Argues that the library profession should separate rhetoric from rights in the Library Bill of Rights to create two documents: a true Bill of Rights including only those principles demanded by the U.S. Constitution, and a Statement of Philosophy based on the American Library Association's (ALA) Code of Ethics. Contains the ALA Code of Ethics. (PEN)

Argues that the Library Bill of Rights aims to codify First Amendment doctrine and the interests of librarians but falls short. Law allows distinctions between government and private action and reaffirms the discretion of decision makers. The Library Bill of Rights, as shown in discussion of several court decisions, is often far more rigid.…