An Interpretation of ALA's Library Bill of Rights

The right of free access to information for all individuals is basic to all aspects of library service regardless of type of library. Article 5 of the Library Bill of Rights protects the rights of an individual to use a library regardless of origin, age, background, or views. The central thrust of the Library Bill of Rights is to protect and encourage the free flow of information and ideas. The American Library Association urges that all libraries set policies and procedures that reflect the basic tenets of the Library Bill of Rights.

Many libraries have adopted administrative policies and procedures regulating access to resources, services, and facilities, i.e., specific collections, reference services, interlibrary loan, programming, meeting rooms, exhibit space. Such policies and procedures governing the order and protection of library materials and facilities, and the planning of library programs and exhibits, or for discriminating against specific groups of library patrons. Such abuse of administrative procedures and policies is in opposition to the Library Bill of Rights.

The American Library Association recommends that all libraries with rare or special collections formulate policies and procedures for the nature of the patron interest in the materials. Restricted access to such collections is solely for the protection of the materials, and must in no way limit access to the information and ideas contained in the materials.

The Model Interlibrary Loan Code of the American Library Association recommends that all library patrons be eligible for interlibrary loan, in accordance with Article 5 of the Library Bill of Rights and the statement Free Access to Libraries for Minors. The Model Interlibrary Loan Code states the importance of considering the needs and interests of all users, including children and young adults.

Borrowing libraries should provide the resources to meet the ordinary needs of all of its primary clientele, and any members of its clientele should be eligible for interlibrary loan. When libraries adhere to the Model Interlibrary Loan Code, access to information is protected.

Library administrative policies should examine all restriction to resources or services associated with age, as all are violations of Article 5 of the Library Bill of Rights and the statement on restricted access to library materials. For example, privileges
associated with library cards should be consistent for all library users, no matter what the age. Library policies in which certain patrons, usually minors are denied library privileges available to other library patrons are not endorsed by the American Library Association, as they violate Article 5 of the Library Bill of Rights, as well as the statement on Free Access to Libraries for Minors. It is parents and only parents who may restrict their children--and only their children--from access to library materials and services. Reference service policies and procedures, such as library policies limiting the time spent on answering telephone reference questions, should provide for equitable basis, regardless of age or type of question. These policies must apply to both adult and child patrons. Policies governing the use of meeting rooms and exhibits should be examined to ensure that minors are not excluded form a program of interest to them based on age. Meeting rooms and exhibit spaces should also be available on an "equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use," and should not be denied to anyone based solely on age.

Policies should reflect that a person's right to attend a library-initiated program "should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views," as stated in Library Initiated Programs as a Resource, an interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights.

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