What is Intellectual Freedom?

Intellectual freedom is the right of every person to seek, receive, and share information and ideas without restriction. Libraries provide access to a wide range of viewpoints and materials, supporting lifelong learning, democracy, and personal growth.

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.

– The Canadian Federation of Library Associations, opens a new window

Why Intellectual Freedom Matters

Intellectual freedom is essential to a healthy, informed community. It encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning by ensuring people can explore ideas freely. It provides access to diverse perspectives and voices, helping individuals broaden their understanding of the world around them. By protecting against censorship and promoting respect for differing opinions and beliefs, intellectual freedom supports open dialogue and mutual understanding, even when viewpoints differ.

Individual Choice

Intellectual freedom is grounded in the principle of individual choice. Adults have the freedom to decide what they read, view, or explore, based on their own interests, values, and beliefs. Respect for that individual choice is a cornerstone of the library’s mission. Freedom of access also means that libraries do not act as moral gatekeepers; rather, we trust individuals and families to make decisions that are appropriate for themselves and their children.

Intellectual Freedom in Practice

At RDPL, intellectual freedom is reflected in our commitment to offering diverse collections that cover a wide range of topics, including ideas that some may consider controversial or challenging. We protect the confidentiality of borrowing records and provide free access to the internet and electronic resources to support equitable access to information. Materials are not removed simply because they may offend some readers; instead, we uphold the principle that access to information should not be restricted based on personal disagreement.

How You Can Participate

You can support intellectual freedom by exploring widely – discovering new authors, topics, and formats that expand your perspective. Respecting others’ choices is equally important; this means refraining from judging or attempting to restrict what others choose to read. Families are encouraged to monitor their own library use in a way that reflects their personal values. Participating in library programs and discussion groups also provides opportunities to engage with diverse viewpoints in a welcoming and respectful environment.