Feb. 23 to March 2 is Freedom to Read Week, an annual event that encourages Canadians to think about and support intellectual freedom. Public libraries are passionate supporters of intellectual freedom. We think it is a good thing in itself and we know it is guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Intellectual freedom also supports the public library’s role as a “people’s university.” Public libraries need a wide range of materials, including difficult and controversial content, to help people to research and think and form their own opinions.
Do books get challenged in Canadian public libraries? Yes they do. I have been at our library for less than one year and I have received complaints about books and other materials. We have yet to remove anything. Something would have to be seriously incorrect, or of terrible quality, or obscene, or illegal, to be removed. It has been said that a good library has something to offend everyone. That is a bit flippant but I don’t disagree with the sentiment.
This week is about intellectual freedom but it makes me think of freedom to read in other senses. There are people in our community who face other barriers to reading and learning. There are people with vision problems and other disabilities who can’t read regular print. We have large print books and audiobooks for the print disabled to use but we have some special services too.
We are part of the National Network for Equitable Library Service, which produces print disabled versions of books on demand. We also provide access to the Centre for Equitable Library Access which provides audiobooks produced by the Canadian National Institute of the Blind. Both of these services are shortlisted for an international award this year. Too bad only one can win because they are both innovations that Canadians can be proud of.
Other groups can lack the freedom to read. Up until a couple of years ago, residents of First Nations and Metis settlements often couldn’t get an Albertan public library card without paying high non-resident fees. I have met people who had to pay $60 or $80 per year to get their children library cards, a lot of money for anyone and unaffordable for many. That problem was solved with special funding from the province. Immigrants often don’t know the library is open to them, and financially challenged people can be discouraged by fees and fines. We do our honest best to take care of everyone and get a book into every set of hands that wants one.
Ken Feser is chief librarian at Medicine Hat Public Library.
