Ohio Library Council-->Divisions, Chapters, & Committees-->Committees-->Intellectual Freedom

The OLC's Intellectual Freedom Committee works to help Ohio public libraries become more proactive in addressing intellectual freedom issues by offering resources, educational programs, and support.

Resources

Intellectual Freedom Committee Brochure

Intellectual Freedom Policy

Fundamentals of Intellectual Freedom
The Intellectual Freedom Committee has compiled this list of links, articles, and other resources to help you stay informed about intellectual freedom issues in the areas of censorship and materials challenges, Internet access and filtering, children and teens, Patriot Act, DOPA, CIPA, privacy, human resources, and administrative policies and procedures.

Accessibility Temperature Tool
You need to know the pulse of your community. If you do not, you are encouraged to find out. These are guidelines and suggestions to help you determine what your library's temperature and think about some solutions for wellness. Consider the impact of the barriers that block individuals from their right to the freedom of information. Hopefully the Intellectual Freedom Committee has given you some ideas of how to tear down those walls and provide a welcoming atmosphere for all members of your community. Take the Accessibility Temperature of your library.

Educational Programs

The Intellectual Freedom Committee offers two signature programs upon request to help your library set a solid foundation of staff awareness and organizational response.

"Meeting the Challenge"
This program includes:

information on intellectual freedom issues that come up most frequently;
a group activity about challenged titles with participants taking various roles; and
self-evaluation questionnaires to see how your library policies address children's and YA needs, meeting room use, and patron confidentiality.

"The First Thirty Seconds"
This program includes:

an overview of intellectual freedom issues and the right to access information;
practical tips for front-line staff to defuse tense situations; and
real-life scenarios and practice exercises.

If you would like either program presented to your staff, Friends of the Library, or Board of Trustees, please contact a member of the Intellectual Freedom Committee or the OLC.

Committee Members

Julie Arter, Chair (2013)
Columbus Metro Library
Work: 614-479-3152
Email: jarter@columbuslibrary.org

Kimberly Castle-Alberts, Assistant Chair (2013)
Hudson Library & Historical Society
Work: 330-653-6658
Email:kim.alberts@hudson.lib.oh.us

Thomas Brook, Committee (2014)
Delaware County District Library
Work: 740-362-3861
Email: tbrook@delawarelibrary.org

Andrew Harant, Committee (2014)
Cuyahoga County Public Library, Maple Heights Branch
Work: 216-475-5000
Email: aharant@cuyahogalibrary.org

Gregg McCullough, Committee (2015)
York County Library System
Work: 717-235-4313
Email: gmccull1@kent.edu

Jeff Regensburger, Committee (2013)
Worthington Libraries, Northwest Library
Work: 614-807-2652
Email: jregensb@worthingtonlibraries.org

Amy Switzer, Committee (2015)
Shaker Heights Public Library
Work: 216-367-3002
Email: aswitzer@shakerlibrary.org

C. Nicholas Tepe, Committee (2013)
Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library
Work: 740-702-4162
Email:cntepe@gmail.com

This committee is responsible for maintaining OLC's policies on intellectual freedom and for offering guidance for specific Ohio problems. The committee works with the Government Relations Committee and the OLC counsel as the need arises, and maintains communication and interaction with other groups whose objectives parallel those of OLC in the area of intellectual freedom. This provides a broad base for action should it become necessary.