Contemporary Challenges and Censorship in School Libraries in Canada
Abstract
The purpose of this chapter is to familiarize readers with contemporary challenges and censorship in school libraries and learning commons in Canada. The informal narrative reflects the viewpoints of seasoned advocates for intellectual freedom and social responsibility in the Canadian library sector. Content concentrates on the main sources of challenges, four common types of challenges that can lead to censorship (content, curriculum, genre, and book leveling), an essential two step strategy and related resources for dealing with challenges and combating censorship, and a pointer for educators in library and information programs. The chapter closes with an expression of appreciation and concern for the individuals who take personal and professional risk in managing challenges and combating censorship in school libraries and learning commons in Canada and beyond.
References
Action4Canada. n.d. “A Curated List of SOGI-Inclusive Books for K-12 Schools.” Accessed September 11, 2022. https://action4canada.com/wp-content/uploads/List-of-SOGI-Inclusive-Books-for-K-12-Schools.pdf.
American Library Association. 2021. “Code of Ethics.” https://www.ala.org/tools/ethics.
American Library Association. 2022. “ALA Condemns Threats of Violence in Libraries.” https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2022/06/ala-condemns-threats-violence-libraries.
Beaudry, Richard. 2022. “When a Book by an Eminent Indigenous Author Is Pulled from a School Library, Something is Wrong.” Centre for Free Expression (blog), May 4. https://cfe.ryerson.ca/blog/2022/05/when-book-eminent-indigenous-author-pulled-school-library-something-wrong.
Book and Periodical Council. n.d. “Challenged Works.” Accessed September 11, 2022. http://www.freedomtoread.ca/challenged-works/.
Book and Periodical Council. n.d. “Freedom of Expression and Freedom to Read.” Accessed September 11, 2022. http://www.thebpc.ca/whats-happening/freedom-to-read-week/.
Book and Periodical Council. n.d. “Welcome to the BPC.” Accessed September 11, 2022. https://www.thebpc.ca/.
British Columbia Library Association. n.d. “Statement of Intellectual Freedom.” Accessed September 11, 2022. https://bclaconnect.ca/about/statement-of-intellectual-freedom/statement-of-intellectual-freedom/.
Canadian Federation of Library Associations—Fédération canadienne des associations de bibliothèques. 2016. “Deliberate Destruction of Libraries Position Statement.” https://cfla-fcab.ca/en/guidelines-and-position-papers/deliberate-destruction-of-libraries-position-statement/.
Canadian Federation of Library Associations—Fédération canadienne des associations de bibliothèques. 2018. “Intellectual Freedom Challenges Survey.” Accessed September 11, 2022. http://cfla-fcab.ca/en/programs/intellectual-freedom-challenges-survey/
Canadian Federation of Library Associations—Fédération canadienne des associations de bibliothèques. 2022. “Notices of Personal Liability: Memo from CFLA’s Intellectual Freedom Committee.” July 6. https://cfla-fcab.ca/en/intellectual-freedom/notices-of-personal-liability/.
Canadian Federation of Library Associations—Fédération canadienne des associations de bibliothèques. 2016. “Statement on Intellectual Freedom and Libraries.” http://cfla-fcab.ca/en/guidelines-and-position-papers/statement-on-intellectual-freedom-and-libraries/.
Canadian Library Association. 2008. “Position Statement on Diversity and Inclusion.” https://cla.ca/wp-content/uploads/Diversity-and-Inclusion-May-2008.pdf.
“Catholic school board changes mind, allows book depicting 2 boys kissing back in libraries.” CBC News. January 16, 2019. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/drama-graphic-novel-catholic-library-1.4980153.
Chamberlain v. Surrey School District No. 36. Supreme Court Judgements—Report [2002] 4 SCR 710—Case Number 28654. Last modified December 20, 2022. https://scc-csc.lexum.com/scc-csc/scc-csc/en/item/2030/index.do.
Follert, Jillian. 2022. “DDSB Responds to Criticism after Book by Indigenous Author Pulled from School Library Shelves.” thestar.com. April 18. https://www.thestar.com/local-oshawa/news/2022/04/18/ddsb-responds-to-criticism-after-book-by-indigenous-author-pulled-from-school-library-shelves.html.
Government of Canada. 2019. Justice Laws Website. Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Constitution Act, 1982 (80) Part I—Fundamental Freedom. Last modified February 19, 2019. https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/Const/page-15.html.
Government of Canada. 2022. Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada “Indigenous Peoples and Communities.” Last modified August 30, 2022. https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1100100013785/1529102490303.
Government of Canada. 2022b. Justice Laws Website. Criminal Code (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-46) 163.1 (1). Last modified June 29, 2022. https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-46/section-163.1.html .
Government of Canada. 2022c. Justice Laws Website. Criminal Code (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-46) 152. Last modified June 29, 2022. https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-46/section-152.html .
Hensley, Laura. 2018. “Certain Books Continue to Cause an Uproar in Canadian Education—Here’s Why.” Global News. October 19. https://globalnews.ca/news/4571476/banned-books-in-canadian-schools/.
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. 2021. “IFLA School Library Manifesto 2021.” https://www.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/assets/school-libraries-resource-centers/publications/ifla_school_manifesto_2021.pdf.
Mollard, Murray. J. 1997. “Civil Liberties in the Schools.” British Columbia Civil Liberties Association. April 10. “https://bccla.org/our_work/civil-liberties-in-the-schools/.
Oberg, Dianne. n.d. “Freedom of Expression Rights and the School Library: Who Speaks for the Kids in Your School When the Censor Comes Calling?” Book and Periodical Council. Freedom to Read. Accessed September 11, 2022. https://www.freedomtoread.ca/articles/freedom-of-expression-rights-and-the-school-library/?fbclid=IwAR2Pc_jvoOtE1TEt5RROqPHIs_fAJuUN-PWgEuFzqLg9xJX0JlOz4VwXOhM.
Osman, Laura. 2019. “Ottawa School Board Pulls Book with LGBT Characters from Elementary Libraries.” January 15. CBC News. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/drama-telgemeier-banned-ottawa-catholic-school-1.4977546.
Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. n.d. BC School Act [RSBC 1996] CHAPTER 412. Part 6—Boards of Education. Division 1—Corporate Status and Meetings. Section 76—Conduct. Accessed September 11, 2022. https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96412_06#section76.
“SOGI 123.” n.d. bc.sogieducation.org. Accessed September 11, 2022. https://bc.sogieducation.org/.
Steffenhagen, Janet. 2009. “Human Rights Complaints in Two B.C. Schools.” Vancouver Sun. October 6, 2009. https://vancouversun.com/news/staff-blogs/human-rights-complaints-in-two-b-c-schools/.
United Nations. 1989. “Convention on the Rights of the Child.” https://www.ohchr.org/en/professionalinterest/pages/crc.aspx.
United Nations. 1948. “Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights.
Vancouver School Board. 2021. “Administrative Procedure 252—Learning Resources—Challenged Materials.” Administrative Procedures Manual. Last modified January 26. https://www.vsb.bc.ca/District/Departments/Office_of_the_Superintendent/Administrative-Procedures-Manual/Pages/Default.aspx.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5860/jifp.v8i1.7873
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
© 2024 OIF