Be Aware of the Library Bill of Rights

I ask your indulgence to deviate from the regular light-hearted nature of this column to highlight a matter of concern. The American Library Association (ALA), which is the umbrella organization for American libraries, and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have filed lawsuits against the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). The CIPA is the federal Internet filtering law that protects children from pornography while they are visiting public libraries. The court has consolidated the two cases, and the trial is set for February 14, 2002.

Following is the document known as The Library Bill of Rights, which was adopted in 1948 and amended on February 2, 1961, and January 23, 1980, with the inclusion of "age" reaffirmed on January 23, 1996, by the ALA Council:

Library Bill of Rights

The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.

1. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.


2. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.


3. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
   
4. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.


5. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.


6. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.
   

Compliance to the Children’s Internet Protection Act was set for July 26, 2001. Ask the librarian at your public library what steps have been taken to come into compliance with this law. In the meantime, as Paul Harvey would say, "Stand by . . . for the rest of the story."