Intellectual Freedom It is the goal of the Lancer Library to encourage students to read and to seek and evaluate information and materials on their own, without restricting or censoring information. We make every effort to do this while also upholding the school's mission and honoring the wishes of parents. We support the American Library Association Library Bill of Rights, as well as supporting the School Library Media interpretation:, which states:"School librarians assume a leadership role in promoting the principles
of intellectual freedom within the school by providing resources and
services that create and sustain an atmosphere of free inquiry. School
librarians work closely with teachers to integrate instructional
activities in classroom units designed to equip students to locate,
evaluate, and use a broad range of ideas effectively. Intellectual
freedom is fostered by educating students in the use of critical
thinking skills to empower them to pursue free inquiry responsibly and
independently. Through resources, programming, and educational
processes, students and teachers experience the free and robust debate
characteristic of a democratic society." Internet Filtering In accordance with the Lancer Library's objectives of educating students in responsible digital citizenship, we will employ internet filtering deemed appropriate by the school's technology department and The Children's Internet Protection Act. We strive to create responsible users of digital technology, internet sources, and social media while protecting our students from pornographic or inappropriate material online. All students will be educated in how to evaluate digital sources and what to do when encountering a questionable website or source. Student Ethical Behavior Expectations All Lancers are expected to exhibit good digital citizenship, both in the Lancer Library and beyond. We strive to produce ethical consumers of social media and digital sources by educating students in proper behavior. Behaviors not tolerated include, but are not limited to: plagiarism of copyrighted material, failure to cite sources, cyberbullying, engaging in hate speech, publishing derogatory messages about peers, teachers, the school, or the Archdiocese, downloading unapproved material to school devices, using a proxy to visit blocked websites, or engaging in any illegal online activity while using school devices or internet service. Students are held accountable under the school's discipline policy. You can find more information on our school's Acceptable Use Policy and our Technology Department here. The Lancer Library takes challenges of material seriously. If a challenge is made, we will follow the policies set forth by the American Library Association's request for reconsideration of library materials. We ask that the person requesting reconsideration read the entire work being challenged and submit the form before meeting with the librarian to discuss the issue. We make every effort to ensure all texts in our collection adhere to our selection policy, which upholds our school mission. Plagiarism, Copyright, and Fair Use The Lancer Library works to support the school's Academic Honesty Policy and thus will provide educational opportunities to students about plagiarism and copyright, using the Teaching Copyright curriculum. American Library Association. Access to Resources and Services in the School Library Media Program. (2014, July 1). Retrieved March 20, 2015, from http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedo /librarybill/interpretations/accessresources American Library Association. Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA). (2001, April 20). Retrieved March 20, 2015, from http://www.ala.org/advocacy/advleg/federallegislation/cipa American Library Association. Copyright Tools. (2015, January 1). Retrieved March 20, 2015, from http://www.ala.org/advocacy/copyright-tools American Library Association. Sample Request for Reconsideration of Library Resources. (1995, June 27). Retrieved March 20, 2015, from http://www.ala.org/bbooks/challengedmaterials/support/samplereconsideration Baltimore Lab School. (2015, January 1). Retrieved March 31, 2015, from http://www.baltimorelabschool.org/podium/default.aspx?t=143823 Teaching Copyright. (n.d.). Retrieved March 9, 2015, from http://www.teachingcopyright.org/curriculum/hs |
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