09 - Laserfiche WebLink

Attachment 5 THE CITY OF PLEASANTON, Inclusiveness in Materials Statement Pleasanton Public Library's (Library) mission is to be a place for all members in the community to "Discover, Connect, and Share" and is guided by the Library and Recreation Department's values of integrity, inclusiveness, innovation, customer service, and collaboration. To fulfill its mission and values, the Library is dedicated to free and equal access to resources in a variety of formats to meet the cultural, informational, recreational, and educational needs of the diverse community it serves. This statement articulates the Library's position on its freedom to acquire lawful materials without content limitations, and the Library's commitment to oppose attempts to ban, remove, or otherwise restrict library patrons' free and open access to books, materials, information, and resources. In doing so, this statement reinforces the Library's commitment to a patron's individual choice. Book Challenges in Public Libraries Books have been banned throughout the history of the United States, without sustained success or benefit to its citizenry. Removing or denying access to resources based on personal bias, prejudice, or because the materials may be viewed as controversial or objectionable, is a form of censorship which is constitutionally restricted. The American Library Association's (ALA) Library Bill of Rights, a set of guiding principles originally adopted in 1939, outlines free and equitable access to information to support an enlightened citizenry. The American Library Association launched Banned Books Week in 1982 in response to a surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores, and libraries. The event highlights the value of free and open access to information and brings together community members, librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, and teachers in shared support of the freedom to seek and express ideas. Banned Books Week is celebrated each year in October to highlight these important freedoms. Despite these efforts, the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom reported that book challenges in the United States nearly doubled between 2021 and 2022, reaching the highest number of attempted book bans since ALA began compiling data about censorship in libraries more than 20 years ago. Individual Choice in Libraries The Library affirms the right for individuals to make their own decisions about their use of library materials and information. The Library is a public space established for the