Innisfil ideaLAB & Library is committed to protecting and defending intellectual freedom across our collections, programs and spaces.
Libraries are facing increasing intellectual freedom challenges on a wide range of issues, not just with physical materials like books and movies, but also with programs, e-content, Internet access, room bookings and exhibits. Intellectual freedom challenges can limit access to information, suppress civic engagement, and silence voices, especially those of more marginalized communities.
We’ve joined the Book Sanctuary Movement
A Book Sanctuary is a physical or digital space that actively protects the freedom to read. It provides shelter and access to endangered books. Launched by Chicago Public Library in 2022, The Book Sanctuary initiative brings attention to challenged titles, and commits to making these books accessible.
We’ve created The Book Sanctuary Collection
Innisfil ideaLAB & Library’s Book Sanctuary Collection represents books that have been challenged, censored or removed from a public library or school in North America. More than 50 adult, teen, and children’s books are in our collection and are available for browsing and borrowing in our branches and online. Explore the collection to learn more about why these books were challenged.
Browse our Book Sanctuary Collection:
What is intellectual freedom?
Intellectual freedom is the right of every individual to both seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction. It provides for free access to all expressions of ideas through which any and all sides of a question, cause or movement may be explored. (American Library Association).
Your public library protects your right to choose for yourself what to read, what programs to attend, and what services to use. This allows everyone to explore and learn about a variety of topics, even controversial or unpopular ones. The Innisfil ideaLAB & Library protects your Intellectual Freedom by providing access to a wide range of materials, resources, and programs, and by upholding the individuals’ right to read and think freely.
As a cornerstone of democracy, Intellectual Freedom is protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (section 2B), and is a key element of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article19).
The Innisfil ideaLAB & Library endorses the Ontario Library Association’s Statement on Intellectual Freedom and the Intellectual Rights of the Individual, and their Position on Children’s Rights in the Library and Teens Rights in the Library.
Collections Policy – Provides staff with criteria to use when deciding whether to add a book, DVD or CD to the library collection and makes this information available to the public.