Intellectual Freedom and Web 2.0
How Intellectual Freedom supports Web 2.0 in the school.
Intellectual Freedom & Freedom of Expression Defined
The ALA states that “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 2014) This definition then moves us to consider what freedom of expression entails.
Freedom of expression, as stated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”
Importance of Intellectual Freedom
When librarians censor or restrict access to certain resources (either print or digital), they are violating constitutional rights of library users. It is vitally important, and in fact a core value of the American Library Association, that library professionals refrain from censoring materials as doing so creates unlawful barriers to research, education, and general information access.