1.0ALSC Bloghttps://www.alsc.ala.org/blogALSC Intellectual Freedom committeehttps://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/author/intellectual-freedom-committee/rich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="1KdoISqNrj"><a href="https://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2013/05/going-commercial-free/">Going Commercial Free</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2013/05/going-commercial-free/embed/#?secret=1KdoISqNrj" width="600" height="338" title="“Going Commercial Free” — ALSC Blog" data-secret="1KdoISqNrj" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script> /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(d,l){"use strict";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),c=new RegExp("^https?:$","i"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display="none";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):"link"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute("src")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener("message",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute("data-secret"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+="#?secret="+t,e.setAttribute("data-secret",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:t},"*")},!1)))}(window,document); //# sourceURL=https://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/wp-includes/js/wp-embed.min.js </script> After a great deal of thought, the Georgetown Branch of the Allen County Public Library made the decision to stop using copyright/branded puppets and stuffed animals in their play area or during storytimes. They offered the following note to their customers: In order to promote more creative play, all of the toys, puzzles, and coloring sheets in our children’s area will not feature branded characters from movie and TV shows. Of course, we will continue to purchase books and movies for our library collection with all sorts of popular characters, as we always have.  We can also print a particular coloring sheet for your child upon request. Sara Patalita, the Children’s Librarian at this branch, was a driving force behind this decision. She graciously agreed to answer some questions about what was behind this decision. 1.      What made you decide to go commercial free? Our branch has a great selection...http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8477/8230170817_24084c69c3.jpg