Intellectual Freedom

Regina Public Library supports intellectual freedom and endorses the Canadian Federation of Library Association (CFLA)’s Statement on Intellectual Freedom and Libraries. This is of such significant importance that it is included in RPL’s Values statement.

Updated February 13, 2026
S
Saskatchewan Information & Library Services Consortium Regina Public Library
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On Book Banning
Wells, Ira.
Paper Book
A Winnipeg Free Press Best Book of 2025 The freedom to read is under attack. From the destruction of libraries in ancient Rome to today's state-sponsored efforts to suppress LGBTQ+ literature, book bans arise from the impulse toward social control. In a survey of legal cases,...
Free speech : a history from Socrates to social media
—Mchangama, Jacob, 1978- author.
Paper Book
"The best history of free speech ever written and the best defense of free speech ever made." --P.J. O'Rourke Hailed as the "first freedom," free speech is the bedrock of democracy. But it is a challenging principle, subject to erosion in times of upheaval. Today, in...
That Librarian : The Fight Against Book Banning in America
Jones, Amanda.
Paper Book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER "Amanda Jones started getting death threats, all for standing up for our right to read . . . but she's not stopped fighting against book bans, or stopped advocating for access to diverse stories."-Oprah Winfrey, in a speech at the 2023 National Book...
Burning the books : a history of the deliberate destruction of knowledge
—Ovenden, Richard
Paper Book
Wolfson History Prize Finalist A New Statesman Book of the Year A Sunday Times Book of the Year "If you care about books, and if you believe we must all stand up to the destruction of knowledge and cultural heritage, this is a brilliant read--both...
How to stand up to a dictator : the fight for our future
—Ressa, Maria
Paper Book
"In this impassioned warning and inspirational call to arms, Ressa identifies and illuminates her core values of empathy, honesty, and faith in humanity to illustrate how a strong commitment to such foundational beliefs can provide the key to democracy's survival. . . . Searing and electrifying."...
https://saskatchewan.overdrive.com/saskatchewan-regina/bestbooks/collection/1524784
Freedom to Read Week was founded in 1984 to defend against censorship and create a broader awareness of ongoing challenges to creative works. It is a call to action for all Canadians to consider and defend their right to publish, read and write freely. To find out more go to: freedomtoread.ca
https://www.freedomtoread.ca/

For 40 years, the Book and Periodical Council (BPC) was the driving force behind Freedom to Read Week. The BPC brings together a diverse range of organizations that support the written-word sector in Canada. It provides members with opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and capacity building that will strengthen their individual and collective impact on the industry.

https://cfe.torontomu.ca/

The Centre for Free Expression, launched in 2015, is a non-partisan platform focused on freedom of expression – the human right to hold opinions and to seek, receive, and share information and ideas. It works in collaboration with academic and civil society organizations across Canada and internationally and is based in the Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University). Through public education and engagement, commentaries, legal analysis, research, and advocacy, the CFE attempts to deepen the understanding of freedom of expression rights and the relationship of freedom of expression to individual development, advancement of knowledge, democracy, and social justice.

https://cfe.torontomu.ca/databases/canadian-library-challenges-database
The CFE-CFLA/FCAB Canadian Library Challenges Database provides access to challenges libraries have faced to items in their collection, and to displays, programs, room usage, and computer access.
https://www.ala.org/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10

Every year, the American Library Association\'s (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom compiles a list of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books in order to inform the public about censorship in libraries and schools.

https://cfla-fcab.ca/en/guidelines-and-position-papers/statement-on-intellectual-freedom-and-libraries/
The Canadian Federation of Library Associations recognizes and values the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as the guarantor of the fundamental freedoms in Canada of conscience and religion; of thought, belief, opinion, and expression; of peaceful assembly; and of association. The Canadian Federation of Library Associations supports and promotes the universal principles of intellectual
https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/censorship/faq
Intellectual freedom is the right of every individual to both seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction. It provides for free access to all expressions of ideas through which any and all sides of a question, cause or movement may be explored.

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