IF101

1. IF101 Friday, June 24, 2011 American Library Association 2011 Annual Conference New Orleans, Louisiana

2. What is intellectual freedom? • The right to read • The right to view • The right to think • The right to express your opinions • An ever changing, multifaceted, completely fascinating area of librarianship

3. Library Bill of Rights • 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. • 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. • Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment. • Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas. • A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views. • Libraries that 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. • And lots and lots of interpretations!

4. Office for Intellectual Freedom Provides support for the Intellectual Freedom Committee and the other IF activities of the Association • Barbara • Deborah • Angela • Nanette • Me • Bryan • CHICAGO! [Specifically, 50 E. Huron St.] • Call (800) 545-2433 x4223 • Email oif@ala.org

5. Challenges to Library Materials • Challenge support and tracking • Database maintenance • Banned Books Week • September 24-October 1, 2011 • ROBOTS! • Speaking and writing and interviews and training and policy support and public engagement

6. Privacy • Choose Privacy Week • First week of May each year • Interpretations to LBOR • Council resolutions • Advocacy on related issues • Self-serve holds • e-books • more

7. Publications & Education • Intellectual Freedom Manual • AKA The Bible • For sale here at the ALA Store! • Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom • OIF website, www.ala.org/oif • State, local, and national conference presentations • IF101, which you are currently doing • Intellectual Freedom online learning

8. Social Media! • Social media is more important than food these days (I should tweet that) • www.facebook.com/ALAOIF • Twitter: @oif • OIF Blog! www.oif.ala.org/oif • Email counts: IFACTION e-list

9. Intellectual Freedom Round Table • Chair, Loida Garcia-Febo • Carrie Gardner, incoming chair, is in the front row! • Best way for ALA members to get involved in the grassroots intellectual freedom work of the Association • Programs • Awards • Immroth • Oboler • IFRT Report • Intellectual Freedom video series

10. IFRT Programs at ALA11 • Awards Reception • Saturday, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. • Marriott Convention Center, Blaine Kern B • John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award • HERE THERE BE PIRATES! • Actually, called “New Technologies: The Impact on Government Transparency” • But featuring a real pirate! From Sweden! • But not the kind who kills people • Saturday, 1:30-3:30 p.m. • Convention Center, Room 288-290

11. Get involved in IFRT! • Join • Come to meetings • Become part of a committee • Awards (Immroth, Oboler) • Program • Nominating • Membership Promotion • Bylaws & Organization • Publications • Do stuff on that committee

12. Intellectual Freedom Committee • Julius Jefferson, outgoing chair • Pat Scales, incoming chair • A Committee of Council • 3 meetings each during Midwinter and Annual • Frequent work between meetings • Policy recommendations • Privacy Subcommittee

13. IFC Programs at ALA11 • Daniel Ellsberg (film tomorrow & panel Sunday) • IFC/FTRF Issues Briefing Session • Open shelf holds: a chance for you to give your input on IFC’s planned resolution • Sunday, 4-5:30 p.m., MCC 354 • IFC/COL • “When It Leaks, It Pours” – about WikiLeaks and access to government info • Monday, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Monteleone – Queen Anne BR • IFC/AAP • “Whose Common Sense?” about book labeling systems • Monday, 1:30-3:30 p.m., MCC 393-394

14. Committee on Professional Ethics • Incoming chair, Martin Garnar • Committee of Council • Ethics program • “Promoting Ethical Literacy in Youth: How Librarians Can Partner with Parents and Teachers” • Sunday, 1:30-3:30 p.m. • Convention Center Room 243

15. ALA Code of Ethics [HIGHLIGHTS] • “highest level of service” • “equitable access” • “accurate, unbiased, and courteous responses to all requests” • “uphold the principles of intellectual freedom” • “resist all efforts to censor library resources” • “treat co-workers with respect” • “right to privacy and confidentiality” • “respect intellectual property rights” • “do not allow our personal beliefs to interfere” • “strive for excellence in the profession”

16. Freedom to Read Foundation • President, Kent Oliver • Founded in 1969 • Protect the First Amendment, particularly with regard to libraries, primarily via litigation • SEPARATE FROM ALA! Including separate membership • Also a 501(c)(3) • Island Trees. COPA. CIPA. Patriot Act. California Video Game Case. • Conable Scholarship (everyone, meet Audrey. Audrey, meet everyone) • Krug Fund!

17. FTRF activities at ALA11 • FTRF Board Meeting (happened yesterday) • FTRF Member Reception (also, too, happened yesterday) • IFC/FTRF Briefing Session (mentioned previously, hope you were paying attention) • Midwinter! Author event • Sunday evening • Dallas Public Library • Very classy, but in a totally accessible way

18. Join the Freedom to Read Foundation! • It’s only $35 • Be a party to major Supreme Court litigation. Vote, get FTRF Newsletter, wear this cool red ribbon. • Boast • Actually, it’s only $10 for students … free for LIS grads • Your membership is truly appreciated

19. LeRoy C. Merritt Humanitarian Fund • Board of three elected trustees • Librarians helping librarians in need • Cash grants to librarians who have been fired or otherwise harmed in their workplace for… • Taking a stand in favor of intellectual freedom • Discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or place of national origin • Recipients asked to repay when they’re able

20. Help spread the word about the Merritt Fund! • Join! • Take some brochures. Pass ‘em around! • Like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/merrittfund) • Talk us up at meetings, on email lists, in newsletters, and among your friends are colleagues • Know someone in need? Please let them know about the work of the Merritt Fund www.merrittfund.org

21. Merritt Fund “Reception for a Cause”/ NMRT Awards Reception SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY! 527 Julia St. [Gallery District] Free admission $10 all-you-can-drink beer & wine Live band!

22. State & Division IFCs • Nearly every state has an intellectual freedom committee or similar entity • Several divisions, too, and they do programs and education and stuff • Web pages on the OIF site • www.ala.org/oif in case you forgot

23. Hey! Come to Miami!! • We’re taking our talents and we’re going to North Miami Beach • It’s on the beach! • Intellectual Freedom in a Changing World • Great panels on religion, comic books, Cuba, sex, and privacy (pronounced in the British way) • August 10-12, 2011 • The Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression Committee of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (pause, take breath) is cosponsoring this preconference in advance of their annual meeting, this year in San Juan, Puerto Rico! • Affordable

24. Bye! • Thanks.