Intellectual Freedom

"Intellectual freedom is a core value of the library profession, and a basic right in our democratic society. A publicly supported library provides free, equitable, and confidential access to information for all people of its community."  American Library Association Commitment to Intellectual Freedom

Intellectual freedom is a concept enshrined in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

This guide has separate pages of resources on freedom of speech, academic freedom, censorship, privacy and confidentiality in libraries and legal resources. It was originally created in support of Defense of Free Speech Week, February 10-14, 2025, at UMass Amherst. This celebration is co-sponsored by the Sociology, Anthropology, Economics and Political Science departments, as well as the Massachusetts Society of Professors and the University Libraries. Join us for a reception on Tuesday, February 11th, in the Cape Cod Lounge from 3:00-4:30 p.m.