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Intellectual Freedom is a human right. Article 19 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: - Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Intellectual freedom is promoted by several professions and movements. These include, among others, librarianship, education and the Free Software Movement. A modern-style library in Chambéry A library is a collection of information resources and services, organized for use, and maintained by a public body, institution, or private individual. ...
The free software movement began in 1983 when Richard Stallman announced the GNU project. ...
Librarianship and Intellectual Freedom The profession of librarianship views intellectual freedom as a core responsibility. The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions' Statement on Libraries and Intellectual Freedom "calls upon libraries and library staff to adhere to the principles of intellectual freedom, uninhibited access to information and freedom of expression and to recognize the privacy of library user." IFLA urges its members to actively promote the acceptance and realization of intellectual freedom principles. IFLA states: "The right to know is a requirement for freedom of thought and conscience; freedom of thought and freedom of expression are necessary conditions for freedom of access to information."[1]
Individual national library associations expand upon these principles when defining intellectual freedom for their constituents. For example, the American Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Q & A defines intellectual freedom as: "...[T]he right of every individual to both seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction. It provides for free access to all expressions of ideas through which any and all sides of a question, cause or movement may be explored. Intellectual freedom encompasses the freedom to hold, receive and disseminate ideas."[2] ALA Logo The American Library Association (ALA) is a group based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. ...
The Canadian Library Association's Position Statement on Intellectual Freedom states that all persons possess "the fundamental right ...to have access to all expressions of knowledge, creativity and intellectual activity, and to express their thoughts publicly."[3] The Canadian Library Association (CLA) was founded in Hamilton, Ontario in 1946, and was incorporated under the Companies Act on November 26, 1947. ...
Many other national library associations have similarly adopted statements on intellectual freedom.
External links
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- IFLA Statement on Libraries and Intellectual Freedom
- American Library Association Intellectual Freedom Q & A
- Canadian Library Association Position Statement on Intellectual Freedom
- IFLA/FAIFE Collection of Statements on Intellectual Freedom adopted by National Library Associations
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