A new document from the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.
Guidance on the Management of Controversial Material in Public Libraries has been issued today by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA). The new publication, commissioned by the Department of Culture, Media and Sports (DCMS) and Cabinet Office, provides support for public libraries in making difficult choices when managing books, information and internet content that may be deemed to be controversial.
The MLA guidelines, developed as a result of extensive consultation with library and information professionals throughout the UK, aims to provide good and consistent practice in the selection and management of library stock.
The publication addresses issues that may impact on the public library’s responsibility for the selection and provision of information by outlining current legislation on terrorism, local government, freedom of expression and human rights, race relations and equality.
Sue Wilkinson, Director of Policy at MLA commented, “Libraries are doing some great work in ensuring their collections reflect the ideas and views of their communities in a continually evolving cultural, political and social climate. In doing this, libraries will hold materials that some may find challenging and controversial. We hope this guidance will help library and information professionals deal with controversial items; support their difficult decision-making and help them respond to challenges.”
Barbara Follett, Culture Minister, said: “The democratic principles of free access and expression are the foundations upon which Britain’s public library service is built. We have to give their staff the tools to enable them to make decisions about what materials they can and should stock whilst, at the same time, promoting learning, education and cultural inspiration for all.”
Direct to Complete Document (42 pages; PDF)
Source: MLA
See Also: CILIP Endorses Document
This entry was posted
on Thursday, February 19th, 2009 and is filed under Access to Information, Censorship, Libraries and Librarianship.
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