Within our collections and spaces, OSU Libraries & Press (OSULP) adheres to the principles of intellectual freedom - the right of library users to read, seek information, and speak freely as guaranteed by the First Amendment. Intellectual freedom is essential to the mission of OSU Libraries, corresponding with the university’s mission to serve the public good through teaching, research, and engagement. Just as academic freedom protects scholars’ ability to research, teach, and speak freely, intellectual freedom protects the ability of all library users to seek and use information without interference.  

 

  • Oregon State University fosters an inclusive environment where everyone regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, veteran status, ancestry, national or ethnic origin, or citizenship status has an equal opportunity to succeed, learn, explore, and engage in dialogue.

  • OSULP holds a unique role in providing open access to information for the university. We use our professional expertise and values to curate collections and displays that serve the informational, curricular, and research needs of the entire OSU community.

  • We respect the privacy of our users by safeguarding their personal information and reading habits. We adhere to strict confidentiality standards, ensuring that users can freely explore ideas without fear of surveillance or judgment.

  • Due to the topically broad nature of academic research and learning, it is essential that library collections contain materials representing a variety of perspectives on subjects that may be considered controversial. (ALA intellectual freedom for academic libraries.) The presence of a resource, service, or display does not necessarily mean that the ideas found therein are endorsed by OSULP.

  • OSULP does not censor or otherwise prohibit access to the full breadth of library materials; however, acts of hate speech are incompatible with the inclusive environment we seek to foster in our libraries. Therefore, acts of hate speech will not be protected by OSULP under Intellectual Freedom principles. 

 

Challenges to this policy shall be made to the Dean of Libraries or their designee. Requests from law enforcement and requests for information made via the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) shall be immediately directed to the Dean of Libraries and the OSU Office of General Counsel.

 

Related OSULP policies and documentation: 

Collection Values Framework

Privacy Policy

SCARC Statement on Anti-Racist Description

 

For further reference:

American Library Association Library Bill of Rights

ALA intellectual freedom for academic libraries.

ACRL AAUP Joint Statement on Faculty Status

Oregon Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee

International Federation of Library Associations Statement on Libraries and Intellectual Freedom

 

Approved by LAMP 11/21/23

OSUL: 
Borrowing Policies