Legal and Ethical Policies
The library media program is founded on a commitment to the right of intellectual freedom. School librarians believe that the lack of access to information can be harmful to minors; therefore, we must promote and protect intellectual freedom within the school. This can be accomplished "by providing services and resources that create and sustain an atmosphere of free inquiry." The school librarian should "model openness to the ideas and the free and robust debate that are characteristic of a democratic society." Students’ right to read and seek information is guaranteed under the First Amendment; school librarians should "guard against barriers to intellectual freedom" (adapted from HCPSS Media Handbook).
Rights and Responsibilities
All students who enter the high school media center have the right to:
- Use materials free of charge.
- Access information in print, non-print, and digital formats.
- Choose materials regardless of their age or grade level.
- Pick materials that represent a variety of perspectives on subjects, including those that may be considered controversial.
- Access materials of their own choosing, without fear that outside pressure will influence their choices or that their right to privacy will be violated.
- Select materials for educational enlightenment and/or personal interest, but the borrowing of media materials is NOT mandatory.
- Defend against censorship of materials and protect users' rights to privacy.
- Provide a variety of high-quality, diverse materials that will foster intellectual, creative, and individual growth.
- Supply materials on a wide range of topics, representing differing viewpoints, to meet the varying needs and interests of students.
- Offer guidance and courteous responses to all requests.
- Create an environment that promotes and supports open access to materials, including technology, that support learning, creating, collaborating and reading.
- Model and discuss the responsible, thoughtful and ethical use of materials.
- Avoid restricting access to any library resources. This is the job of parents and guardians, not teachers.
Guideline on The Students' Right to Read
This document by the National Council of Teachers of English, last updated in 2009, is a position statement used to explain the Councils position on Student's Right to Read.
Freedom to Read Statement
This position statement was made jointly by American Library Association and the Association of American Publishers, last updated in 2004, states the the importance of the freedom of the "written word" to American values and ideals.
Library Bill of Rights
This document published by ALA is used to help define the the policies and procedures of libraries as a "forum of information and ideas"
This document by the National Council of Teachers of English, last updated in 2009, is a position statement used to explain the Councils position on Student's Right to Read.
Freedom to Read Statement
This position statement was made jointly by American Library Association and the Association of American Publishers, last updated in 2004, states the the importance of the freedom of the "written word" to American values and ideals.
Library Bill of Rights
This document published by ALA is used to help define the the policies and procedures of libraries as a "forum of information and ideas"
Ethical Use
All students are required to read, sign, and abide by the HCPSS Acceptable Use Policy
This policy outlines the acceptable use of all school technology and the privacy that students can expect.
Students should also review the RHS Academic Honor Code regarding cheating and plagiarism.
Copyright
Students and staff are expected to abide by all current copyright and fair use laws. The links below explain when it is/is not acceptable to use copyright protected work and how to follow the law.
All students are required to read, sign, and abide by the HCPSS Acceptable Use Policy
This policy outlines the acceptable use of all school technology and the privacy that students can expect.
- Technology is intended for instructional use and school related business
- It can be used for personal use as long as the use does not interfere with work, cause disruptions to the school environment, result in additional cost to the school, or violate school policies or applicable law.
- Students are responsible for their behavior on the internet and are expected to behave in a responsible, efficient, ethical, and legal matter.
- K-8 students may access teacher approved online sites only.
- 9-12 Students may have independent access to the internet with parent approval.
- The school may use a variety of technology tools to enhance instruction and educate the students about safe and effective online practices.
- All web-based collaborative applications are designed to protect student's privacy and are closely monitored by the staff
Students should also review the RHS Academic Honor Code regarding cheating and plagiarism.
Copyright
Students and staff are expected to abide by all current copyright and fair use laws. The links below explain when it is/is not acceptable to use copyright protected work and how to follow the law.
Works Cited
- ALA. Intellectual Freedom. ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom. 2012. Web. 21 Jul. 2012. <http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom>
- Fritts, Carol. School Library Media. Howard County Public Schools, 19 Oct 2010. Web. 7 Apr. 2013. < http://www2.hcpss.org/met/media/>
- Howard County Public Schools. “Library Media Handbook.” HCPSS Library Media. October 2010. Web. 7 Apr. 2013.
- "Intellectual Freedom." 11slm506highgroup. McDaniel University SLM 506, 10 Apr. 2011. Web. 7 Apr. 2013.