The author has been thinking about the kind of freedoms embodied in the idea of the library and the plight of the book that cannot find its reader. What can librarians do to help readers and books find one another in a world where money is going toward temporary access to corporate-controlled intellectual property? How can one liberate knowledge…

Reports on the American Library Association's 2002 annual conference in Atlanta. Topics include incoming president Mitch Freedman's initiative to improve librarian salaries; author presentations; new technology, especially Amazon.com, and the library's role; ALA politics; intellectual freedom issues; salaries and recruiting; interoperability; and…

Provides excerpts from David Berninghausens's "Social Responsibility vs. the Library Bill of Rights" and responses that appeared in "Library Journal" in 1972 and 1973 because of the continuing debate over the role of the American Library Association (ALA) Social Responsibilities Round Table and whether or not ALA should take…

Views librarians as having dual roles as censor and defender against censorship in making decisions on acquisition and access to minors. The Library Bill of Rights is criticized for its ambiguity and idealistic purity. (SW)

Contends that librarians are educators, not passive instruments of information processing. As such, the better prepared and more open the educating librarian is, the greater the contribution to intellectual freedom. Minimum employment qualifications must consider and include broad skills beyond the basic library competencies. Four references are…

Includes four articles originally published in the 1890s. Highlights include a discussion of freedom of speech, political opinions, and the role of the public library in social reform; the establishment of a congressional or national library; censorship in libraries; and a criticism of a librarian by his assistant. (LRW)

Examines the issues of a lifetime of service to portray the future as an opportunity for librarians to achieve a leadership role in the information age. Freedom of information versus privacy, censorship, user needs, and technological advancement are discussed in the context of intellectual freedom. Six references are listed. (RAA)

Previews the agenda for the American Library Association's 2002 Midwinter Meeting. Topics include the incompatibility of Bush administration national security initiatives with traditional rights of intellectual freedom; budget cuts; government funding; new roles for libraries in times of crisis; Internet access and control; and librarians'…

This overview of current state legislative issues related to intellectual freedom covers attempts to impose filtering on library Internet access, new "harmful to minors" laws, community obscenity statutes, restrictions on video lending, and more. A sidebar highlights the work of a coalition to defeat a "harmful to minors" law…

Discusses community involvement in public library planning and decision making and the role library leadership must have to ensure financial feasibility and the protection of intellectual freedom. An open letter to Madonna concerning her book, "Sex," provides an example of leadership and successful public relations. (EA)

Discusses areas of confusion concerning the role of public libraries that endanger the existence of public libraries. It is argued that the future of the public library depends on its responsiveness to the needs of the people that such libraries were created to serve, and suggestions for achieving this state are offered. (CLB)

This report of the events at the American Library Association annual conference summarizes presentations and debates on several social issues as well as a manifesto addressing social and ethical problems that was presented at the conference. A list of officers and awards is provided. (CLB)