Intellectual Freedom
Your Right to Read, Learn, and Explore Without Limits
Contents
CAP Libraries
Adult & Teen Books On Censorship & Book Banning
Kids' Books on Censorship & Book Banning
Limited Edition RDPL Tote Bags for Sale!
Stand up for your freedom to read with a limited edition Red Deer Public Library zippered tote bag! This special tote is available for $20 and makes the perfect companion for all your library visits.
Our latest tote bag design highlights a famous quote from Isaac Asimov, which reads "Any book worth banning is a book worth reading." This quote reflects the belief that access to a wide range of viewpoints is essential. Books that are targeted for censorship – whether via restricted access or outright removal – frequently address complex, controversial, or thought-provoking subjects, making them valuable opportunities for readers to engage with different ideas and perspectives, think critically, and draw their own conclusions.
Quantities are limited, so be sure to purchase yours while supplies last. Bags are available at the Downtown, Dawe, and Timberlands Branches.
Coalition of Alberta Public Libraries
The changes announced by the Government of Alberta impact 324 public library service points across the province, which serve 99% of Albertans. Please note that the Coalition of Alberta Public Libraries' website is temporarily offline while it is updated to reflect that the Bill has passed. For local impacts here in Red Deer, please refer to the information below.
About Bill 28
Bill 28, opens a new window and the associated regulations, opens a new window have been approved, and libraries across Alberta are now working through implementation. These regulations introduce new provincial requirements governing access to library materials, spaces, and services based on age. Public libraries across Alberta are required to implement these changes by January 1, 2027.
The impact of these changes will look different for every library – and, here in Red Deer, for each of our library branches. We have a lot to work through as we determine what implementation will look like for our community and how we can comply with the new regulations while continuing to uphold our longstanding commitment to equitable access to information and services. We will do everything we can to minimize the impact on our community, but we know this will come with challenges.
It is important to note that no additional provincial funding is being provided to libraries to support the implementation of these required changes. We appreciate your patience and understanding as this work continues.
Thank you for Supporting Alberta’s Public Libraries
We are incredibly grateful to the many Albertans who took the time to learn about Bill 28, ask questions, share their perspectives, write letters, and stand up for public libraries throughout this process. As we move into implementation of the Bill, we encourage you to stay informed by watching this webpage for updates, following us on social media, and subscribing to our library newsletter, opens a new window.
In the meantime, please keep learning and exploring freely, thinking critically, and forming your own opinions. And, as always, please visit your local library (that’s us!) and show your support. Library cards are free for every Red Deer resident, and signing up for a library card is one of the simplest ways to show that you value and support your public library.
We appreciate you so much!
FAQs Regarding Bill 28
Banned or Challenged Books
These stories spotlight diverse voices and ideas, and have been challenged or banned in libraries or schools across North America.
Banned or Challenged Books for Adults & Teens
Banned or Challenged Children's Books
Books About Censorship & Book Banning
Explore these eye-opening stories and learn why access to books – and the freedom they represent – matters more than ever.
Adult & Teen Books On Censorship & Book Banning
Kids' Books on Censorship & Book Banning
Freedom to Read: eBooks & eAudiobooks on Libby
Explore our curated collection of more than 100 books that have been challenged or banned in schools and libraries. Borrow these thought-provoking reads in the Libby app and join in celebrating the ideas that keep our world growing.
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.
RDPL strives to offer a broad range of materials and programs to serve our diverse community. What is suitable for one individual or family may not be a good fit for another. Decisions about a child’s reading and program participation are the responsibility of their parent or guardian, and each family has the right to determine what is suitable for their own children, while respecting that other families may make different choices.
We encourage families to talk together about what is appropriate to read, watch, listen to, and play. Children under 18 require parental or guardian permission to obtain a library card, and families can conveniently monitor borrowing activity through their online accounts. Collections are carefully curated and organized by age and intended audience. Children’s cards are limited to items in the children’s collection only, while teen cards allow access to the full library collection, with the exception of adult video games. Libraries respect family autonomy while providing equal access to all.
Intellectual freedom is essential for children and youth to effectively explore the world of ideas; discover and pursue interests; learn skills and access information; inspire innovation; and grow in self-knowledge and empathy. Libraries respect the rights of children to access information and ideas.
Parents and guardians have the right to steward their child’s exploration of the library in a manner consistent with the evolving capacities of the child, but do not have the right to place access restrictions on other children.
– CFLA-FCAB Statement on Libraries & the Intellectual Freedom of Children & Youth, opens a new window
Helpful tip! Tools such as BiblioCommons, opens a new window catalogue records or Novelist K-8 Plus, opens a new window often include publisher reviews that list the target audience and content of an item.
