Library Media Accessibility Library Media Accessibility Faculty In-ServiceFaculty In-Service

July 19, 2009July 19, 2009by Chalice Tillisby Chalice Tillis

What Is Accessibility?What Is Accessibility?

Accessible means that users can identify and use the resources

available. We’re going to find out in today’s in-service if our library is

accessible.

Types Of AccessibilityTypes Of Accessibility

There are three types of accessibilityThere are three types of accessibility

Intellectual accessIntellectual accessPhysical accessPhysical access

Organization accessOrganization access

Intellectual Access Intellectual Access

Intellectual access Intellectual access addresses a student’saddresses a student’s

right to hear, read and right to hear, read and view information; toview information; to

receive ideas, to express receive ideas, to express ideas, and toideas, and to

develop skills to receive, develop skills to receive, examine, analyze,examine, analyze,

synthesize, evaluate, synthesize, evaluate, and use information.and use information.

(The Collection Program, Bishop, (The Collection Program, Bishop, 2007)2007)

What Is Intellectual What Is Intellectual freedom?freedom?

““Intellectual freedom is the Intellectual freedom is the right of every individual to right of every individual to both seek and receive both seek and receive information from all points information from all points of view without restriction.” of view without restriction.”

It provides for free access to all It provides for free access to all expressions of ideas through expressions of ideas through which any and all sides of a which any and all sides of a question, cause or question, cause or movement may be explored.movement may be explored.

Intellectual freedom Intellectual freedom encompasses the freedom encompasses the freedom to hold, receive and to hold, receive and disseminate ideas”disseminate ideas” Intellectual Intellectual Freedom and Censorship Q &Freedom and Censorship Q &

Basic Intellectual Freedom Basic Intellectual Freedom PrincipalsPrincipals

First ammendmentFirst ammendment American Library American Library

AssociationAssociation Library Bill of RightsLibrary Bill of Rights Code of EthicsCode of Ethics Freedom to ReadFreedom to Read Freedom to ViewFreedom to View Libraries An American Libraries An American

ValueValue PrivacyPrivacy CensorshipCensorship

First AmmendmentFirst Ammendment

Congress Shall Make No LawCongress Shall Make No Law

Respecting An Establishment OfRespecting An Establishment Of

Religion, Or Prohibiting the freeReligion, Or Prohibiting the free

exercise Thereof, or Abridging theexercise Thereof, or Abridging the

freedom of speech. Or of the press,freedom of speech. Or of the press,

or the right of the people peaceably toor the right of the people peaceably to

assemble, and to petition the governmentassemble, and to petition the government

for a redress of grievances.for a redress of grievances.

American Library AssociationAmerican Library Association

The American Library Association provides leadership for the The American Library Association provides leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and informationdevelopment, promotion, and improvement of library and information

services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learningservices and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learningand ensure access to information for all. The major goals for the ALA isand ensure access to information for all. The major goals for the ALA is

that all individuals have equal access to libraries and informationthat all individuals have equal access to libraries and informationservices, equal availability of instruction in information use,services, equal availability of instruction in information use,

government information is widely and easily available, librarygovernment information is widely and easily available, librarycollections are developed, managed and preserved to provide accesscollections are developed, managed and preserved to provide access

for users to the full range of available knowledge and information,for users to the full range of available knowledge and information,library use is high, fees are not a barrier to library access and service. library use is high, fees are not a barrier to library access and service.

The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.

I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment

of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the

origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical

issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and

enlightenment.

IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgement of free

expression and free access to ideas.

V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background,

or views.

VI. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make

such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals, or

groups requesting their use.

Library Bill of Rights

Code of EthicsCode of EthicsThe following are principles of the Code of ethics that are expressed in broad statements to guide ethical The following are principles of the Code of ethics that are expressed in broad statements to guide ethical

decision making.decision making.

1. We provide the highest level of service to all library users through appropriate and usefully 1. We provide the highest level of service to all library users through appropriate and usefully organized resources; equitable service policies; equitable access; and accurate, unbiased, and organized resources; equitable service policies; equitable access; and accurate, unbiased, and courteous responses to all requests.courteous responses to all requests.

2.2. We should uphold the principals of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts We should uphold the principals of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources.to censor library resources.3.3. We should protect each library user’s right to privacy and confidentiality withWe should protect each library user’s right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed,respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.acquired or transmitted.4.4. We recognize and respect intellectual property rights.We recognize and respect intellectual property rights.5.5. We treat co-workers and other colleagues with respect, fairness and good faith and advocate We treat co-workers and other colleagues with respect, fairness and good faith and advocate

conditions of employment that safeguard the rights and welfare of all employees of our conditions of employment that safeguard the rights and welfare of all employees of our institutions.institutions.6.6. We distinguish between our personal convictions and professional duties and do not allow our We distinguish between our personal convictions and professional duties and do not allow our

personal beliefs to interfere with fair representation of the aims of our institutions or the personal beliefs to interfere with fair representation of the aims of our institutions or the provision of access to their information resources.provision of access to their information resources.

7.7. We strive for excellence in the profession by maintaining and enhancing our own knowledge and We strive for excellence in the profession by maintaining and enhancing our own knowledge and skills, by encouraging the professional development of co-workers, and by fostering the skills, by encouraging the professional development of co-workers, and by fostering the aspirations of potential members of the profession. aspirations of potential members of the profession.

Freedom To Read StatementFreedom To Read Statement

The freedom to read is guaranteed by the Constitution. Those with faith in freeThe freedom to read is guaranteed by the Constitution. Those with faith in free

people will stand firm on these constitutional guarantees of essential rights andpeople will stand firm on these constitutional guarantees of essential rights and

will exercise the responsibilities that accompany these rights. will exercise the responsibilities that accompany these rights.

Responsibilities and rights of Freedom To ReadResponsibilities and rights of Freedom To Read It is the public interest for publishers and librarians to make available the It is the public interest for publishers and librarians to make available the

widest diversity of views and expressions, including those that are unorthodox, widest diversity of views and expressions, including those that are unorthodox, unpopular, or considered dangerous by the majority.unpopular, or considered dangerous by the majority.

Publishers, librarians, and booksellers do not need to endorse every idea or Publishers, librarians, and booksellers do not need to endorse every idea or presentation they make available. It would conflict with the public interest for presentation they make available. It would conflict with the public interest for them to establish their own political, moral, or aesthetic views as a standard for them to establish their own political, moral, or aesthetic views as a standard for determining what should be published or circulated. determining what should be published or circulated.

Freedom To Read cont’d

•There is no place in our society for efforts to coerce the taste of others, to confine adults to the reading matter deemed suitable for adolescents, or to inhibit the efforts of writers to achieve artistic expression.•It is not in the public interest to force a reader to accept the prejudgment of a label characterizing any expression or its author as subversive or dangerous.•It is the responsibility of publishers and librarians, as guardians of the people’s freedom to read, to contest encroachments upon that freedom by individuals or groups seeking to impose their own standards or tastes upon the community at large; and by the government whenever it seeks to reduce or deny public access to public information.•It is the responsibility of publishers and librarians to give full meaning to the freedom to read by providing books that enrich the quality and diversity of thought and expression.•By the exercise of the affirmative responsibility, they can demonstrate that the answer to a “bad” book is a good one, the answer to a “bad” idea is a good one.

Freedom to ViewFreedom to View

The Freedom to View principles are to :The Freedom to View principles are to :

Protect the confidentiality of all individuals and institutions using film, video, Protect the confidentiality of all individuals and institutions using film, video, and other audiovisual materials.and other audiovisual materials.

Provide film, video, and other audiovisual materials which represent a Provide film, video, and other audiovisual materials which represent a diversity of views and expression. Selection of a work does not constitute or diversity of views and expression. Selection of a work does not constitute or imply agreement with or approval of the content.imply agreement with or approval of the content.

Provide a diversity of viewpoints without the constraint of labeling or Provide a diversity of viewpoints without the constraint of labeling or prejudging film, video, or other audiovisual materials on the basis of the prejudging film, video, or other audiovisual materials on the basis of the moral, religious, or political beliefs of the producer or filmmaker or on the moral, religious, or political beliefs of the producer or filmmaker or on the basis of controversial content.basis of controversial content.

Provide the broadest access to film, video, and other audiovisual materials Provide the broadest access to film, video, and other audiovisual materials because they are a means for the communication of ideas. Liberty of because they are a means for the communication of ideas. Liberty of circulation is essential to insure the constitutional guarantee of freedom of circulation is essential to insure the constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression.expression.

Content vigorously, by all lawful means, every encroachment upon the Content vigorously, by all lawful means, every encroachment upon the public’s freedom to view.public’s freedom to view.

Libraries: An American ValueLibraries: An American Value

Library media centers are the foundations of the communities they serve. Library media centers are the foundations of the communities they serve. FreeFree

access to the books, ideas, resources, and information in the library mediaaccess to the books, ideas, resources, and information in the library media

centers is crucial for education, employment, enjoyment, and self-centers is crucial for education, employment, enjoyment, and self-government.government.

Library media centers are a inheritance to each generation, offering the Library media centers are a inheritance to each generation, offering the legacylegacy

of the past and the promises of the future.of the past and the promises of the future.

Certain principles must be followed to ensure that the library media centersCertain principles must be followed to ensure that the library media centers

have the freedom to promote and protect the community.have the freedom to promote and protect the community.

Libraries: An American ValueLibraries: An American ValuePrinciplesPrinciples

We defend the constitutional rights of all individuals, including children and We defend the constitutional rights of all individuals, including children and teenagers, to use the library’s resources and services;teenagers, to use the library’s resources and services;

We value our nation’s diversity and strive to reflect that diversity by We value our nation’s diversity and strive to reflect that diversity by providing a full spectrum of resources and services to the communities we providing a full spectrum of resources and services to the communities we serve;serve;

We affirm the responsibility and the right of all parents and guardians to We affirm the responsibility and the right of all parents and guardians to guide their own children’s use of the library and its resources and services;guide their own children’s use of the library and its resources and services;

We connect people and ideas by helping each person select from and We connect people and ideas by helping each person select from and effectively use the library’s resources;effectively use the library’s resources;

We protect each individual’s privacy and confidentiality in the use of library We protect each individual’s privacy and confidentiality in the use of library resources and services;resources and services;

We protect the rights of individuals to express their opinions about library We protect the rights of individuals to express their opinions about library resources and services;resources and services;

We celebrate and preserve our democratic society by making available the We celebrate and preserve our democratic society by making available the widest possible range of viewpoints, opinions and ideas, so that all widest possible range of viewpoints, opinions and ideas, so that all individuals have the opportunity to become lifelong learners – informed, individuals have the opportunity to become lifelong learners – informed, literate, educated, and culturally enriched.literate, educated, and culturally enriched.

PrivacyPrivacy Circulation records and other records Circulation records and other records

identifying the names of library users are identifying the names of library users are confidential.confidential.

Patron records shall not be made available to Patron records shall not be made available to any agency of state, federal, or local any agency of state, federal, or local government except pursuant to such process, government except pursuant to such process, order or subpoena as may be authorized under order or subpoena as may be authorized under the authority of, and pursuant to, federal, state, the authority of, and pursuant to, federal, state, or local law relating to civil, criminal, or or local law relating to civil, criminal, or administrative discovery procedures or administrative discovery procedures or legislative power.legislative power.

Resist the issuance of enforcement of any such Resist the issuance of enforcement of any such process, order, or subpoena until such time as process, order, or subpoena until such time as a proper showing of good cause has been made a proper showing of good cause has been made in a court of competent.in a court of competent.

CensorshipCensorship

Censorship is the suppression of ideas and information that individuals, groups, orGovernment officials find objectionable or dangerous.

These groups try to use the power of the state to impose their view of what is Truthful and appropriate, or offensive on everyone else.

Censors pressure librarians to suppress or remove from access information they Feel is inappropriate.

Censors want to prejudge material for everyone.

CensorshipCensorship Cont’d

The United States Supreme Court has ruled that there are certain categories of speech that are not protected by the First Amendment.

•Descenity•Child pornography•Defamation•Fighting words•Speech that incites immediate or imminent lawless action.

Libraries provide Libraries provide Physical AccessPhysical Access as well as Intellectual as well as Intellectual Access. Physical Access refers to an environment that permits Access. Physical Access refers to an environment that permits the unimpeded location and retrieval of information.the unimpeded location and retrieval of information.

In order to do this In order to do this libraries shouldlibraries should::

Provide adequate media center Provide adequate media center staff;staff;

Provide materials and devices Provide materials and devices that aid patrons with disabilities;that aid patrons with disabilities;

Access to the media center during Access to the media center during and after regular school hours;and after regular school hours;

Supply a broad range of resources Supply a broad range of resources to meet students’ needs in terms to meet students’ needs in terms of learning styles, linguistic and of learning styles, linguistic and cultural diversity;cultural diversity;

Use of interlibrary loan;Use of interlibrary loan; And access to computerized And access to computerized

information networks or information networks or databases.databases.

SchedulingScheduling

Fixed Scheduling – Traditional library Fixed Scheduling – Traditional library classesclasses

Flexible Scheduling – This allows Flexible Scheduling – This allows teachers to schedule their classes teachers to schedule their classes into the library at the time of need into the library at the time of need for instructional purposes depending for instructional purposes depending on the project or thematic unit.on the project or thematic unit.

Why choose flexible scheduling?Why choose flexible scheduling?

Access to library media resources at Access to library media resources at point of needpoint of need

Collaboration between teacher and Collaboration between teacher and librarian in planning and teachinglibrarian in planning and teaching

Information skills taught as part of Information skills taught as part of overall curriculumoverall curriculum

Transfer of learningTransfer of learning Can provide services for different age Can provide services for different age

groups at the same time.groups at the same time.

Organizational AccessOrganizational Access

This kind of access involves the way information isThis kind of access involves the way information is

organized using automation systems and circulationorganized using automation systems and circulation

procedures, including the acceptable use policies andprocedures, including the acceptable use policies and

copyright issues.copyright issues.

What do you think?What do you think?

Is our media center accessible?Is our media center accessible?

What can we do to make it more What can we do to make it more accessible?accessible?

What type of scheduling would What type of scheduling would you prefer?you prefer?