An important week for local literacy.

At the last city council meeting (February 18), council approved the Airdrie Public Library's appeal to name the week of February 24 - March 2, 2019, 'Freedom To Read Week'. The reason behind the week, according the the APL is to celebrate intellectual freedom. 

Freedom To Read Week is a project of the Book and Periodical Council (BPC). The BPC is an umbrella organization for Canadian associations that are or whose members are involved with the writing, editing, translating, publishing, producing, distributing, lending, marketing, reading and selling of written words. 

The Freedom Of Expression Committee of the Book and Periodical Council strongly supports our right that is the freedom to read.

"We abhor arbitrary interpretations of the law and other attempts to limit freedom of expression. We recognize court judgments; otherwise, we oppose the detention, seizure, destruction, or banning of books and periodicals – indeed, any effort to deny, repress, or sanitize. Censorship does not protect society; it smothers creativity and precludes open debate of controversial issues."

- Excerpt from the BPC's Position Statement, freedomtoread.ca

When you visit the Airdrie Public Library this week, you will find a display of books by the entrance which were all deemed controversial at some point. Inside each book, you can find a bookmark that explains the controversy. 

APL cards are free and for more information about its services visit the library's website.

 

Comments? Questions? Story ideas? Email us at news@discoverairdrie.com