Legal and Ethical Issues in School Libraries

Catalog description

Candidates explore four legal issues that school librarians face, together with corresponding ethical dilemmas: 1) copyright and fair use; 2) minors’ privacy in the school library; 3) intellectual freedom including the First Amendment, filtering, self-censorship, and challenges to library and classroom resources; and 4) barriers to equitable access to library resources and services. Candidates will review relevant legal requirements; consider ethical implications in school library situations; seek guidance in the professions’ core principles and policy statements; query experts and practicing school librarians regarding ethical issues through blogging, virtual meetings, and other social media tools; and determine best practices for today’s dynamic educational environment.