5271 Intellectual Freedom Procedure

Policy Details 

Policy Name: Intellectual Freedom  

Policy Number: 5271  

Applicable Code/Law: RCW 42.17.310(L), WAC 292-110-010  

Procedural Guidelines  

  1. Freedom to Read, View, and Access 
    The College Library will provide resources selected according to their values of interest, research, education and enlightenment of students, faculty, and staff. The library, to the best of its ability and capacity, will offer access to materials in a variety for formats that present the widest possible range of views and ideas. These materials will not be proscribed or removed from shelves or filtered from electronic information sources because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval (see ALA Bill of Rights). Otherwise, access to information is governed according to existing campus policy. (See Faculty and Staff Acceptable Use Policy for Information Technology Resources: Policy 4126; WAC 292-110-010, Use of State Resources.  

  2. Academic Freedom
    All faculty and staff must be free from intimidation or coercion. No restrictions shall be placed on Shoreline faculty and their disciplines to teach what they deem to be educationally important. Selection of course texts, learning materials, classroom environments, and teaching methods will be the sole responsibility of the faculty and their academic programs. This principle reflects the general position of the Shoreline College Federation of Teachers in its contract language regarding academic freedom, subject only to such limitations as the contract itself provides (See SCCFT Faculty Contract, Article VI).   

    Likewise, students’ rights to free expression will at all times be protected and respected in accordance with college policies and state and federal law.  As an academic community, the college will dedicate itself to the advancement of knowledge by encouraging a multiplicity of views and ideas.  

  3. Privacy Rights 
    Shoreline College pledges to guard against unwarranted invasions of privacy and to strictly adhere to all campus policies regarding privacy rights of student and college employee records, online access to information, and personal information. Regarding library patron records, privacy protection extends to community members as well. In “Intellectual Freedom Principles for Academic Libraries,” the American Library Association spells out its position clearly: “Libraries should have policies to minimize collection and retention of borrowing records and other personal use information, and to keep that information confidential.” (See College Library’s Privacy Statement and RCW 42.17.310(L).  

Bibliography 
The following sources were consulted and/or cited in this policy:  

“Academic Freedom.” Shoreline Community College Faculty Contract, Article VI.  Effective July 1,2024 through June 30, 2027  

“Credo for Free and Responsible Communication in a Democratic Society.”   Annandale, VA: Speech Communication Association, n.d.   

“Intellectual Freedom Principles for Academic Libraries.”  19 Jun 2025 .  American Library Association. Intellectual Freedom Principles for Academic Libraries: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights | ALA  

“Library Bill of Rights.”  23 January 1996. American Library Association. 29 Jan 2019 <Library Bill of Rights | ALA > 

Policy 4126: Faculty and Staff Acceptable Use Policy for Information Technology Resources.  Shoreline College   

Policy 4160: Personnel Records and Folders.  Shoreline College.  

Policy 5040: Student Records. Shoreline College,   

“Privacy of Records Policy.” Shoreline College Library/Media Services, April 2004.  

“Public Records: Certain Personal and Other Records Exempt.” Revised Code of Washington.  42.17.310.  

“Privacy Statement: User Information Collected and Your Privacy” Shoreline College Library. 

Washington Administrative Code 292-110-010, Use of State Resources 

Approvals 

Procedures Adopted: 10/17/05
Reviewed and Approved by Executive Team: 07/14/2026