Banned or challenged books are books that people have tried to remove from libraries or limit access to because they object to the content. Public libraries have a duty to promote the freedom to read and access to diverse viewpoints, by giving access to a wide variety of viewpoints—even if they may be controversial.
Libraries uphold Canadians’ right to intellectual freedom. Smithers Public Library endorses the following statements and documents, which shape our policies, collections and services:
- British Columbia Human Rights Code, Articles 7 and 8
- British Columbia Library Association Statement on Intellectual Freedom
- Canadian Federation of Library Associations Statement on Intellectual Freedom and Libraries
- Constitution Act, Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Fundamental Freedoms section 2(b)
- International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions Statement on Censorship
- United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Articles 18 and 19
- United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 13 (1)
Further Reading and Resources
- 29 books that were challenged in Canada (CBC, Feb 28, 2023): “Here are 29 books you may be surprised to learn have battled attempts at censorship in Canada.”
- The Book Sanctuary Movement: A Book Sanctuary is a physical or digital space that actively protects the freedom to read. This initiative was launched by Chicago Public Library in 2022 to bring attention to challenged titles, and commits to making these books accessible.
- Freedom to Read Week is an annual event that encourages Canadians to think about and reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom. Freedom to Read Week is led by Library and Archives Canada, the Canadian Urban Library Council, and the Ontario Library Association in partnership with the Book and Periodical Council. Explore their resources about censorship in Canada.
- On Civil Society: Toronto Public Library’s amazing online and in-person program series: “… pushes boundaries and explores our differences. Programs take you deeper in the issues affecting our world today and encourage you to take part in conversations where you can expect to challenge your own perspectives and learn from one another through civil discourse.”