ACRL Statement on Academic Freedom | Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) Skip to main content A Division of the American Library Association ALA User Menu My Account ALA Contact ACRL Give ACRL Join ACRL Renew Login Toggle navigation !Left Navigation: ACRL My Account ALA Contact ACRL Give ACRL Join ACRL Renew Login About ACRL Give to ACRL Annual Reports Bylaws Directory of Leadership Elections History Staff List ACRL Strategic Planning Advocacy & Issues ACRL Speaks Out Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Information Literacy & Student Learning Legislation & Policy Liaison Activities Marketing The Academic Library The Role of the Community College Library in the Academy Scholarly Communication Value of Academic Research Libraries White Papers & Reports Awards & Scholarships Conferences & eLearning Guidelines, Standards, and Frameworks Alphabetical List Listing by Topic Policies and Procedures for Standards, Guidelines, and Frameworks Member Center Join ACRL Benefits Career Advancement Get Involved Volunteer Student Member Resources International Member Resources Member of the Week Working with ACRL Professional Tools Pandemic Resources for Academic Libraries Academic Library Building Design Communication and Idea Sharing Consulting Services Index to Section Created Resources JobList Personnel - New Position Descriptions Project Outcome Recruiting to the Profession TechConnect Toolkits Publications & Statistics Books and Digital Resources Journals and Magazines Statistics, White Papers, and More × Breadcrumb navigation ACRL Sites Feedback ALA > ACRL > Guidelines, Standards, and Frameworks > ACRL Statement on Academic Freedom Guidelines, Standards, and Frameworks Alphabetical List Listing by Topic Access Joint Statement on Access to Research Materials in Archives and Special Collections Libraries Policy Statement on Open Access to Scholarship by Academic Librarians Education, Personnel, and Academic Status ACRL Guidelines for Academic Librarians Without Faculty Status ACRL Standards for Faculty Status for Academic Librarians ACRL Statement on Academic Freedom Diversity Standards: Cultural Competency for Academic Libraries Guideline for the Appointment, Promotion and Tenure of Academic Librarians Guideline on Collective Bargaining Guidelines for Recruiting Academic Librarians Joint Statement on Faculty Status of College and University Librarians Statement on the Certification & Licensing of Academic Librarians Statement on the Terminal Professional Degree for Academic Librarians Information Literacy and Instruction Characteristics of Programs of Information Literacy that Illustrate Best Practices: A Guideline Annotations Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education Appendices Guidelines for Instruction Programs in Academic Libraries Guidelines for Primary Source Literacy Information Literacy Competency Standards for Journalism Students and Professionals Information Literacy Competency Standards for Nursing Information Literacy Standards for Anthropology and Sociology Students Information Literacy Standards for Science and Engineering/Technology Information Literacy Standards for Teacher Education Objectives for Information Literacy Instruction: A Model Statement for Academic Librarians Political Science Research Competency Guidelines Psychology Information Literacy Standards Research Competency Guidelines for Literatures in English Roles and Strengths of Teaching Librarians Visual Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education Libraries in Higher Education Guidelines for University Library Services to Undergraduate Students Standards for Libraries in Higher Education Rare Books, Manuscripts, Special Collections, and Archives ACRL/RBMS Guidelines For Interlibrary And Exhibition Loan Of Special Collections Materials Guidelines Regarding Security and Theft in Special Collections Guidelines on the Selection and Transfer of Materials from General Collections to Special Collections Guidelines: Competencies for Special Collections Professionals Standardized Statistical Measures and Metrics for Public Services in Archival Repositories and Special Collections Libraries Special Topics ACRL Proficiencies for Assessment Librarians and Coordinators Guidelines for Curriculum Materials Centers Guidelines for Media Resources in Academic Libraries Standards for Distance Learning Library Services Policies and Procedures for Standards, Guidelines, and Frameworks ACRL Statement on Academic Freedom Email Print Cite Share This Page Approved by the ACRL Board of Directors during the ALA Annual Conference, June 2015 Librarians have a long history and practice of defending the free expression of ideas. The “Code of Ethics of American Library Association” (2008) states that “we are members of a profession explicitly committed to intellectual freedom and the freedom of access to information.” In the context of higher education, intellectual freedom is closely associated with academic freedom. The “Association of College and Research Libraries Joint Statement on Faculty Status of College and University Librarians” (2012) states that “[c]ollege and university librarians share the professional concerns of faculty members. Academic freedom is indispensable to librarians in their roles as teachers and researchers.” The Association of College and Research Libraries, in accordance with our professional standards and stated commitments, opposes any actions that limit the free expression of ideas of librarians and faculty on campus, in the classroom, in writing, and in the public sphere, especially in the context of higher education and its traditional support for academic freedom.  Further, the Association of College and Research Libraries opposes retaliation for the expression of those ideas.  A free and vigorous exchange of ideas is integral to sustaining an environment in which teaching, learning, and research may thrive.   Other relevant documents: AAUP 1940 Statement on Academic Freedom and Tenure Endorsed by ALA 1946 | Reaffirmed by ALA 2006 | Endorsed by ACRL 2007 Intellectual Freedom Principles for Academic Libraries – An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights Passed by ALA Council 2000 | Endorsed by AAUP 2000 Footer navigation Committees Sections Interest Groups Discussion Groups Staff Copyright Statement Privacy Policy User Guidelines Site Index Feedback Work at ALA © 1996–2020 American Library Association ALA American Library Association 225 N Michigan Ave, Suite 1300 Chicago, IL 60601 | 1.800.545.2433