Mar 1

Written by: Joe Longo
Saturday, March 01, 2008 

“Freedom To Read Week” was celebrated last week across Canada. Libraries recognize the diverse nature of their communities and the varied backgrounds and unique needs of their citizens. Library collections seek a wide variety of viewpoints and balance of opinions.

Our Library Board endorses the Canadian and Ontario Library Associations’ statements on intellectual freedom. The provision of library service is based upon the right of the citizen, under the protection of law, to judge individually on questions of politics, religion and morality.

It is the responsibility of libraries to guarantee and facilitate access to all expressions of knowledge and intellectual activity, including those which some in our society may consider to be unconventional, unpopular or unacceptable.

Libraries should resist all efforts to limit the exercise of these responsibilities while still recognizing the right of criticism by individuals and groups. Libraries will comply with all laws including the Criminal Code of Canada prohibitions against obscenity, hate propaganda and sedition.

Libraries do not advocate the ideas and opinions found in their collections. The presence of any material in a public library does not indicate endorsement of its contents by the library. Challenging, extreme or minority points of view are represented. While people have the right to reject for themselves material of which they do not approve, they do not have the right to restrict the freedom of others.

Libraries recognize that some materials may be controversial and that any given item may offend some users. In the case of controversial issues, an effort is made to see that all points of view are represented. Not all materials selected will be suitable for every user. While library staff will attempt to guide individuals to materials suitable for their use, the ultimate responsibility for the choice lies with the user.

Library users of all ages have open access to all library materials listed in the library’s catalogue. Responsibility for the monitoring of the choice of library materials by children rests with their parents, legal guardians or care-givers.

No item will be excluded from the library collection only because it may come into the possession of children. The library believes in the freedom of the individual and the right and obligation of parents to develop, interpret and enforce their own code of acceptable conduct for their own household.

It is the responsibility of libraries to support intellectual freedom issues in the provision of access to electronic sources of information.