The 21st century climate of privatization, media conglomeration, cutting of teacher librarian positions and other threats to libraries, censorship and self censorship, impermanent and restricted access to purchased electronic records, academic freedom, and human security indicates the need for our increased awareness, understanding, and advocacy of the core library values “intellectual freedom” and “social responsibility". Contributions to this SLIC issue prompt us to be mindful of the historical, political, social, legal, and economic contexts of information and resources used both formally and informally, both consciously and unconsciously, in schools and libraries. The intention is to heighten the sensitivity of practitioners, policy makers, and stakeholders to the many interrelated issues demanding our monitoring, opinion, action, and coalition.
Volume 24, Issue 4
