OLA Intellectual Freedom Staff Training Resources
Archived
Guide no longer being maintained. Last updated in 2018.
Intellectual Freedom Training Resource Guide
This guide is a repository of resources to train library staff, including student workers and volunteers, on a range of intellectual freedom issues. This first page includes general and comprehensive resources. Use the tabs to find resources on specific intellectual freedom topics or types of library.
Do you know of resources which should be added to this guide? Contact the OLA Intellectual Freedom Committee at www.olaweb.org/
Scroll down this page to find video clips introducing intellectual freedom, archived webinar, roll playing scenarios, a checklist, and other resources.
Multnomah County Library Staff Training Slides (Google Slides)
- Intellectual Freedom: Overview, Background, PrinciplesMultnomah County Library Intellectual Freedom Training Team (revised 9/13/2017)
- Module 1: Overview & Ethics, and the Mandatory Reporter ExceptionMultnomah County Library Refresher Training
- Module 2: PrivacyMultnomah County Library Refresher Training
- Module 3: Intersection of Behavioral Rules and Intellectual FreedomMultnomah County Library Refresher Training
Intellectual Freedom video clips
In 2 minutes, historian David McCullough explains why the freedom to think for yourself is a core American value. https://youtu.be/yb39W3lBmVo
- Introduction to Intellectual FreedomText and music overview of what intellectual freedom is and why it is important for democracies and education. Very good introduction for just 3 minutes. Source is listed as Mrs. McCune.
- Intellectual Freedom - meaning, definition, explanationJan. 2017, from Audiopedia, 4:19 minutes. A robotic voice provides a broad definition of intellectual freedom, including its role within libraries.
- Constitutional Law and the First Amendment: Freedom of SpeechFrom Law Shelf (9 minutes). An introduction to the Constitutional framework for free speech.
- Freedom of Speech Exceptions: Categories of Speech NOT ProtectedFrom Law Shelf (10 minutes) Discusses the court cases that establish the 6 limits to free speech: incitement; fighting words; obscenity; defamation; commercial speech; other compelling interests.
Recorded webinars for staff intellectual freedom trainings
- Introduction to Intellectual Freedom for Libraries - 2015 update1 hour InfoPeople webinar with Mary Minow. Focuses on current laws and court cases addressing book challenges, pornography and other free speech topics.
- Ethics and Public ServiceAn ABLE course from Idaho Commission for Libraries. Interactive tutorials on topics including censorship, privacy and intellectual property. Last updated 2009.
- Intellectual Freedom eLearningWebinars on the whole range of intellectual freedom topics from the American Library Association.
Additional staff training resources
- Hateful Conduct in Libraries: Supporting Library Workers and PatronsFrom ALA’s Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services and the Office of Intellectual Freedom, a set of tools for proactive preparation concerning hateful speech and conduct.
- Accessibility check listFrom the Ohio Library Association - a comprehensive checklist for libraries to review how accessible they are, including access to materials and privacy protection.