Join IFLA’s North American Regional Division and the Canadian Federation of Library Associations for an exploration of library values – especially intellectual freedom and the right to read – in the context of challenging political and financial pressures in North America.

In a period of intense political polarization, distrust of institutions and the erosion of information integrity, libraries are under unprecedented pressure to defend free expression and information access. This session will highlight a range of perspectives on how trends in censorship, information integrity and access are impacting our sector, as well as an interactive exploration of library advocacy for intellectual freedom. Following a panel discussion featuring voices from North American library associations and IFLA, we will explore collaboratively how library institutions are best situated to persist in defending their core values.

This is a half-day pre-conference workshop (28 January from 1-4 p.m.) with multiple speakers at the Ontario Library Association Superconference.  Pre-registration is required.

Organizers:  Andrea Cecchetto

Director, Service Excellence at Markham Public Library and Chair, Canadian Federation of Library Associations; past president of the Ontario Library Association.

Joseph Hafner

Since 2024, Dean of Libraries at York University (Ontario), after twenty years at McGill University as Librarian and Associate Dean for Library Collection Services.