ALA Choose Privacy Week

Choose Privacy Week Video from 20K Films on Vimeo.

The first ever Choose Privacy Week, May 2 – 8, is a new initiative sponsored by the American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) that invites library users into a national conversation about privacy rights in a digital age. The campaign gives libraries the tools they need to educate and engage users, and gives citizens the resources to think critically and make more informed choices about their privacy.

At the 2006 American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference, ALA Council adopted the Resolution on National Discussion on Privacy, directing the Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC) to collaborate with other ALA units to begin a national conversation about privacy as an American value. In 2008, the Open Society Institute (OSI) provided a 3-year, $350,000 seed grant for this initiative.

Privacy has long been the cornerstone of library services in America, a freedom that librarians defend every day. For over 50 years, the ALA has defended the rights of library users to read, learn and be curious, because the freedom to read and receive ideas anonymously is at the heart of individual liberty in a democracy.

The event will also highlight key resources to aid libraries participating in the first-ever Choose Privacy Week, which will take place May 2-8, 2010. This civic engagement campaign invites library users into a national conversation about privacy rights in a digital age. Those attending the Saturday event at Midwinter will learn about new tools for libraries that will help to educate and engage their users, and encourage citizens to think critically and make more informed choices about their privacy. An exclusive discount and limited giveaway items will be provided at the event. Don’t miss it!

Those unable to attend can follow the event at http://twitter.com/privacyala. For more information on this event or on ALA’s privacy initiative, visit www.privacyrevolution.org or contact Angela Maycock, Assistant Director, Office for Intellectual Freedom, at amaycock@ala.org.