Library Bill of Rights

The Library Bill of Rights

Unit One

​Press "play" to have it read

​"I hate it that Americans are taught to fear some books and some ideas as though they were diseases..." 

• Kurt Vonnegut

• World Renowned Hoosier Author

What is the Library Bill
of Rights?

The purpose of this lesson is to explain
what the Library Bill of Rights are and
give a brief history of how they came to
be; as well as how they can be applied in
the school library.

​Watch this one minute and fifteen second video from a library professor

Whoa!

Dr. Joyce Latham, a professor in the University
of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Information
Studies, was one of roughly 60 people who
spoke at the June 2, 2009 West Bend library
board meeting. The board was considering the
West Bend Parents for Safe Libraries petition to
restrict access to certain Young Adult
materials. Dr. Latham argued against the
petition. At the end of the three-hour meeting
the board voted unanimously to reject the
petition and keep the YA books in their current
location.

How is this video, now
recorded over 13 years
ago, STILL relevant
today?

Multiple Choice

How is this video from the slide before about why the Library Bill of Rights is STILL relevant today?

• There are still many people trying to challenge peoples' rights to information.

• There are no people who are challenging library rights these days.

• The Library Bill of Rights has never been updated since its inception and needs to be reviewed.

• It's not relevant today

What are the Library Bill of
Rights?
Introduction
01

Library Bill of Rights | ALA

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List of the Library Bill of Rights

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.

List of the Library Bill of Rights -contd

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.

7.

All people, regardless of origin, age, background, or views, possess a right to privacy and
confidentiality in their library use. Libraries should advocate for, educate about, and protect people’s privacy, safeguarding all library use data, including personally identifiable information.

Multiple Choice

How many rights are there in the Library Bill of Rights?

• 12
• 10
• 5
• 7

Adopted June 19, 1939, by the ALA

When were the rights
adopted?

•  amended October 14, 1944;

• June 18, 1948

• February 2, 1961

• June 27, 1967;

• January 23, 1980;

• January 29, 2019.

• Inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 23, 1996.

  
  

Reorder

Reorder the following - dates that the bill of rights were amended

• Oct 14, 1944

• June 18, 1948

• Feb 2, 1961

• June 27, 1967

• January 23, 1980

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Multiple Choice

Notice that the first amendment occurred in 1945. What major world event was going on at that time?

• The Cold War
• The Korean War
• The Vietnam War
• World War II

Explore the

"Interpretations"

02

How should these rights be applied
in libraries?

Interpretations of the Library Bill of Rights

Although the Articles of the Library Bill of Rights are unambiguous statements of basic principles that should govern the service of all libraries, questions do arise concerning application of these principles to specific library practices. See the documents designated by the Intellectual Freedom Committee as Interpretations of the Library Bill of Rights.

​Video LINK

Interpretations of the Library Bill of Rights | ALA

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Question 1
Which interpretation
supports the forgiveness
of late fees for minor
patrons?

Dropdown

​ The forgiveness of late fees for minor  patrons is supported by

Select answer

​ ​ ​

Question 2
Which interpretation
supports the use of library
spaces for LGBTQ groups having a
meetings?

Dropdown

The use of library
spaces for LGBTQ groups

Select answer

​

Question 3
Which interpretation
supports the curation
of books by people of
color and indigenous
authors?

Dropdown

The curation
of books by people of

Select answer

​

Question 4
Which interpretation
supports the minor's use of internet in libraries?

Dropdown

The minor's use of internet in libraries is supported by ​ ​

Select answer

​

Question 5
Which interpretation
supports the open use of meeting rooms in libraries?

Dropdown

The open use of meeting room in libraries is supported by ​ ​

​

Select answer

​

Banned Books Week
2025

Nice job on those questions!

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