As libraries are pulled into more and more challenges to books, ideas, opinions and knowledge, librarians and other library staff are increasingly facing organized objections seeking to limit the public’s access to information.

In this live-streamed afternoon exchange, created exclusively for Canadian Librarians, Richard Ovenden, Director of the Bodleian Libraries at the University of Oxford (and author of Burning the Books) and Lisa Radha Vohra, TPL’s Director of Collections and Membership Services, will consider the increasing assaults on intellectual freedom in libraries around the world and what this means for Canadian libraries in their role to “support, defend and promote intellectual freedom”. Which policies are in place or should be in place in Canada to better support library staff and how we might prepare Canadian librarians/library staff to have difficult conversations with people who challenge books?

A significant portion of this conversation will be devoted to a Q&A period where questions will be taken from librarians across Canada.

About this event's guests:

Richard Ovenden
Lisa Radha Vohra

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This event is part of our On Civil Society series.

Generously supported in part by Chris M. Reid

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Toronto Public Library is committed to accessibility. Please call or email us if you are Deaf or have a disability and would like to request accommodation to participate in this program. Please let us know as far in advance as possible and we will do our best to meet your request. At least three weeks notice is preferred. Phone 416-393-7099 or email accessibleservices@tpl.ca

Richard Ovenden: Intellectual Freedom and Libraries