Library Policies
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Update Notice

Some policies may be pending update or approval from the Library Board. Please note the revision dates at the top of each policy. Feel free to call us at (860) 828-7125 with any questions or concerns.

 

Guiding Principles

Statements and other resources that guide Library policy.

ALA Library Bill of Rights
The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.

Interpretations of the Library Bill of Rights
Although the Articles of the Library Bill of Rights are unambiguous statements of basic principles that should govern the service of all libraries, questions do arise concerning application of these principles to specific library practices.

Libraries: An American Value
Adopted by ALA Council, this brief statement pronounces the distinguished place libraries hold in our society and their core tenets of access to materials and diversity of ideas.

Freedom to Read Statement
A collaborative statement by literary, publishing, and censorship organizations declaring the importance of our constitutionally protected right to access information and affirming the need for our professions to oppose censorship.

ALA Privacy Resources
The right to privacy – the right to read, consider, and develop ideas and beliefs free from observation or unwanted surveillance by the government or others – is the bedrock foundation for intellectual freedom.

ALA EDI Resources
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are fundamental values of the association and its members, and diversity is listed as one of ALA’s Key Action Areas.

Guidelines for Library Policies
Guidelines for librarians, governing authorities, and other library staff and library users on how constitutional principles apply to libraries in the United States.