Practicing Intellectual Freedom in Libraries - Softcover

Oltmann, Shannon M.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1440863121 ISBN 13: 9781440863127

Publisher: Libraries Unlimited, 2019

Synopsis

A solid introduction to and analysis of a core value of American librarianship. All librarians and library and information science scholars can benefit from learning more about intellectual freedom. This book relies on research and practical real-world scenarios to conceptualize and contextualize it. Practicing Intellectual Freedom in Libraries is helpful for a wide range of people, from those only starting to learn about intellectual freedom to those more well-versed in the subject. For novices, it offers a solid introduction to intellectual freedom, grounded theoretically and empirically; for more experienced scholars and librarians, it provides a uniquely comprehensive analysis of intellectual freedom. Intellectual freedom is important for librarians because it is a foundation of the profession and is truly central to librarianship in the United States. Situating intellectual freedom within freedom of speech theories, this book explains the legal and theoretical foundations for contemporary understandings of intellectual freedom within library science. Additionally, it depicts the importance of community to implementing intellectual freedom and exemplifies this importance in a discussion of actual library practices. Real-world scenarios provide a timely look at intellectual freedom in context, discussing Internet filtering, collection development and weeding, meeting rooms and exhibit spaces, programming, and fake news and misinformation.

• Learn to apply intellectual freedom to your librarianship
• Develop a deeper understanding of the legal and theoretical bases for intellectual freedom in the United States
• Understand the theoretical and empirical foundations of intellectual freedom
• Grasp how an institution's community affects the interpretation and application of intellectual freedom

About this title

About the Author

Shannon M. Oltmann is associate professor in the School of Information Science at the University of Kentucky. Her research interests include censorship, intellectual freedom, information policy, public libraries, privacy, and qualitative research methods.

Edition details

• Publisher: Libraries Unlimited
• Publication date: 2019
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1440863121
• ISBN 13: 9781440863127
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 208