INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM RESOURCES

Updated 1/24/2024

Includes resources compiled by the Intellectual Freedom Special Interest Group

and the Intellectual Freedom Committee of the Wisconsin Library Association.

Intellectual Freedom is the right of every individual to both seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction. It provides for free access to all expressions of ideas through which any and all sides of a question, cause or movement may be explored.

-ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom

Wisconsin Library Association

Statement on the Freedom to Read and Intellectual Freedom

Wisconsin Library Association Intellectual Freedom Toolkit

(updated March 2024)

The Intellectual Freedom Committee of the Wisconsin Library Association developed this toolkit as a way for community members, librarians and trustees to gain a deeper understanding of intellectual freedom as it relates to libraries in Wisconsin. The toolkit is intended to provide resources to help libraries and their communities navigate these issues while protecting the rights of individual readers.

Intellectual Freedom Toolkit

Wisconsin Library Association Intellectual Freedom Survey Report 2023

2023 Intellectual Freedom Survey Report

Wisconsin Library Association Legislative Advocacy

Library Legislative Day

Bills We’re Watching

Life Cycle of a Book and The Process for Materials Challenges

Parent/Guardian Resources & Shelving a Book

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction: Wisconsin Public Library Policy Resources

Materials Selection, Collection Development, Challenged Materials & Weeding

American Library Association (ALA)

ALA Legislative Toolkit - The American Library Association (ALA) has published a State Legislative Toolkit to help organizations advance state legislation that supports libraries, library workers, and the communities they serve. The State Legislative Toolkit offers advocates guidance to effectively navigate legislative sessions proactively, as well as respond to adverse legislation; tools and resources for developing well-written library policies; contact information for ALA’s intellectual freedom and legislative support services; and more. Authored by the Public Policy and Advocacy Office, in partnership with the Office for Intellectual Freedom. Learn more.

ALA Intellectual Freedom News - Free weekly compilation of news delivered to your inbox by the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom, including current book challenges in libraries and schools, and articles about privacy, internet filtering, academic freedom, censorship, and free speech. Click here to subscribe.

University of Wisconsin-Madison Cooperative Children's Book Center

Intellectual Freedom Information Services

What IF … Forum
What IF is a question-and-answer forum for teachers, school and public librarians and others in the library and education fields. We all have questions about intellectual freedom and challenges to materials. The What IF forum is a place to turn to ask these questions before a challenge occurs, and to help think through what the principles of intellectual freedom look like in practice.

Resources and Statements in Response to Recent Challenges and Public Attacks Against Materials in Libraries and Classrooms