Intellectual Freedom Statement
The Richland Public Library Board hereby adopts the Washington Library
Association position on the Freedom to Read as policy for the Richland Public
Library. Likewise, the Library Board has accepted the American Library
Association position on Intellectual Freedom as policy for the Richland Public
Library.
The Washington Library Association supports the principle of free, open, and
unrestricted access to information and ideas regardless of the medium in which
they exist.
A democracy can only succeed if citizens have access to the information
necessary to form opinions and make decisions on issues affecting their lives.
Libraries play a key role in providing access to this information.
The Association regards this access as a right of all citizens. Therefore, the
Association believes that libraries have a responsibility to provide access to a
wide range of perspectives and viewpoints.
The Association believes that parents and legal guardians have the
responsibility to guide their own children in the exercise of their rights of
access.
The association recognizes privacy and confidentiality as essential components
of intellectual freedom.
The Association supports local community involvement in developing policies that
uphold the United States and Washington State constitutional guarantees of free
speech and intellectual freedom.
The Washington Library Association endorsed the American Library Association’s
Code of Ethics, Freedom to Read Statement, and Library Bill of Rights and its
interpretations.
Therefore, the Washington Library Association opposes censorship and
restrictions on access to the full range of constitutionally protected
materials.
Adopted: July 5, 2001 Richland Public Library Board of Trustees
Updated September 29, 2004
