IFRT Members Community (Open)

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The Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) provides a forum for the discussion of activities, programs, and problems in intellectual freedom of libraries and librarians.

The IFRT Members Community group is the central hub for discussion, library and events. It is visible to all ALA members but only IFRT members can participate in the conversation.

  • 1.  Public Library Intellectual Freedom Role in the Community

    Posted Mar 28, 2023 02:54 PM

    Our Intellectual Freedom Committee is exploring what our role should be in the community. This is outside our material evaluation policy and process. We are also working with our learning department on staff education. For the community, we have talked about the following:

    • An educational role with presentations to our various Friends groups, local groups, and to the public
    • Promoting intellectual freedom values through displays, events, and communication
    • Sponsoring programs such as a year of Celebrate Freedom to Read

    We are still discussing what role we should fulfill when schools in our service area face an IF challenge. We'd like to hear about what other libraries are doing.

    Thanks!



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    Tracey Thompson
    Director of Collection Management Services
    King County Library System
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  • 2.  RE: Public Library Intellectual Freedom Role in the Community

    Posted Mar 30, 2023 03:14 PM
    Dear Tracey Thompson:

    Thank you for your message.  I recently retired as an adult librarian from the Los Angeles Public Library,  and continue to work as a substitute librarian and  writer/educator.   In a speech to the conference on the future of libraries at the San Francisco Public Library last October,  I offered some ideas on programming to confront disinformation and book bans.   The video link is below.  Looking forward to your thoughts.  

    Best,
    Frieda Afary