Resources | Educational Programs | Committee Members | Purpose and Objectives | Annual Report |
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
Susan Brown, Chair (2008)
Shaker Heights Public Library
Work: 216-991-2030
Email: sfbrown2@sbcglobal.net
Ben Lathrop, Assistant Chair (2008)
Lane Public Library
Work: 513-858-3238 x317
Email: b.lathrop@lanepl.org
Charles Cody, Committee (2008)
Columbus Metro Library
Work: 614-849-1233
Email: ccody@columbuslibrary.org
William Hartley, Committee (2009)
Fairfield County District Library
Work: 740-653-2745 x109
Email: whartley@fcdlibrary.org
Chris Owens, Committee (2010)
Blanchester Public Library
Work: 937-783-3585
Email: owensch@oplin.org
Jeff Regensburger, Committee (2010)
Worthington Libraries
Work: 614-807-2656
Email: jregensb@worthingtonlibraries.org
Deborah Shelton, Committee (2009)
Morley Library
Work: 440-352-3383 x207
Email: dshelton@morleylibrary.org
Judithe Soppel, Committee (2008)
Cleveland Hts - University Hts Public Library
Work: 216-932-3600 x277
Email: jsoppel@heightslibrary.org
Amy Switzer, Committee (2010)
Cleveland Hts-University Hts Public Library
Work: 216-932-3600 x288
Email: aswitzer@heightslibrary.org
Molly Carver, Board Liaison (2008)
Purpose and Objectives
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.
Unit Objectives
In addition to the goals and objectives in the Ohio Library Council Long-Range Plan,
1. Review and recommend revisions to the OLC Intellectual Freedom Brochure.
2. Continue to plan and present programming at conferences, conventions, and other continuing education venues.
3. Create fundamental Intellectual Freedom content for New Director's workshops and general audience information.
4. Produce web-based content that can be used by individuals or for local staff meetings to be made available through the OLC website.
5. Make the Intellectual Freedom Committee's archives available to researchers and practicum students by notifying graduate programs of their existence and location.
6. Research options for communicating with OLC members via the OLC website or other means.
Annual Report
Annual Report - 2007 (None Submitted)
