The Taylor Public Library Board and staff are committed to following the “Statement of Intellectual Freedom” as defined below:
- Every person in Canada has the fundamental right, as embodied in the nation’s Bill of Rights, and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom, to have access to all expression of knowledge, creativity and intellectual freedom and to express their thoughts publicly. The right to intellectual freedom is essential to the health and development of Canadian society.
- Libraries have a basic responsibility for the development and maintenance of intellectual freedom.
- It is the responsibility of libraries to guarantee and facilitate access to all expressions of knowledge and intellectual activity including those which some elements of society consider to be unconventional, unpopular or unacceptable.
- To this end, libraries shall acquire and make available the widest variety of materials. It is the responsibility of libraries to guarantee the right of free expression by making available all the library’s public facilities and service to all individuals and groups who need them. Libraries should resist all efforts to limit the exercise of these responsibilities while recognizing the right of criticism by individuals and groups. Both employees and employers in libraries have a duty, in addition to their institutional responsibilities, to uphold these principles.
Adopted by the Canadian Library Association, Winnipeg 1974; Amended November 17, 1983 and November 18, 1985.
In accordance with its goals and philosophy, the Taylor Public Library matches its collections to the needs and interests of the community. The Library has a responsibility to foster interest as well as sustain it.
The procedure for handling concerns against items within the Taylor Public Library will be as follows:
- Concerns are heard by staff wherein an informal discussion regarding our ‘selection policy’ and the ‘statement of intellectual freedom’ will be included.
- If concerns cannot be resolved at this time, the item in question is removed from the shelf and the patron is advised to formulate a written complaint which will be attached to the item. The item and written concern are given to the Library Director for review.
- If resolution of the concern is not obtained through the Library Director the next step is to forward the item and patron concern to the Library Board for discussion.
- Patron will be notified of the resolution or outcome of his/her concerns.
Adopted June 19, 2013 ; Revised February 14, 2019