Acceptable use policy (AUP) & information ethics
aup.pdf | |
File Size: | 44 kb |
File Type: |
Acceptable Use Policy
Our school’s AUP can be accessed in the link above. It includes a form listing the ethical expectations of students with regards to technology use at our school. This policy is distributed at school registration and again at the beginning of each school year and must be returned with appropriate signatures.
Information Ethics
Since 1939, The American Library Association has recognized the importance of codifying and making known the ethical principles that guide librarians. This Code of Ethics has evolved into a statement of eight principles that embody librarians' ethical responsibilities.
Your school librarian is committed to:
What Is Intellectual Freedom?
Intellectual freedom is the right of every individual to both seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction. It provides for free access to all expressions of ideas through which any and all sides of a question, cause or movement may be explored.
~ALA Intellectual Freedom and Censorship Q & A
Why is intellectual freedom important in a school library program?
Intellectual freedom is a core value of the library profession and Article V of the Library Bill of Rights affirms special protections to minors using libraries. It states: “A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.” A school library has the unique responsibility of introducing young citizens to the world of information in all it’s various forms. Students have the right to a relevant and diverse school library collection that represents all points of view. The school librarian is charged with protecting minors’ First Amendment right to read and receive information and ideas while also upholding policies in place for their protection such as Internet filtering, which is required in accordance with our school district’s Technology Plan and the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). We intend to block only certain social media sites, obscenity, and visual depictions that may be considered harmful to minors. In light of this, our library strives to provide inclusive access to information for education-related purposes in line with our mission statement.
How are the issues of copyright and plagiarism addressed?
As a leader for our school and community regarding these information topics, it is incumbent on the school librarian to educate staff and students on acceptable use of intellectual property which includes the issues of fair use, copyright, and plagiarism. Student learning takes place in library lessons and through collaborative planning with teachers. Teachers’ rights are clarified and reinforced through professional development and collaborative planning. Guidance for our community of patrons is addressed with clear visual aids posted in our library and at least once a year in PTO newsletters.
The following are key librarian resources whenever there is doubt about using copyrighted materials:
http://librarycopyright.net/resources/fairuse/
http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ21.pdf
http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/
The following comprise resources for teaching these important issues:
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY:
http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/
COPYRIGHT & FAIR USE:
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/copyrightmystery/
http://www.pbssocal.org/education/teachers/copyright/
http://www.teachingcopyright.org/
http://www.copyrightkids.org/
http://www.cyberbee.com/cb_copyright.swf
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/video/educators
http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/07/a-must-see-graphic-on-creative-commons.html
http://creativecommons.org/about
PLAGIARISM:
http://kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/school/plagiarism.html
http://www.brainpop.com/english/writing/plagiarism/preview.weml
http://www2.lib.unc.edu/instruct/plagiarism/
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson322.shtml
http://library.unc.edu/citationbuilder/
http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/07/a-must-see-graphic-on-creative-commons.html
What does it mean to challenge school or library materials?
A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others. ~www.ala.org/bbooks/challengedmaterials
Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment. ~Article 3, Library Bill of Rights
How are such challenges addressed?
Your librarian is committed to transparency in both the selection process and reconsideration process of library and school information resources. Should a challenge arise, we follow a deliberate process for reconsideration. An information resource is not removed from our collection until every step in this process is completed. Parents can request only that their child be denied access to resources up for reconsideration.
Our school’s AUP can be accessed in the link above. It includes a form listing the ethical expectations of students with regards to technology use at our school. This policy is distributed at school registration and again at the beginning of each school year and must be returned with appropriate signatures.
Information Ethics
Since 1939, The American Library Association has recognized the importance of codifying and making known the ethical principles that guide librarians. This Code of Ethics has evolved into a statement of eight principles that embody librarians' ethical responsibilities.
Your school librarian is committed to:
- Provide the highest level of service possible
- Resist all efforts to censor library resources
- Respect intellectual property rights
- Treat coworkers with respect, fairness, and good faith
- Strive for excellence by maintaining personal knowledge and skills
- Distinguish between personal conviction and professional duties
- Prevent personal beliefs from interfering with access to information resources
What Is Intellectual Freedom?
Intellectual freedom is the right of every individual to both seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction. It provides for free access to all expressions of ideas through which any and all sides of a question, cause or movement may be explored.
~ALA Intellectual Freedom and Censorship Q & A
Why is intellectual freedom important in a school library program?
Intellectual freedom is a core value of the library profession and Article V of the Library Bill of Rights affirms special protections to minors using libraries. It states: “A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.” A school library has the unique responsibility of introducing young citizens to the world of information in all it’s various forms. Students have the right to a relevant and diverse school library collection that represents all points of view. The school librarian is charged with protecting minors’ First Amendment right to read and receive information and ideas while also upholding policies in place for their protection such as Internet filtering, which is required in accordance with our school district’s Technology Plan and the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). We intend to block only certain social media sites, obscenity, and visual depictions that may be considered harmful to minors. In light of this, our library strives to provide inclusive access to information for education-related purposes in line with our mission statement.
How are the issues of copyright and plagiarism addressed?
As a leader for our school and community regarding these information topics, it is incumbent on the school librarian to educate staff and students on acceptable use of intellectual property which includes the issues of fair use, copyright, and plagiarism. Student learning takes place in library lessons and through collaborative planning with teachers. Teachers’ rights are clarified and reinforced through professional development and collaborative planning. Guidance for our community of patrons is addressed with clear visual aids posted in our library and at least once a year in PTO newsletters.
The following are key librarian resources whenever there is doubt about using copyrighted materials:
http://librarycopyright.net/resources/fairuse/
http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ21.pdf
http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/
The following comprise resources for teaching these important issues:
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY:
http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/
COPYRIGHT & FAIR USE:
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/copyrightmystery/
http://www.pbssocal.org/education/teachers/copyright/
http://www.teachingcopyright.org/
http://www.copyrightkids.org/
http://www.cyberbee.com/cb_copyright.swf
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/video/educators
http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/07/a-must-see-graphic-on-creative-commons.html
http://creativecommons.org/about
PLAGIARISM:
http://kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/school/plagiarism.html
http://www.brainpop.com/english/writing/plagiarism/preview.weml
http://www2.lib.unc.edu/instruct/plagiarism/
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson322.shtml
http://library.unc.edu/citationbuilder/
http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/07/a-must-see-graphic-on-creative-commons.html
What does it mean to challenge school or library materials?
A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others. ~www.ala.org/bbooks/challengedmaterials
Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment. ~Article 3, Library Bill of Rights
How are such challenges addressed?
Your librarian is committed to transparency in both the selection process and reconsideration process of library and school information resources. Should a challenge arise, we follow a deliberate process for reconsideration. An information resource is not removed from our collection until every step in this process is completed. Parents can request only that their child be denied access to resources up for reconsideration.
- Any question or complaint about a school information resource must be forwarded to the school librarian, whether it is received by phone, mail, or face-to-face contact.
- The librarian initiates contact with the person who lodged the complaint in an effort to address the problem face-to-face. Thoroughly reviewing our AUP and our selection criteria together is typically sufficient.
- If step two is unsatisfactory, that person may send a completed “Request for Reconsideration of Educational Resource” in writing to the school within two weeks.
- A reconsideration committee comprised of the librarian, an administration representative, subject-related department head, and any other staff members deemed appropriate, will be assembled to review the written complaint within 30 days.
- The committee’s primary objective will be to make a decision about the resource in light of the school's and the district's philosophy and the material-selection criteria for the library. When the committee has reached a decision, it will prepare a report presenting both majority and minority opinions and copy the school principal. The librarian will communicate the decision to the person(s) who lodged the complaint.
- If the patron is not satisfied with the decision, they may submit a written complaint to the School Board along with the committee’s report for their review.
reconsideration_request.pdf | |
File Size: | 44 kb |
File Type: |
references
- aups.pdf. (2013). Retrieved Marcy 15, 2014 from http://www.homewood.k12.al.us/edgewood/aups.pdf
- Caldwell-Stone, D., & Perez, N. (2013, November 17). Intellectual Freedom Manual 8. Retrieved March 14, 2014 from http://www.ifmanual.org/
- Challenges to Library Materials | Banned and Challenged Books. Retrieved Marcy 15, 2014 from http://www.ala.org/bbooks/challengedmaterials
- Coatney, S. (2010). Intellectual freedom: Leadership to preserve minors' rights in school library media programs. The many faces of school library leadership (pp. 43-66). Santa Barbara, Calif.: Libraries Unlimited.
- Code of Ethics of the American Library Association | American Library Association. American Library Association. Retrieved March 14, 2014, from http://www.ala.org/advocacy/proethics/codeofethics/codeethics
- Library Bill of Rights | ALA Advocacy, Legislation and Issues. (n.d.). Retrieved March 14, 2014 from http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill
- Office for Intellectual Freedom | Offices of the American Library Association. Retrieved March 14, 2014 from http://www.ala.org/offices/oif
- Strategies and Tips for Dealing with Challenges to Library Materials | Banned and Challenged Books:. Retrieved March 15, 2014 from http://www.ala.org/bbooks/challengedmaterials/support/strategies#schoollib
- What is the ALA Code of Ethics - intellectual_freedom_brochure. (2010). Retrieved March 15, 2014 from http://www.ala.org/aasl/sites/ala.org.aasl/files/content/aaslissues/intellectual_freedom_brochure1210.pdf