Our Freedom to Read and Why It’s Important – Staff

Whether you call it Intellectual Freedom, Freedom of Expression, or Freedom to Read, libraries have a responsibility to defend (against censorship) and provide access to a wide variety of constitutionally protected expressions of knowledge, imagination, ideas, and opinion, including those that some individuals and groups consider unconventional, unpopular, or unacceptable (Canadian Federation of Library Associations, 2019).
Libraries face a minority, reactionary book-banning movement that goes against our ideals of freedom to read, diversity, and the public good (Library Freedom Project, n.d.).
Examples of censorship in Public Libraries:
- Deciding not to purchase a popular title because the library staff member personally objects to the content or author.
- Requiring a user to ask for access to regularly circulating materials (e.g., reshelving, keeping items behind the desk, etc.).
- Library boards requiring library staff to pull materials without following established reconsideration policy/procedure.

(Censorship Q&A, American Library Association, n.d.)

What’s the Difference between Selection and Censorship?
- Selection is following an established collection development policy. Library staff use their training and expertise to select items for the community they serve. There are various constraints and factors that library staff must consider when they are purchasing materials for their communities’ collections. Censorship occurs when a library staff member strays from the collection development policy to not select certain materials based on personal beliefs or fear of controversy (Censorship Q&A, American Library Association, n.d.).
Libraries are awesome and most people love them! Try creating a clear and sincere elevator pitch about the library that can be used when questions or concerns are brought forward about library collections, programming, or values.
- TEMPLATE: “[Library]’s fundamental role is to [action/purpose] that [impact to community]. [Some examples of what the library does]. The library’s values are [a, b, and c] and we live those values by [x, y, and z]” (Library Freedom Project, n.d.).
When dealing with intellectual freedom concerns from community members, use the L.E.A.R.N. Approach:
- Listen – Many people just want to be heard
- Empathize – Do not apologize or appear to agree
- Advocate – For what libraries are and what they stand for
- Redirect – Show them you have something for everyone, including them
- Notify others – You’re not alone; find support in/outside your organization

(Library Freedom Project, n.d.)

Make sure your board has an intellectual freedom policy in place, know what it says, and the procedure to follow if a patron makes a complaint about a collections item or library program (e.g., Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials form). Know what steps to take if the patron behaviour turns into harassment. You do not have to endure harassment at work. Refer to your Workplace Harassment policy (required under AB Occupational Health & Safety legislation) as to how instances of harassment should be handled in your library.
Some community groups, like Action 4 Canada, have been issuing/delivering ‘legal-looking’, misleading documents, like a ‘Notice of Liability’ to libraries and their staff. These are not legally binding documents and do not replace established library processes for dealing with book challenges (Librarianship.ca, 2022).
It is recommended to report book challenges and book-banning attempts to the Canadian Library Challenges Database.
You can (and should) promote Freedom to Read all year! While celebrating National Freedom to Read Week (usually held in February) is a wonderful way to promote our right to free expression, promoting this right throughout the year, will help instill its importance for all in your patrons and community members.

To parents/guardians: The library does not impose parenting choices, methods, or ideologies. We collect materials that reflect the information needs and curiosities of many kinds of families. Materials, programs, or services that are not right for your family might be right for another family. We’re happy to help find what your family needs.
To community members: “Choice” is an essential right in libraries; no one is forced to read or check anything out. Library staff choose materials using professional judgment and following criteria outlined in our collections policy. We don’t necessarily agree with everything we buy, but we do make sure the materials chosen have been recommended for the diverse patrons we serve. Children and teens (as well as adults) have rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to seek and receive information.
To legislators: The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms prohibits libraries from discriminating against people or groups based on views. Publicly-funded libraries have a responsibility to follow professional standards in selecting materials to meet the wide-ranging needs, interests, identities, and expressions of everyone in the communities they serve.

(Library Freedom Project, n.d.)

If you would like more information on freedom of expression and censorship, please see the Understanding Intellectual Freedom and Censorship and Intellectual Freedom & Censorship in Canada video tutorials in the PRLS Staff Training Academy.