Freedom to Read

The freedom to read is a right of all Americans provided by the first amendment of the United States Constitution.  This is a cornerstone concept of public libraries.  The concept means that

a. people are free to read what they want to read without restriction, and
b. people are entitled to a certain amount of confidentiality concerning what they read

It is highly recommended that you read the American Library Association's (ALA) Library Bill of Rights and Kids Know Your Rights Statement.

Additionally it is important to know that we do not pull books or other items out of the collection just because someone is offended by it.  Those people have a freedom not to read, but do not automatically have a right to limit the reading of others.

For this reason the library has a Reconsideration Policy and a Form to request that an item be removed.  If someone asks that an item be removed.

People also have the right to confidentiality about what they have read.  The library system does not save a history of patron check-outs unless a person asks that their history be saved for their own use.  The library also has a policy of not disclosing patron information without a warrant. Do not give any patron information to anyone.  If someone asks, even a police officer or other law enforcement personnel, ask that they speak to the manager of your building.