay examining the topic and concludes with a "key ideas" summary; a list of annotated resources to lead the reader to more information on the individual column topics; and discussion questions. The volume's appendices include the text of the ALA Library Bill of Rights and the Code of Ethics as well as an annotated list of pro-First Amendment and privacy protecting organizations with contact information.

About this title

About the Author

Helen R. Adams, MLS, is an online instructor in the School Library and Information Technologies Program at Mansfield University, Mansfield, PA.

Reviews

School librarians at any grade level will find this book thought-provoking, especially if they are updating their library policies or training staff on privacy issues. Primarily a collection of columns previously published in School Library Monthly, it also includes updates, summaries, questions to ask, and extensive lists of additional resources. Few school librarians will read this book without questioning their own policies and practices. Do we too often bar students from checking out materials because of overdues? Are our check-out limits too low? Are students restricted by computerized reading programs or required to borrow books from a restricted reading level? Do we adequately protect student privacy? Do shrinking library budgets impede intellectual freedom? These are thorny issues, and many readers will scramble to update their collection-development and privacy policies after reading these thoughtful essays. Of course, the dreaded book challenge gets lengthy consideration-along with ways to prepare for challenges in advance-but issues like internet filters, confidentiality of library records, serving special-needs students and English Language Learners, and the role of the solo librarian serving multiple schools are also addressed. As a result of the many court cases, organizations, documents, and acronyms mentioned, some of the columns are on the dry side. The book comes alive, however, when the author describes actual sticky situations and quotes school librarians coping with real intellectual freedom and privacy issues. School librarians will want to have it on hand for the resources and guidelines it contains, but its real value is in the questions it prompts readers to ask about their own libraries.—Miranda Doyle, Lake Oswego School District, OR

Edition details

• Publisher: Libraries Unlimited
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1610691385
• ISBN 13: 9781610691383
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 280