Sample Policy Statements

Below are links to a sampling of on-line policies for various areas. We hope that these sites give you ideas that will help you create or update your own policies. Click here to return to the IF Handbook.

School Libraries/Media Centers

• Virginia Department of Education
  Contains steps and components for creating an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). Also contains links to online AUPs.
• California Department of Education
  Includes sample policies for selection, collection development, acceptable use of Internet (AUPs), and weeding.
• University Laboratory High School Library
  Links to the Collection Development policy, including a section on Reconsideration of Materials.

Academic Libraries

• CAF Academic Computing Policy Statements Archive
  Collection of technology policy statements from a variety of institutions.
• University of Denver
  Computer and Network Acceptable Use Policy. Other online policies available at this site.
• Kent State University
  World Wide Web Acceptable Use Policy.

Public Libraries

• Boulder (CO) Public Library
  Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials. Also links to other Boulder online policies.
• Hennepin County (MN) Library
  Internet Public Use Policy.
• St. Louis County (MO) Library
  Concise Internet policy statement.
• San Antonio (TX) Public Library
  Internet Acceptable Use Policy. Includes a section on use of optional filtered search engines.
• Santa Clara County (CA) Free Library
  Description of services and philosophy, with a link to the formal Internet use policy.
• State Library of Ohio
  From the Ohio State Library, a wealth of sample policy statements from Ohio public libraries. Arranged by topic.

In addition, we found the following sites particularly useful:

• Texas Library Association Intellectual Freedom Handbook
• New Hampshire Library Association Intellectual Freedom Manual
• Arizona Library Association Intellectual Freedom Manual
• Florida Library Association Intellectual Freedom Manual

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