Ohio Library Council-->Divisions, Chapters, & Committees-->Committees-->Intellectual Freedom

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

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

William Hartley, Committee (2012)
Fairfield County District Library
Work: 740-653-2745 x109

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

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.

Unit Objectives

In addition to the goals and objectives in the Ohio Library Council Long-Range Plan,