Author: Kate Lechtenberg
Intellectual Freedom News 6/12/2020
Responding to health and privacy concerns during the reopening of libraries and recent discussions of video surveillance and filming in libraries, the Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC) and its Privacy Subcommittee have approved guidelines to assist library workers: “Guidelines for Reopening Libraries During the COVID-19 Pandemic,” Guidelines on Contact Tracing, Health Checks, and Library Users’ Privacy” and “Video Surveillance in the Library Guidelines.”
Intellectual Freedom News 6/5/2020
“The ALA Executive Board endorses BCALA’s May 28 statement, in which the caucus decries the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis Police Department officers and cites Floyd’s death as “the latest in a long line of recent and historical violence against Black people in the United States.”
Intellectual Freedom News 5/29/2020
ALA Executive Board Stands with APALA in Condemning Xenophobia, Racism | American Libraries; “The ALA Executive Board recognizes that ALA members, library workers, and our library communities are experiencing bigotry and attacks based on racial and ethnic heritage and we must stand in solidarity to work to stop these acts.”
Who I Am & The Books I Choose: Teacher Identities & Text Selection
Like all readers, teachers and librarians develop intimate relationships with books, so it shouldn’t be surprising that the books teachers and librarians choose to offer our students are intimately tied with who we are, what we care about, and what is happening in our lives at any given historical moment.
Intellectual Freedom News 5/15/2020
Business, government, education leaders call for emergency funding for libraries impacted by COVID-19; a resource guide for protecting privacy during a pandemic; lawsuit alleges Gov. Beshear infringed on protesters’ First Amendment rights
Intellectual Freedom News 5/8/2020
After hours of public comment, Mat-Su school board’s vote to rescind book removal is pushed to later this month; Privacy During a Pandemic Town Hall; and The Challenge of Challenges: Strategies for Protecting Inclusion and Silencing Censors
Intellectual Freedom News 5/1/2020
Alaska librarians join forces with free speech organizations and the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom to fight for student’s freedom to read. Read the full letter to the Mat-Su school board.
Intellectual Freedom News 4/24/20
Highlights ALA releases 2020 State of Libraries report Mark your calendar, ALA Virtual: Community through Connection June 24-26, 2020 Top 10 Most Challenged Books List National groups condemn attacks on […]
Intellectual Freedom News 4/17/2020
On Monday, April 20, the ALA will release its “State of America’s Libraries Report.” The annual report provides trend information for all types of libraries and will include the highly anticipated “Top Ten List of the Most Challenged Books of 2019.” #BannedBooksList
To Zoom or Not to Zoom
Discover recent articles about schools banning Zoom, U.S. Senators being told to avoid Zoom, broader concerns about protecting student privacy during online learning, and tips for keeping your Zoom chats safe. The situation has continued to deteriorate, as hate-mongering Zoombombers increased their efforts and hacked Zoom accounts were sold on the dark web.