tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263467872083915012024-02-20T19:53:59.947-06:00Intellectual Freedom - It's Not Just Banned BooksThis is a blog of the Nebraska Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee. The committee works toward keeping the NLA membership informed on intellectual freedom issues, and in defense of those issues for libraries and media centers of the state. The committee also keeps in touch with the ALA Intellectual Freedom Office, and alerts and informs the membership of intellectual freedom concerns. This blog is intended to help communicate concerning IF issues, questions, and activities.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-126346787208391501.post-28025730727327156792010-07-16T10:29:00.002-05:002010-07-16T10:35:09.138-05:00The Intellectual Freedom Committee met Friday, July 16, 2010, at the University of Nebraska at Omaha Criss Library. We welcome your suggestions for Banned Book Week activities. Banned Book Week is October September 25-October 2, 2010.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-126346787208391501.post-37023782044674974262009-04-28T11:14:00.002-05:002009-04-28T11:29:56.251-05:00Upcoming ALA Intellectual Freedom EventsALA and various ALA divisions are presenting a variety of IF events this year. Some that may interest you are:<br /><br />AASL:<br /><br />Program at 2009 ALA Annual Conference (Chicago, IL) - “Minors’ Rights in School Library Media Centers”; Saturday, July 11, 1:30-3:00 p.m. <br /><br />Preconference at 2009 AASL National Conference (Charlotte, NC) - “Law for School Librarians: Knowing Minors’ Rights”; Thursday, Nov. 5 <br /><br />ACRL:<br /><br />Program at 2009 ALA Annual Conference (Chicago, IL) - “Academic and Intellectual Freedom Climate on Campus—Are our Freedoms Secure in the Next Generation?”; Saturday, July 11, 3:30-5:30 p.m. <br /><br />ALSC:<br /><br />Preconference at 2009 ALA Annual Conference (Chicago, IL) - ” ALSC Preconference- Meeting the Challenge: Practical Tips & Inspiring Tales on Intellectual Freedom”; Friday, July 10, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. <br /><br />Co-sponsoring program with GLBTRT @ 2009 ALA Annual Conference (Chicago, IL) - ” What Makes Tango So Scary? Serving Your Whole Library Population, Intellectual Freedom, and Censorship of LGBT Children’s Books”; Sunday, July 12, 1:30-4:30 p.m. <br /><br />ALTAFF: <br />Program at 2009 ALA Annual Conference (Chicago, IL) - “Change is in the Air: How Intellectual Freedom Affects You in Your Library”; Saturday, July 11, 10:30-noon <br /><br />RUSA:<br /><br />Two programs on privacy at the 2009 ALA Annual Conference (Chicago, IL) <br /><br />“The Secret Life of Our Data: Privacy in the Digital Age” - Saturday, July 11, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m., RUSA STARS <br /><br />“Who Cares About Privacy? Boundaries, Millennials and the MySpace Mindset” - Sunday, July 12, 10:30 a.m. - noon, RUSA MARS <br /><br />YALSA:<br /><br />Coordinating 2009 ALA Annual Conference Program (Chicago, IL): “Walk the Line: The Fine Line Between Selection and Censorship” - Monday, July 13, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. This is a joint AASL/ALSC/YALSA program.<br /><br />From: http://www.oif.ala.org/oif/Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-126346787208391501.post-72746990949360879662008-09-04T14:39:00.002-05:002008-09-04T14:47:27.363-05:00Considering Censorship?Intellectual Freedom, a library in Alaska and politics ....sounds like a news story that should be mentioned here! A September 2, 2008 New York Times article <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/03/us/politics/03wasilla.html?hp">http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/03/us/politics/03wasilla.html?hp</a> "Palin's Start in Alaska: Not Politics As Usual" includes accounts of Sarah Palin, newly elected in 1996 as Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, approaching the town librarian about the possibility of banning some books. Later Palin fired the librarian and then reinstated her. Sarah Palin is now the Republican candidate for Vice President. Is this story of any importance? Do you know of other high profile individuals that have at the very least publicly flirted with impinging upon Intellectual Freedom? Let us know if you have. We're collecting news stories for our discussion session at the NLA/NEMA conference in October and we're always looking for a good exchange of opinions!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-126346787208391501.post-31288664121465205922008-09-03T10:32:00.000-05:002008-09-03T12:14:36.476-05:00Printable One State, One Banned Book 8"x11 1/2"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchHxTD3fmBUUNG-y1eh-Lq2RKnzhI3m_DqiwUWcY2kMyIWYv9imLDDhudfSMSjia4_0vdtb8XFbguWQqxdkudoRS6GAJbr9-taCqXZKoCRHEUJ2vmGGiqAeyhpWxdQ_Sn-tNNAM23JT69/s1600-h/One+State,+One+Banned+Book+2008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241844349483335682" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchHxTD3fmBUUNG-y1eh-Lq2RKnzhI3m_DqiwUWcY2kMyIWYv9imLDDhudfSMSjia4_0vdtb8XFbguWQqxdkudoRS6GAJbr9-taCqXZKoCRHEUJ2vmGGiqAeyhpWxdQ_Sn-tNNAM23JT69/s400/One+State,+One+Banned+Book+2008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Angels Theatre Group will be doing reading from banned books during banned books week. Spread the word by downloading a <a href="http://www.selsne.org/flyer%20ossobblo08.pdf">poster</a> with event dates and times for Lincoln and Omaha locations. There will also be events in Norfolk and Alliance; seperate posters will be downloadable when dates are definite.</div><div></div><div>Let us know what you have planned!</div>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01578767493564002606noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-126346787208391501.post-18776383988235479672008-08-29T14:29:00.000-05:002008-08-29T14:40:02.505-05:002008 One State, One Banned Book<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zJrpw9ll9T_o41kVfXChNu4dSptMFQbk6C1AHBsfBvANuWmXVu0PagbwdwhJwQiGEyuogG7ef3tC-kamsoxs3QNRwE6moUF8hz8Sj-6f0BYL2RVuMJO7FkEaEELa8-M7QqRj3C1XlCmC/s1600-h/flyer+1+one+state+one+banned+book+2008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zJrpw9ll9T_o41kVfXChNu4dSptMFQbk6C1AHBsfBvANuWmXVu0PagbwdwhJwQiGEyuogG7ef3tC-kamsoxs3QNRwE6moUF8hz8Sj-6f0BYL2RVuMJO7FkEaEELa8-M7QqRj3C1XlCmC/s320/flyer+1+one+state+one+banned+book+2008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240026374045515138" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"> <span style="font-family:georgia;">Or should that be One Nebraska Three Banned Books?<br /><br />We have selected the second year's choices for Banned Books week-September 27-October 4, 2008.<br /> <span style="font-style: italic;">Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus </span>-Barbara Park<br /> <span style="font-style: italic;">The Golden Compass </span>-Philip Pullman<br /> <span style="font-style: italic;">The Catcher in the Rye </span>-J.D. Salinger<br /><br />For a flyer, please download the PDF: 2008 One State, One Banned Book (which will be linked Monday. :))<br /></span></span>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01578767493564002606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-126346787208391501.post-77118517321588936722008-06-09T11:12:00.000-05:002008-06-09T11:21:40.706-05:00Test Your Library Legal IQThe Smallville Public Library opened its doors at their new building on February 1, 2008. The library has three public meeting rooms and makes each available to the public during operational hours. The library’s goal in making these rooms available is “to encourage the use of library meeting rooms for educational, cultural, and community related meetings, programs and activities.” The library’s meeting room policy states that “non-profit and civic organization, for-profit organizations, schools and government organizations may use the space for meetings, programs or activities of educational, cultural or community interest.” The library regulates the meeting rooms in the following ways:<br /><br />1. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis.<br />2. The applicant must submit and application that identifies the applicant and the purpose of the meeting.<br />3. Access to the meeting room is contingent upon approval by the library staff.<br />4. A fee must be paid when a meeting is not open to the general public, when it charges an admission fee, or when it involves sales or solicitation.<br />5. Schools may not utilize a meeting room for instructional purposes as a regular part of the curriculum.<br />6. Rooms may not be used for religious services.<br /><br />On June 1, 2008, the Miniseries of Faith Evangelical Church completed an application for three separate meeting rooms on three separate days. The first meeting was entitled “Wordshop” and was described as follows: “The Making of an Intercessor, an endtime call to prayer for every believer, and how to pray fervent, effectual prayers that God hears and answers.” Wordshop was devoted to the topic of communication and how to communicate effectively with one’s god. The second meeting was called “Praise and Worship” and included a sermon by the church’s pastor. This meeting involved pure religious services. The third meeting was a Bible study. It was described as “A gathering of readers engaged in an in-depth study of the Holy Bible.”<br /><br /><span style="color:#990000;">Should the Smallville Public Library allow the Ministries of Faith Evangelical Church access to the meeting rooms for any or all of the three meetings upon payment of the required fee?</span><br /><br /><br />Note: This scenario is hypothetical although not without legal premise. Please post your comments and questions.Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13512587862952636661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-126346787208391501.post-36691989060255930222007-11-05T11:51:00.000-06:002008-11-13T15:38:43.628-06:00Test Your Library Legal IQ<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqE89AkCyGVgiF3stCmkKRPQgGFwRz1wCszIcboFZ955tC55D-IdZrsSHqi7ag5jcbn525lhREKUPFxxPsPtRDYxy0pQ34fIOjO6QtUlZKFBzFvP_78IQhPL49hHTlGgdXboz2XvM2U4/s1600-h/Books+Lega.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129431794794735554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqE89AkCyGVgiF3stCmkKRPQgGFwRz1wCszIcboFZ955tC55D-IdZrsSHqi7ag5jcbn525lhREKUPFxxPsPtRDYxy0pQ34fIOjO6QtUlZKFBzFvP_78IQhPL49hHTlGgdXboz2XvM2U4/s200/Books+Lega.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div>John Smith and Sally Jones are employees of the Litigious Public Library. John and Sally are involved in an association called the “Good News Librarians” and posted a flyer on a bulletin board next to the refrigerator in the employee lounge. As stated in the flyer, the Good News Librarians call on individuals to “preserve our workplace with integrity” and “is a forum for people of faith to express their views on contemporary issues of the day with respect for the natural family, marriage, and family values.” The Good News Librarians also “oppose all views that seek to redefine the natural family and marriage.” In fact, in its “Statement of Faith”, the Good News Librarians explain that “we believe the natural family is defined as a man and a woman, their children by birth or adoption, or the surviving remnant thereof (including single parents)” and that “we believe in family values that promote abstinence, marriage, fidelity in marriage and devotion to our children.”<br /><br />The flyer came to the attention of Tiffany Weeks, a lesbian employed by Litigious Public Library who used the refrigerator by which the flyer was posted. Shortly after seeing the flyer, she spoke with John Smith about the flyer. After the conversation she decided to complain to the city attorney’s office. The library’s branch manager worked with the city attorney to investigate the allegations. The city attorney eventually ordered the branch manager to take the flyer down. <span style="color:#990000;">Were John and Sally’s first amendment rights violated?<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#990000;">Other things to think about</span>:<br /><br />What if the flyer was posted on a bulletin board near the front doors of the library?<br />What if the flyer was not posted at all, but rather offered to library employees during lunch or break?<br />What if John and Sally handed out the flyers outside the front doors of the library on their days off?<br />What if John and Sally e-mailed the flyers to all library employees?<br /><br /></div><br /><div>Note: <span style="color:#990000;">This scenario is hypothetical</span> although not without legal premise. Please post your comments and questions.</div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-126346787208391501.post-78506266696720965762007-10-01T15:38:00.000-05:002007-10-01T16:04:15.875-05:00What's the beef or should that be porkchop??Just in time for banned books week there's been a few more challenges hitting the airwaves. The Arizona Republic reported that George Carlin's audio book, <em>When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?</em> is being challenged for being too racy, irreverent or politically incorrect for public consumption. Perhaps there might have been a clue to irreverence gleaned from the title, or simply based on the fact that it's authored by Carlin. Then the same Arizona Republic article (September 19th, 2007) indicated a customer has requested that the picture book <em>Where Willy Went</em> (Allan) be moved to a parenting collection, rather than the children's area - since Willy is a sperm and the book is about sex. And, not new to the stage of challenged books is - <em>It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex and Sexual Health </em>(Harris & Emberley) has started a conversation in the Sun Journal on immorality, pornography and "normal". Next on the list is a too sexually explicit challenge on the book <em>Sandpiper</em> by Ellen Wittliner, which was on the list of YALSA's Best Books for Young Adults.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-126346787208391501.post-75728606044409032092007-08-29T11:13:00.000-05:002007-08-29T12:22:22.187-05:00Creighton University Cancels Anne LamottI was excited to see Anne Lamott on the schedule with Creighton University for their Women & Health Lecture Series on September 19th, and then extremely disappointed to receive an e-mail notice yesterday that the public lecture had been cancelled. "After careful review of Ms. Lamott's most recent writings (which postdated her contract agreement), we have concluded that key points are in opposition to Catholic teaching which, in our judgment makes her an inappropriate choice for the Women and Health Series" - so, the invitation from Creighton to Lamott to speak was withdrawn. (<a href="http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10117585">An article by Veronica Stickney </a>in yesterday's <em>Omaha-World Herald</em> provides additional details.)<br /><br />An <a href="http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10118776">article by Kevin Cole </a>in today's <em>Omaha World-Herald</em> however reports that another organization, Connections - a coalition of Omaha churches, has taken it upon themselves to sponsor a program with Lamott on September 19th at the Holland Center. It appears Lamott and IF fans owe their thanks to the quick action of Rev. Nancy Brink of North Side Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) who contacted Lamott after hearing of the cancellation with a new invitation to speak. The event is titled: "Faith and Writing and Whatever: A Night With Anne Lamott." Lamott is the author of six novels and five works of nonfiction, the title that got me hooked in reading her work is: <em>Traveling Mercies - Some Thoughts On Faith</em>.<br /><br />If you've got a favorite Lamott story or quote, additional information on her upcoming visit to Omaha, or items to add to the discussion share them by clicking on the comment link below.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-126346787208391501.post-28842294311382054182007-08-29T10:53:00.000-05:002007-08-29T11:00:32.074-05:00And Tango Makes Three<em>And Tango Makes Three</em>, an award-winning children's book based on a true story by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell was listed by ALA's Office of Intellectual Freedom as #1 in their top 10 of annual challenged works for 2006. For those of you who have read the book, own the book, or want to get in on the discussion - what do you think? Have their been concerns expressed on this title or others in Nebraska libraries?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-126346787208391501.post-71474104147815415712007-08-27T13:20:00.000-05:002007-08-27T13:46:28.882-05:008" x 11" Posters for One State, One Banned Book<div align="left">Happy Monday everyone! Trying to make life as simple as possible. Here's a link to the PDFs for 2 posters.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.selsne.org/osobb1.pdf"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">Poster 1</span><span style="color:#6600cc;">:</span></strong></a><span style="color:#6600cc;"> </span>3 books along left edge.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.selsne.org/osobb2.pdf"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">Poster 2:</span></strong></a> Rebel poster. </div><div align="center"><br />And just to spark hopefully some conversations-<br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">who's your favorite "rebel"?</span></strong></div>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01578767493564002606noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-126346787208391501.post-89867209392492058782007-08-22T15:50:00.001-05:002008-11-13T15:38:43.949-06:00One State One Banned Book<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLAGa8k3S4tEwd0W0o91fooGc14MgPBI9LyKqP5bmdTj9HWRMOE18MYEaOvFjrnAEHz3bqhyphenhyphen6mZhmbQTw1Fu-e_dKKsVwAcubydGzpUhD29lp66tRbRIWaUFZsqGGjLmDKtEQbGqGfFg/s1600-h/flyer+1+one+state+one+banned+book.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101633702580011362" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLAGa8k3S4tEwd0W0o91fooGc14MgPBI9LyKqP5bmdTj9HWRMOE18MYEaOvFjrnAEHz3bqhyphenhyphen6mZhmbQTw1Fu-e_dKKsVwAcubydGzpUhD29lp66tRbRIWaUFZsqGGjLmDKtEQbGqGfFg/s400/flyer+1+one+state+one+banned+book.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJ__MoJjlX0XNqLHgzFwWtebUYL09boEHuYg1U8D9Zs7ZBDt1E_a7BxABIwNa2_JcA4wEE_w7xJG9ZtYiQ-RQFbPXAUd_Nvvua2vzH46XR42MjNKaP2yeFGfG_rXpMREJfwwj5FxW5_U/s1600-h/flyer+1+one+state+one+banned+book.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div>Celebrate banned books week September 29th through October 6th and read one, two or all three of these award winning books! Of course these are great titles to read and discuss anytime. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>There's also some great free events happening you can attend in Lincoln and Omaha including programs with the Angel's Theatre Company and also Nebraska Humanities speaker, Wally Seiler, as Mark Twain. See the flyer above for additional information, or feel free to post questions here, or by contacting any of the Nebraska Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee members listed on this page.</div><div></div><div></div><div>If you'd like us to e-mail you a copy of the flyer for posting or sharing - email: <a href="mailto:bsealey@alltel.net">bsealey@alltel.net</a>. </div><br /><div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-126346787208391501.post-70481742401959684032007-08-16T15:48:00.000-05:002008-11-13T15:38:45.055-06:00Banned Books Week September 29th - October 6, 2007<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaRQZsxbYFUAv4vKI5Y6TJAn-l654Eyhybr4Y6rXiO851th33O8upsvHG349hgFsq-29HE0lPkhwHY_kdlxH-8L1Y0eKrk_MlXgIYWVxpTTEG8_kYdnp1OKvtAlJNA-_F2NXC30njIp8/s1600-h/bbw+2007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099409102794211650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaRQZsxbYFUAv4vKI5Y6TJAn-l654Eyhybr4Y6rXiO851th33O8upsvHG349hgFsq-29HE0lPkhwHY_kdlxH-8L1Y0eKrk_MlXgIYWVxpTTEG8_kYdnp1OKvtAlJNA-_F2NXC30njIp8/s200/bbw+2007.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMaUF9mxEAxeQbwcSiQwOxVmJ2V_Jmzt-7QLDN6V7Q4KXFT3un76Ycp2nn7cUipoNF2dkHNdtXbZE9_OnT7CORbewJPed5rHMQ7zRRuaxa0UFSYNkkQ-KfDF10o-OgoLaoT-nOTPCuyo/s1600-h/bbwweb100x100_2007.gif"></a><br /><br /><div>Banned Books week, Celebrating the Freedom to Read is observed during the last week of September each year, <a href="http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bannedbooksweek.htm">www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bannedbooksweek.htm</a>. We'd love to hear what Nebraska libraries, bookstores and others are doing to celebrate Banned Books Week. So, chime in with your ideas, activities, programs - as the best blogs, of course, are those with comments. </div><div> </div><div align="center"><em>"Intellectual Freedom implies a circle, and that circle is broken if either freedom of expression or access to ideas is stifled."</em> </div><div align="center">(Intellectual Freedom Manual, ALA, 7th edition)<br /><br /></div><div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0