Are you passionate about the First Amendment?  Do you get mad - or energized - when you hear about censorship challenges in schools and libraries?  Do you believe in equal access to information for all?  Are you concerned about the chilling effect of surveillance on free expression?  Of filtering on access to information?  Do you think digital privacy is an oxymoron?  Are you ready to take a stand on net neutrality?  Are you looking for a great new personal and professional development opportunity?  Do you want to help your fellow librarians?

If you answered “Yes!’ to any of these questions, your MLA Intellectual Freedom Committee wants to meet you. 

 The MLA-IFC helps Montana libraries in many ways:

• Tracking and keeping everyone informed about First Amendment and related issues around the state and nation– including censorship, access, net neutrality, privacy, academic freedom and more.

• Training library staff, faculty, and trustees about how to uphold First Amendment principles through policies and services.

• Assisting libraries that are facing censorship challenges – providing training, resources, referral, and moral support. 

• Recognizing contributions made by intellectual-freedom-fighting librarians through the Pat Williams Intellectual Freedom Award.

• Networking and outreach among library staff and stakeholders around intellectual freedom issues.

If this sounds like your cup of tea, please consider becoming a member of the MLA Intellectual Freedom Committee.  Here’s the scoop:

• You must be an MLA member

• MLA board appointment - three year term(s)

• Member seats for school, academic, special, and public libraries, and alternates

• One annual meeting at MLA conference

• Quarterly and as-needed meetings (in person or online) throughout the year

• Participation in group activities (tracking, training, assisting, recognizing, networking) as desired

Want to learn more?  Find information about members, activities, and resources on our wiki: http://mlaif.pbworks.com