RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF OKLAHOMA LIBRARIES

Whereas, the Oklahoma Library Association supports the essence of democracy that citizens have the right of free inquiry and the equally-important right of forming their own opinions, and it is of the utmost importance that free access for individuals to all types of information be preserved and defended, and

Whereas, the Oklahoma Library Association supports open access to library materials, and

Whereas, the Oklahoma Library Association affirms the responsibility and right of all parents and guardians to guide their own children's use of library resources, and

Whereas, the Oklahoma Library Association supports the principle that Oklahoma libraries are an American value that supports our shared belief that empowerment of the individual results in a stronger, richer society, and

Whereas, the Oklahoma Library Association supports the decisions of local library boards to set their own access policies to library materials.

Whereas, these locally appointed library boards are composed of dedicated citizens in Oklahoma who will continue to do an excellent job for their communities, and

Whereas, the Oklahoma Library Association affirms the right of individuals to express their opinions about library resources and services, now therefore

Be it Resolved that the Oklahoma Library Association supports Oklahoma libraries and Oklahoma librarians who provide opportunities for citizens of all ages and backgrounds to become informed, literate, and culturally enriched.


Adopted by the Oklahoma Library Association Executive Board on Tuesday, May 25, 1999.

Reaffirmed by the Executive Board on Friday, March 17, 2006.

Printable version of the Resolution (PDF)
 

Printable version of the Resolution (PDF)

The Oklahoma Library Association passed a resolution supporting the ALA "Resolution on the USA PATRIOT Act and Related Measures That Infringe on the Rights of Library Users" at its annual membership meeting on March 28, 2003.

Resolution on the USA Patriot Act and Related Measures
That Infringe on the Rights of Library Users

WHEREAS, The American Library Association affirms the responsibility of the leaders of the United States to protect and preserve the freedoms that are the foundation of our democracy; and

WHEREAS, Libraries are a critical force for promoting the free flow and unimpeded distribution of knowledge and information for individuals, institutions, and communities; and

WHEREAS, The American Library Association holds that suppression of ideas undermines a democratic society; and

WHEREAS, Privacy is essential to the exercise of free speech, free thought, and free association; and, in a library, the subject of users' interests should not be examined or scrutinized by others; and

WHEREAS, Certain provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act, the revised Attorney General Guidelines to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other related measures expand the authority of the federal government to investigate citizens and non-citizens, to engage in surveillance, and to threaten civil rights and liberties guaranteed under the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights; and

WHEREAS, The USA PATRIOT Act and other recently enacted laws, regulations, and guidelines increase the likelihood that the activities of library users, including their use of computers to browse the Web or access e-mail, may be under government surveillance without their knowledge or consent; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the American Library Association opposes any use of governmental power to suppress the free and open exchange of knowledge and information or to intimidate individuals exercising free inquiry; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the American Library Association encourages all librarians, library administrators, library governing bodies, and library advocates to educate their users, staff, and communities about the process for compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act and other related measures and about the dangers to individual privacy and the confidentiality of library records resulting from those measures; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the American Library Association urges librarians everywhere to defend and support user privacy and free and open access to knowledge and information; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the American Library Association will work with other organizations, as appropriate, to protect the rights of inquiry and free expression; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the American Library Association will take actions as appropriate to obtain and publicize information about the surveillance of libraries and library users by law enforcement agencies and to assess the impact on library users and their communities; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the American Library Association urges all libraries to adopt and implement patron privacy and record retention policies that affirm that "the collection of personally identifiable information should only be a matter of routine or policy when necessary for the fulfillment of the mission of the library" (ALA Privacy: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights); and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the American Library Association considers sections of the USA PATRIOT Act are a present danger to the constitutional rights and privacy rights of library users and urges the United States Congress to: provide active oversight of the implementation of the USA PATRIOT Act and other related measures, and the revised Attorney General Guidelines to the Federal Bureau of Investigation; hold hearings to determine the extent of the surveillance on library users and their communities; and
amend or change the sections of these laws and the guidelines that threaten or abridge the rights of inquiry and free expression; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That this resolution be forwarded to the President of the United States, to the Attorney General of the United States, to Members of both Houses of Congress, to the library community, and to others as appropriate.

Initiated by: Committee on Legislation
Cosponsored by: Committee on Legislation and Intellectual Freedom Committee
Endorsed by: OITP Advisory Committee, LITA
Endorsed in principle by: ACRL, ALTA Executive Board, ALSC, ASCLA, AASL Legislation Committee, Intellectual Freedom Round Table
Prior History: CD#19.1 January 2002, CD#20.5 January 2002, CD#20.3 January 2002
Adopted by the ALA Council, January 29, 2003

Printable version of the Resolution (PDF)