Policies, Procedures, Resources,
and Tutorials for Libraries

I know that not all of you are fortunate enough to have a comprehensive law library available to you. I also realize that many of you do not have access to the online pay databases such as Lexis and Westlaw. However, do not despair; there are plenty of resources out there for you on the free Web. The following Websites contain tutorials, policies, and links that are helpful to librarians, publishers, and booksellers. These are the places that should be consulted first when creating a policy or attempting to deal with library-related legal issues.

The materials on these Websites are merely a starting place. For more information on how to deal with legal issues, please see my book entitled The Law of Libraries and Archives.

Some of the Websites presented in this section were created by universities or government agencies. Other sites come from professional associations or other organizations. The Websites are presented in alphabetical order.

• The Copyright Office report on the first sale doctrine and archival copying of computer programs.
• The library community statement on the proposed anti-terrorism measures.
• The library community statement on freedom of speech and access to information.
• Mission and policy documents, formal letters and comments, testimony, legislative updates and reports, and action alerts.

• Access to Resources and Services in the School Library Media Program: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights.
• Access to Electronic Information, Services, and Networks: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights.
• Challenged Materials: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights.
• Materials on the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and filtering.
• Strategies and tips for dealing with challenges to school library materials.
• A workbook explaining how to write writing collection development policies for school library media centers.

The site also includes a bibliography of print resources that are helpful in dealing with intellectual freedom issues.

• The Intellectual Freedom Manual.
• Freedom to Read Statement.
• The 100 most frequently challenged books of the year.
• What to do if a book is challenged in your library.
• Internet Use Policies, statements and papers opposing filtering, and resolutions of state library associations.
• Court decisions relating to Internet filtering.
• A memorandum on Internet filtering in public libraries from the law firm of Jenner & Block
  Library Bill of Rights, along with several interpretations.
• Guidelines for the development of policies and procedures regarding user behavior and library use.
• The ALA’s Code of Ethics for librarians.
• News stories about censorship, the Internet, and filtering.

The Office of Intellectual Freedom also has information about the Freedom of Information Act and about open-records laws, as well as sample policies, court decisions, and other materials on the privacy and confidentiality of library records. I find the sample policies to be especially helpful, since a well-written policy will take care of most situations and help avoid litigation.

• Anticircumvention.
• Database protection.
• Distance education.
• Copyright and the first sale doctrine.
• Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act (UCITA).
• Information on E-Government and electronic government initiatives.
• Telecommunications policy, including advanced services and broadband.
• Intellectual freedom issues, including Internet filtering.

ACRL Guidelines and Standards
http://www.ala.org/acrl/guides/index.html
This Website contains model guidelines and standards for academic libraries. Some of the documents include:

• Materials on academic and faculty status for librarians.
• Model Statement for the Screening & Appointment of Academic Librarians Using a Search Committee.
• Model Statement of Criteria and Procedures for Appointment, Promotion in Academic Rank, and Tenure for College and University Librarians.
• Guideline on Collective Bargaining.
• Statement on the Terminal Professional Degree for Academic Librarians.
• Statement on the Certification & Licensing of Academic Librarians.
• Guidelines on theft and security.
• Standards for ethical conduct.
• Guidelines for policies on access to library materials, services, and facilities.

• The MLA’s statement on copyright law and fair use in music.
• Guidelines on library reserves and the digital transmission of electronic reserves.
• Guidelines for educational use of music.
• Fair use guidelines for educational multimedia.
• Book and article copying guidelines for classrooms in not-for-profit educational institutions.
• Guidelines for recording broadcast programs off the air for educational purposes.
• A copy of the ALA’s model policy concerning college and university photocopying for classroom, research, and library use.
• The ALA’s proposed guidelines on “Fair Use in the Electronic Age.”

• Telecommunications (both universal service and communications decency).
• Access to government information.
• Intellectual property and copyright.
• The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
• Database issues and licensing of electronic resources.
• Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act (UCITA).