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This week is Freedom to Read week, and Richmond Public Library is celebrating.
Photo by Jaana Björk
Celebrate your Freedom to Read this week
Published 1:04 PST, Thu February 23, 2023
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Libraries across Canada recognize Freedom to Read Week every February, but the Richmond Public Library (RPL) strives year-round to protect people’s right to freely choose what they read.
During Freedom to Read Week, libraries focus on raising awareness about the impacts of censorship and informing the community about how and why books are challenged.
Hundreds of mainstream and little-known books, movies, magazines, and more have been challenged in Canada over the last 40 years. During that same time, Richmond Public Library has received, reviewed, and resolved 117 customer challenges, including five last year.
“Intellectual freedom and the right to choose what you read, listen to, and watch is fundamental to what Richmond Public Library stands for,” says Wendy Jang, coordinator of collections and customer service delivery. “Our collection of over 420,000 digital and physical items covers a wide range of ideas and viewpoints that inspire curiosity, enhance creativity, and help to build a more informed society.”
The City of Richmond stands with the library in support of intellectual freedom. The mayor has signed a proclamation endorsing Freedom to Read Week, available on our website at yourlibrary.ca/proclamation and on display at all RPL branches.
There are many ways to celebrate your freedom to read at Richmond Public Library. Visit the library’s online collection of some of the most popular challenged books at yourlibrary.ca/freedom. Or, visit a library location in-person to browse displays of banned and challenged books, or take part in a book club where you can share your ideas, broaden your horizons, and gain different perspectives. And be sure to try the library’s Your Next Great Read service, where a librarian will personally make book suggestions based on individual reading interests.
To learn more about Freedom to Read Week, visit freedomtoread.ca.
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