Draft 'Freedom to Read' statement

The freedom to read is guaranteed by the Constitution and is essential to our democracy. The Conway Public Library is committed to facilitating access to constitutionally protected information, without censorship or scrutiny. In a democratic society, free and open access to information gives people the resources necessary to participate in the political process and strive towards self-improvement. Individuals must be sufficiently knowledgeable to make informed decisions. Libraries provide their users with necessary information through a wide selection of materials from varying points of view. By collecting, organizing, and disseminating human expression in all its recorded formats, libraries are our society’s most visible commitment to free speech, self-education, and self-government.

As members of a profession committed to the free and equitable access of information, librarians have a profound responsibility to give validity to the freedom to read by avoiding limits on the range and variety of inquiry and expression on which our democracy and our culture depend. We believe that free communication is essential to the preservation of a free society.