AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
Position on Anti-Gay ballot referenda
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August 11, 1993

Mr.Duane Johnson, State Librarian
Kansas State Library
State Capitol, Third Floor
Topeka, KS 66612

Dear Duane:

At its 1993 Annual Conference in New Orleans, The American Library
Association's governing body, the Council, adopted the enclosed resolution on
"The Constitutional Protection of Library Materials, Services and Programs." 
In recent months, there have been efforts throughout the country  to curtail
and abridge, on the basis of sexuality, fundamental rights, including
essential freedom of access in libraries to materials from all points of view
for persons of all ages and backgrounds.  The American Library Association
opposes any action, be it legislative, administrative or in the form of
constitutional amendments, ordinances, ballot measures, referenda or
otherwise, intended to curtail or restrict library materials, services or
programs, or access to libraries, based upon content or sexuality.

Thank you for your serious consideration of the enclosed resolution.

Sincerely,

Peggy Sullivan
Execuative Director
American Library Association


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RESOLUTION ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTION OF LIBRARY MATERIALS, SERVICES
AND PROGRAMS

WHEREAS,
The publicly supported library is the only instution established to provide
free and equal access to information for all people of the community it
serves; and

WHEREAS,
The Library Bill of Rights and it's interpretations are the basic policies
that guide libraries in the provision of services, materials and programs in
a manner that guarantees each individual's right to access to
constitutionally protected expression; and

WHEREAS,
Throughout the United States there are attempts to seek legal action such as
legislation, ballot initiatives, and state constitutional amendments, that
would have the effect of limiting the diversity of library collections,
services or programs or restricting minors' access to specific materials,
services or programs; and

WHEREAS,
These limitations are intended to require libraries to discriminate in favor
of one set of values over all others; and

WHEREAS,
Requiring libraries to limit access to minors interferes with the rights and
responsibilities of parents to guide their own children in their use of the
library; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED,
That the American Library Association affirms that forcing libraries to
violate the principles embodied in the Library Bill of Rights and its
Interpretations seriously abridges the First Amendment rights of people of
all ages served by the affected libraries; and be it further

RESOLVED,
That The American Library Association opposes any action that would limit the
diversity of library collections, services or programs, or would restrict
minors' access to library materials, services or programs; and be it further

RESOLVED,
That the American Library Association opposes any action that forces
libraries to set policies that violate First Amendment Rights; and be it
further

RESOLVED,
That copies of this resolution be transmitted to all state chapters, state
association intellectual freedom committees and state libraries.

ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL
OF THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
June 30 1993

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August 26, 1993

Peggy Sullivan, Executive Director
American Library Association
50 East Huron
Chicago, IL 60611

Dear Peggy,

     Thank you, and thanks also to the Council, for your recent mailing of
the Council's "Resolution on the Constitutional Protection of Library
Materials, Services and Programs."
     We appreciate the articulate expression of principle which this
resolution gives to a very sensitive and complex issue.
     Even more perhaps, we appreciate the leadership which the American
Library Association gives to the articulation of the principles which protect
our intellectual freedoms.
     We will see that this information is widely distributed in Kansas.

Sincerely,

Duane Johnson
State Librarian
Kansas

c. State Library Advisory Commission
   Library Directors