The American Library Association supports every American’s right to access information.
The First Amendment of the Bill of Rights asserts that Congress can not create laws based on religion and that every American has the right to assemble and the right to free speech, including members of the press. James Madison who is credited with drafting the Bill of Rights was born on is March 16 and in honor of his creation of the First Amendment, we acknowledge March 16 as Freedom of Information Day.
Freedom of Information Day was created in 1979 by Jim Bohannon as a way for journalists to “celebrate their freedoms under the First Amendment”.
Freedom of Information Day has expanded into a weeklong celebration of transparency and openness in the American Government, known as Sunshine Week.
The 1966 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) which allows for journalists and citizens of the United States to access information from federal agencies associated with the Executive Branch of the government, include the Office of the President of the United States, the FBI and the Department of State as well as other agencies.
We, at Middlesex Public Library, support the right of all of our patrons to access the information that they need or want, whether that be information from a government agency or any information that helps them understand themselves and the world around them better. We are committed to serving the public and helping our patrons to find the information that they need and want.