Director American Library Association Office for Intellectual Freedom
Chicago, IL
With increased pressure from local, county, or state officials, and sometimes law enforcement, it is important for librarians to understand their First Amendment rights to collect, and provide, materials for their patrons. Directives given to library staff are often vague and include, or allude to, threats to their jobs, without giving guidance on how to implement changes in policies or state laws. Attendees will learn about the legal obligations of libraries as related to the First Amendment to better understand how they can provide library services while also functioning within state and local law.
