Intellectual Freedom Statement

Portland Community College Library upholds the principle of intellectual freedom for all library users. Library services and policies are in accordance with the Library Bill of Rights of the American Library Association, which affirms the following statements:

• Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
• Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be prescribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
• Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
• Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
• A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
• Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

Portland Community College Library also endorses the following statements from the American Library Association, which further explain the core principles supported by libraries:

• Intellectual Freedom Principles for Academic Libraries: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights
• Privacy: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights
• Diverse Collections: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights

As an academic library, Portland Community College Library strives to include a diverse range of physical and electronic resources to serve the varied needs and interests of the students, employees and community members who use the library. The materials in the library collection are selected and deselected based on the guidelines in the Collection Development Statement.

In the event of a concern about PCC library resources, library staff will take the following steps:

• Library staff recognize the right of library users to raise concerns about resources in the library collection. A library staff member will listen to the concern respectfully.
• A library staff member will provide an explanation of the library policy, or may introduce the patron to a reference librarian, subject librarian liaison, or library administrator.
• If after discussing the policy no resolution has been reached, the staff member may invite the patron to submit a Request for Reconsideration of Library Resources form. The form or message will be sent to the Library Dean or designated Responsible Officer.
• The Library Dean or designated Responsible Officer may invite the patron for a meeting to discuss the concern. After this discussion, the Library Dean or designated Responsible Officer will make a final decision regarding the material in question and will provide a written response within 15 business days.

Request for Reconsideration of Library Resources