Together these statements offer standards for the protection of intellectual freedom and first amendment rights, and serve to guide the creation of policies on open access to all forms of information, including those in electronic media.

The Virginia Library Association supports the principle of open access to information and ideas, regardless of the medium in which they exist. The Association believes that a democracy can only succeed if its citizens have access to the information necessary to form opinions and make decisions on issues affecting their lives. The Association regards access to this information as a right of free citizens. The Association endorses the American Library Association's Code of Ethics, Freedom to Read Statement, the Library Bill of Rights, and the interpretations of the Library Bill of Rights. The association encourages local library systems to adopt policies consistent with their resources and their mission while supporting these ideals.

The position of the Virginia Library Association on Open Access to the Internet is a logical extension of its traditional commitment to any resource which has been provided to the public by libraries. The library's primary role in offering Internet resources is not to restrict them, but to offer the public user assistance in locating, interpreting and appreciating resources.

The Virginia Library Association endorses a position of open access and opposes any state or Federally mandated restrictions on or of access to the Internet. The Association encourages local library systems to adopt policies consistent with their resources and their mission while supporting these ideals.