Intellectual freedom is the right to seek and receive information without restrictions. It is often called the freedom to read and is one of the most important library values.
As a collection development librarian, you help guarantee intellectual freedom by selecting materials that help patrons learn and discover new things, expand their worlds, and generate new ideas.
But building a collection isn’t always easy, especially when your own beliefs might not match patron needs. Learning about the ethics of collection development can help you support your community’s intellectual freedom!
By the end of this tutorial, you’ll be able to:
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Explain professional ethics
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Select items according to library policies and ethics
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Avoid self-censorship when selecting library material
