Centre for Free Expression and CFLA Announce Partnership in Library Challenges Database

January 22, 2024

The Centre for Free Expression at Toronto Metropolitan University and the Canadian Federation of Library Associations (CFLA) today announced the results of their 2023 partnership agreement to manage a single portal and database for libraries to report and access information on intellectual freedom challenges libraries face to items in their collection, and to displays, programs, room usage, and computer access.

Hosted on the Centre for Free Expression (CFE),

The CFE-CFLA/CFAB Library Challenges Database provides access to challenges libraries have faced to items in their collection, and to displays, programs, room usage, and computer access. For each challenge, the database provides information about the challenge, including (1) the item, the nature of the objection, and the requested remedy; (2) (where available) the record of the review of the challenged item undertaken by the library; (3) the library’s response.

Joint Library Challenges Database Tracks Censorship Demands Faced by Canadian Libraries

The Centre for Free Expression (CFE) and the Canadian Federation of Library Associations-Fédération canadienne des associations de bibliothèques (CFLA-FCAB) are partnering in a single, joint database of challenges to Canadian library materials, programs, displays, and room rentals. The Library Challenges Database is being hosted by the CFE and resides on its website. CFLA-FCAB will maintain a historical archive of anonymous challenges for research purposes.

“CFLA-FCAB is excited to partner with CFE in this important project thanks to the tireless work of CFE and the CFLA Intellectual Freedom Committee.” said Lorisia MacLeod, Chair of CFLA-FCAB.

“Collaboration often leads to the strongest outcome and, with the topic of censorship attempts, it’s more important than ever to ensure that we have strong data collection for both research and advocacy- a goal I think this joint database supports wholeheartedly.”

James Turk, Director of CFE, shares the excitement that CFE and CFLA/FCAB have committed to working together on providing a joint library challenges database which will be a uniquely useful source of information for libraries, researchers, and the public.

“It’s important, amidst the growing demands for censorship in our society, that libraries be able to see who else has faced similar challenges and how they dealt with them,” said Turk. “It is also important for the public to know when there are attempts to block access to books, films, and speakers and whether these attempts at censorship are successful.”

For more information about the library challenges database, please contact

Ange Holmes
Coordinator
Centre for Free Expression, Toronto Metropolitan University
ange.holmes@torontomu.ca
(437) 995-7396.

(Via Canadian Federation of Library Associations)

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