Freedom to Read Week, opens a new window (February 23-March 1, 2025) is an annual event that encourages Canadians to think about and reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom, which is guaranteed them under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Intellectual freedom is one of the fundamental values of libraries in Canada. From the Canadian Federation of Library Association's Statement on Intellectual Freedom and Libraries:
Libraries have a core responsibility to safeguard and facilitate access to constitutionally protected expressions of knowledge, imagination, ideas, and opinion, including those which some individuals and groups consider unconventional, unpopular or unacceptable. To this end, in accordance with their mandates and professional values and standards, libraries provide, defend and promote equitable access to the widest possible variety of expressive content and resist calls for censorship and the adoption of systems that deny or restrict access to resources.
During Freedom to Read Week, we encourage you to celebrate YOUR freedom to read by checking out one of these titles that have been banned or challenged at some point in the past. All of the titles in the two lists below are available to borrow at RDPL.
There is also a free virtual event taking place on Wednesday, February 26 at 5 p.m. MST:
Censoring Books in Schools and Libraries: What does it mean for our future?, opens a new window
Ira Wells in conversation with James L. Turk
In his new book, On Book Banning, Ira Wells begins with his astonishment when the principal in his children’s school wanted to get rid of “all the old books” as being too Eurocentric, too male, too heteronormative. While understanding these concerns, he felt the solution was wrong. In his engaging exploration of censorship and the common goals of censors of all persuasions, Wells looks at the consequences for human development, for art, and for democracy. Join Ira in conversation with Centre for Free Expression Director James L. Turk, at this time when censorship is becoming popular and pervasive.
This is a free event and no registration is required. The event is co-Sponsored by Canadian School Libraries, Edmonton Public Library, PEN Canada, Toronto Public Library, and Vancouver Public Library.
Date: Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Time: 7 p.m. EST ( 5 p.m. MST)
Zoom Link: https://torontomu.zoom.us/j/91941276567
More resources:
- Understanding Challenges to Books and Magazines
- 41 Challenged Publications in Canada
- Bannings & Burnings in History
- Challenged Works List
For more information about Freedom to Read Week, visit freedomtoread.ca
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