Libraries, the First Amendment, and Cyberspace

In the library, the First Amendment is always with us. Whether we are providing meeting rooms to local groups, giving patrons access to cyberspace one-half hour at a time, or lending learning materials to children, the First Amendment is a vital part of why libraries even exist. However, it is the same Amendment that proves troublesome when it comes to providing all types of information to a diverse clientele: one person’s idea of literature is another person’s view of obscenity. When lines are drawn between censorship and access, librarians need to know how the First Amendment affects their role, the library’s services, and access. This volume answers the questions librarians most often have about the First Amendment and library services, and includes topics on which librarians must understand their rights and responsibilities.