Next week is Freedom to Read Week, and Airdrie Public Library will be celebrating with a variety of events aimed at raising awareness about censorship and access to reading materials.
Attempts by individuals and groups to ban books in Canada is on the rise.
Restricting access to books goes against the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which upholds freedom of choice, expression and thought.
This is reinforced by the declaration of human rights put forward by the UN, which states: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
While exact numbers on how many books are being challenged in Canada is difficult to know, there has been a noticeable increase, especially on titles that relate to sexual orientation and gender identity.
Other books, such as the Harry Potter series, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and even Charlotte’s Web continue to face challenges.
Every Canadian has the right to question books they consider offensive and are free to express an opinion about them, but the prevalence of online misinformation and disinformation can lead to confusion about what power individuals have to ban books they disagree with.
A ruling in a 2002 BC Supreme Court case might bring some clarity.
A Surrey school board banned three books that depicted a positive image of same-sex marriage, resulting in a court challenge.
In its deliberation, the court ruled that the school board was wrong to ban these books, stating: “Persons are entitled to hold such beliefs as they choose, but their ability to act on them, whether in the private or public sphere, may be narrower.”
Libraries offer a staggering range of materials on just about every topic under the sun.
If you are concerned about a book, you don’t have to read it.
As a parent, you can decide what your children can read, but one person or group shouldn’t be able to decide what an entire community reads.
Join us Feb. 18-24 for Blind Date with a Book, Book Trivia Night, and our Cozy Book Nook.
