Statement of Library Principles

It is the mission of the Central Michigan University Instructional Materials Center to support the teaching, research, and service missions of the University through the provision of appropriate library materials and services. In building the collection, the Instructional Materials Center is guided specifically by the collection development policies and more generally by the American Library Association's "Library Bill of Rights". The latter articulates the obligation of libraries to collect materials expressing a diversity of views and to resist the censorship of these materials based on religious, ethical, partisan, or doctrinal grounds.  As part of its collection development program, the Instructional Materials Center encourages the participation of its users, particularly faculty, in the selection of materials. While library users may participate in the withdrawal of materials, the Instructional Materials Center normally removes specific holdings from the collection only because of deteriorating condition, obsolescence, or the inappropriateness of an item based on the IMC's collection development policy.
 

 Library Bill Of Rights 

The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas and that the following basic policies

 should guide their services.

1.         Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

2.         Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

3.         Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

4.         Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.

5.         A person's right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.

6.         Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

CMU provides individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations to participate in educational programs, activities or services. Students with disabilities requiring accommodations should seek assistance from an IMC staff member at the front desk.