Managing safe and inclusive public library services: A Practical Guide
Managing safe and inclusive public library services provides public library staff with a clear decision-making framework to deal with challenging issues in public libraries.
This Guidance is intended primarily for public librarians and staff who to make decisions around stock, public Internet access, use of space and public programming.
The guide also includes references to good practice for library services in schools and prisons, and its key principles can be applied across all library contexts.
Managing safe and inclusive public library services is produced by CILIP with funding from Arts Council England.
It replaces the earlier document Guidance on the Management of Controversial Materials in Public Libraries, originally published by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) in 2008.
Update - Welsh versions are now available to download - Diweddariad - Mae fersiynau Cymraeg nawr ar gael i'w lawrlwytho
Principles
The guide uses a core set of 11 ‘key principles’ for the whole libraries sector, which draw on CILIP’s Ethical Framework and suggests how these principles can be applied in four specific contexts:
- The development and management of library stock
- The provision of public Internet access
- The appropriate use of public spaces (including meeting and event spaces)
- The provision of publicly-accessible events and activities
Resources
The following resources support the guidance, and are designed for use in your library to communicate with your staff, colleagues, clients and senior stakeholders, to increase engagement and understanding of the framework.
You can also download all the resources in one pack here (.zip file)
Gallwch hefyd lawrlwytho'r holl adnoddau mewn un pecyn yma (.zip ffeil)
Public Poster
Download and print this poster for display in public areas of your library.
Staff Poster
Download and print this poster for display in staff areas of the your library.
Checklists
Download checklists to help you and your staff think through complex and challenging issues, covering key principles, and dealing with protest
Crisis Comms template
Download a template with a series of steps for effective crisis communications.
Statement of Commitment
Encourage governing bodies, funders and policymakers to support this Statement of Professional Commitment to Intellectual Freedom.
Slide Deck
Download a slide deck to help you and your staff make sense of the guidance and use it more effectively. Can be used to support training.
Intellectual Freedom
The right to intellectual freedom is a foundation of a strong and representative democracy, and of a society in which everyone can contribute to, participate in and benefit from the intellectual, creative and cultural life of their community.
As librarians we play a vital role in maintaining freedom of thought and expression.
Managing safe and inclusive public library services: A Practical Guide is part of CILIP's commitment to these values.
Find out more about Intellectual Freedom
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