OLA Position on Children's Rights in the Public Library
Children in Public Libraries have the right to:
Intellectual freedom
Equal access to the full range of services and materials available to other users.
A full range of materials, services and programs specifically designed and developed to meet their needs.
Adequate funding for collections and services related to population, use and local community needs.
A library environment that complements their physical and developmental stages.
Trained and knowledgeable staff specializing in children's services.
Welcoming, respectful, supportive service from birth through the transition to adult user.
An advocate who will speak on their behalf to the library administration, library board, municipal council and community to make people aware of the goals of children's services.
Library policies written to include the needs of the child.
Adopted at the Ontario Library Association
Annual General Meeting, November 1998
