In January 2009, the American Library Association (ALA) completed a ten-year reexamination of the core competences needed by professional librarians graduating from ALA-accredited institutions. The ALA's "Core Competences of Librarianship" encompass the basic knowledge expected of all graduates in all specializations. The core beliefs and policies…

Updated for the first time since 2005, this indispensable volume includes revised interpretations of the Library Bill of Rights along with key intellectual freedom guidelines and policies, including: (1) A new chapter, "Interactivity and the Internet," and other fresh material on intellectual freedom and privacy in online social…

Librarians face a dilemma when it comes to copyright. On the one hand, if content providers disappeared, libraries and their patrons would suffer. By doing their part to eliminate copyright violations, they help keep publishers in business. On the other hand, they understand that "information wants to be free." They resent license agreements that…

This manual advises library administrators in the state of New York on the responsibilities of individual institutions regarding censorship, patron confidentiality, and other intellectual freedom issues. Besides listing organizations available for consultation, the manual recommends procedures and policies for dealing with law enforcement…