Intellectual Freedom Events Offered Attendees Opportunity to Learn More
Many opportunities were provided for those wanting to learn more, and up their Intellectual Freedom game during PLA 2022. Below are just a few of the sessions that had an IF twist.
During the Thursday morning Big Ideas session, ALA President Patricia “Patty†Wong announced the results of a new national poll commissioned by the American Library Association, Thursday morning during the Big Ideas session at PLA. “Large majorities of voters across the spectrum oppose book bans and have confidence in libraries,†said Wong.
“More than 330 unique cases of book bans and challenges were reported to ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom between September 1 and November 30, 2021,†said Wong. “Challenge totals in 2021 have more than doubled the number of reports from 2020. No matter where you come from, red state or blue state, we are all united against book bans.†She said the full results will be released during National Library Week, April 3-9.
On Thursday afternoon attendees got advice from Stephanie (Cole) Adams, a Buffalo, NY attorney whose practice includes offering the "Ask the Lawyer" service through the regional library councils of New York; and Executive Director of ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, Deborah Caldwell Stone. ALA Executive Director, Tracie D. Hall opened the forum. “I think by far one of the most frustrating issues over the last two years is the proliferating attempts to shudder the very foundation of our democratic society; free and unfettered access to reading and ideas,†said Hall.
Adams provided a checklist of critical take-aways including that a board member should not do double duty as a library’s lawyer. “If an attorney wants to serve the library pro bono as legal counsel, they should do so, but not as a member of the board,†she said. This could be considered a conflict of interest. Other points included:
- All lawyers serving as legal library counsel should have a written agreement clarifying the extent of their services.
- It is okay to ask a lawyer their hourly rate or a to use a price “not to exceed†clause.
- Legal services should be arranged through a request for proposals.
- Library leadership should require written, attorney-client privileged memos so that there is a solid record of decisions made, even after members have left the board.
Thursday afternoon also provided a time for attendees to meet with their peers in a World Café Style session to discuss challenges, share best practices, and connect on the important issues facing libraries.
PLA member-leaders facilitated discussions on de-escalation; strategies for responding to contentious conversations; staff safety and wellbeing; organized challenges; Board relations; and other intellectual freedom topics. â–
