Intellectual Freedom Challenges to Library-Initiated Programs: Some Recent Examples from Illinois Libraries

Intellectual Freedom Committee

September 1, 2022

Article published by ILA Intellectual Freedom Committee in the September 2022, Volume XL, Issue 3 of the ILA Reporter (Download PDF)

Written by Jeremy Andrykowski, Oak Park Public Library and Matt Matkowski, Palos Heights Public Library

The American Library Association describes intellectual freedom as “the right of every individual to both seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction.”1 Library-initiated events and programs pose unique intellectual freedom challenges for library workers. During recent years, there have been numerous attempts by members of the public to cancel or restrict library-initiated events and programs in Illinois. These challenges have been mounted by political conservatives as well as by political progressives. Both public and academic libraries have faced these challenges head-on, and their responses in defense of intellectual freedom can serve to guide and inspire library workers throughout Illinois.

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