Celebrate 40 years of Freedom to Read Week by reading a banned book
Freedom to Read Week is an annual event that encourages people to think about intellectual freedom, its importance, and the challenges that Canadians are facing related to censorship.
This year we’re celebrating by joining the Book Sanctuary Movement to draw attention to stories that have been challenged, censored, or removed across North America, and to reaffirm our commitment as a public library to providing access to information, spaces, and programs that spark discussions and broaden perspectives.
See what's in our Banned Book Sanctuary
Join the movement by checking out a book from our book sanctuary or diving into an article or resource below.
Statement on Intellectual Freedom and Libraries
35 Challenged Publications in Canada
Challenges to Canadian Publications Abroad
Bannings and Burnings in History
"Sleeping with the Elephant: Canada Deals with the Scourge of Censorship Sweeping Across America" by Anita Brooks Kirkland, from Canadian School Libraries Journal
Stop the Presses: A Brief History of Literary Censorship in Canada Fisher Library on YouTube
Learn more about the movement by visiting freedomtoread.ca.