2019 Joint Conference ILA/NLA/NSLA

NLA and ILA team up to cover Intellectual Freedom hot topics in a panel discussion format. The necessity of meeting room policies for libraries, particularly in light of the recent controversy surrounding the ALA’s Library Bill of Rights Meeting Room Interpretation will be discussed. Considerations for library use versus public use and co-sponsorship of events will be covered as well.

Communicating with non-librarians and patrons about Intellectual Freedom topics can be fraught. Scripts for library staff can be useful in conversing in different situations, such as with children, parents, or at the time of a complaint. One librarian will share scripts used in their library, and recommendations for writing and implementing scripts.

The move toward self-service in libraries can create additional challenges when it comes to maintaining patron privacy. Considerations for moving to a self-service model include weighing patron privacy and ease of use.

In context of our significantly divided and often contentious society, how do library staff manage patron responsibility to use the library in a manner which respects the rights of others to use library space and materials, permits staff to conduct library business, and maintain a secure and comfortable environment?

NLA's Intellectual Freedom Manual was created by members of the IF round table primarily to inform and educate Nebraska librarians about intellectual freedom issues. It was envisioned as a brief and handy reference for Nebraska librarians and as a necessary update to a 2004 manual. It has also served as the focus of five presentations to a variety of audiences in the state.