Resources | Educational Programs | Committee Members | Purpose and Objectives | Annual Report |
The OLC's Intellectual Freedom Committee works to help Ohio public libraries become more proactive in addressing intellectual freedom issues by offering resources, educational programs, and support.
Resources
Intellectual Freedom Committee Brochure
Intellectual Freedom Policy
Fundamentals of Intellectual Freedom
The Intellectual Freedom Committee has compiled this list of links, articles, and other resources to help you stay informed about intellectual freedom issues in the areas of censorship and materials challenges, Internet access and filtering, children and teens, Patriot Act, DOPA, CIPA, privacy, human resources, and administrative policies and procedures.
Accessibility Temperature Tool
You need to know the pulse of your community. If you do not, you are encouraged to find out. These are guidelines and suggestions to help you determine what your library's temperature and think about some solutions for wellness. Consider the impact of the barriers that block individuals from their right to the freedom of information. Hopefully the Intellectual Freedom Committee has given you some ideas of how to tear down those walls and provide a welcoming atmosphere for all members of your community. Take the Accessibility Temperature of your library.
Educational Programs
The Intellectual Freedom Committee offers two signature programs upon request to help your library set a solid foundation of staff awareness and organizational response.
"Meeting the Challenge"
This program includes:
- information on intellectual freedom issues that come up most frequently;
- a group activity about challenged titles with participants taking various roles; and
- self-evaluation questionnaires to see how your library policies address children's and YA needs, meeting room use, and patron confidentiality.
"The First Thirty Seconds"
This program includes:
- an overview of intellectual freedom issues and the right to access information;
- practical tips for front-line staff to defuse tense situations; and
- real-life scenarios and practice exercises.
If you would like either program presented to your staff, Friends of the Library, or Board of Trustees, please contact a member of the Intellectual Freedom Committee or the OLC.
Committee Members
Jeff Regensburger, Chair (2010)
Worthington Libraries
Work: 614-807-2656
Email: jregensb@worthingtonlibraries.org
Amy Switzer, Assistant Chair (2010)
Shaker Heights Public Library
Work: 216-991-2030
Email: aswitzer@shakerlibrary.org
Julie Arter, Committee (2012)
Columbus Metro Library
Work: 614-479-3152
Email: jarter@columbuslibrary.org
Charles Cody, Committee (2011)
Columbus Metro Library
Work: 614-849-1233
Email: ccody@columbuslibrary.org
Susan Corl, Committee (2011)
Holmes County District Public Library
Work: 330-674-5972 x203
Email: scorl@holmeslib.org
Amanda Guttman, Committee (2012)
Amherst Public Library
Work: 440-988-4230
Email: argutt@gmail.com
Gregg McCullough, Committee (2010)
Kent State University
Work: 330-672-2270
Email: gmccull1@kent.edu
Chris Owens, Committee (2010)
Blanchester Public Library
Work: 937-783-3585
Email: owensch@oplin.org
Ginaya Willoughby, Committee (2010)
Cleveland Public Library
Work: 216-623-2815
Email: gdwilloughby@gmail.com
Paula Brehm-Heeger, Board Liaison
Purpose and Objectives
This committee is responsible for maintaining OLC's policies on intellectual freedom and for offering guidance for specific Ohio problems. The committee works with the Government Relations Committee and the OLC counsel as the need arises, and maintains communication and interaction with other groups whose objectives parallel those of OLC in the area of intellectual freedom. This provides a broad base for action should it become necessary.
Objectives
1. Develop and make accessible a video introduction to intellectual freedom issues in libraries. This video will be designed primarily to help library staff, board members, and administrators better understand the basics of intellectual freedom in libraries.
2. Develop two educational programs that can be delivered electronically through OLC and the Dimdim software program.
3. Develop and present “Beyond Banned Books: Libraries and Intellectual Freedom in the 21st Century” at OLC's “Think Again” day of education event at KSU.
4. Increase the number of followers for our OLC Intellectual Freedom Committee Twitter feed to 250.
Annual Report
2009 Annual Report
