The Libraries are committed to protecting and advancing intellectual freedom, as an important set of rights. Intellectual freedom includes the right to access the widest diversity of views and expressions, including those that are unorthodox, unpopular, or considered dangerous. When intellectual freedom exists, these views and expressions are accessible without the necessity of endorsement by other individuals, groups or institutions, and without the imposition of political, moral, or aesthetic views of another individual, group or institution. Intellectual freedom includes the right to free expression, where an individual or group may fully engage in the quality and diversity of thought and expression, and develop their own views and expressions without being coerced and/or inhibited. The right to privacy is essential for intellectual freedom.
