Utah Library Book Challenge Statement
We, UEA (Utah Education Association), UELMA (Utah Educational Library Media Association), ULA (Utah Library Association), ULMS (Utah Library Media Supervisors) express our strong beliefs in the First Amendment’s provision of free speech, which also includes the freedom to read and listen to other people’s perspectives. We are committed to challenging censorship in any form as protected by these rights.
Adopted in 1939 by the American Library Association, the Library Bill of Rights emphasizes
equal and equitable access for all individuals, including minors, to a diverse collection by and
about various people and cultures that “should be provided for the interest, information, and
enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves.” Our library collection must be
inclusive of and relevant to all members of each school community.
As trained and experienced school librarians and educators, we observe policies and
procedures to select resources for the library. Statewide our school districts have
reconsideration processes in place in the event that resources may be challenged. These
processes for challenged materials are a well-established framework that not only provide legal
protection for our school district, but also protect each individual child and their access to books
they may want to read.
When a book is challenged, it is entitled to due process for review, by an objective body
that assesses its merits in their entirety. By evaluating or revisiting any of these works prior to a formal challenge, we jeopardize our intellectual freedom and the procedure for protecting it, as well as subjecting ourselves to legal challenges.
The executive boards of UEA, UELMA, ULA, ULMS have voted to support this position
statement.
Statement & Information Links for Librarians