Toronto Public Library Celebrates Freedom To Read

TORONTO, Feb. 24, 2017 /CNW/ - Toronto Public Library is celebrating Freedom to Read Week from February 26 to March 4. This annual event encourages Canadians to think about and reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom. This freedom is a core value for public libraries, and also the foundation of a democratic society.

Public libraries are welcoming, inclusive spaces that make available the widest diversity of opinions and perspectives -  both in our collections and in our programs -  including those that are unpopular, unconventional and even unacceptable to some.

Seventy percent of Torontonians use the library regularly, borrowing more than 30 million items every year and attending thousands of programs that give people uncensored access to a wide variety of topics, beliefs and opinions.

Here's how you can participate in Freedom to Read 2017:

• Attend a program on intellectual freedom in the surveillance age or an uncensored writing workshop
  
  
• Read City Librarian Vickery Bowles' letter to the city about how libraries preserve democracy
  
  
• Participate in a Banned Books Challenge on Facebook and Instagram starting February 26
  
  
• Join our Reddit AMA on Wed, Mar 1 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  
  
• Check out the materials that have been challenged in our collections
  
  
• Learn how we select the materials you find in branches and online

Get the details on all Freedom to Read activities.

Freedom to Read Week is organized nationally by the Freedom of Expression Committee of the Book and Periodical Council.

Toronto Public Library

Toronto Public Library is the world's busiest urban public library system. Last year, we had 18 million visits to our branches and 31 million virtual visits. Torontonians borrowed 32 million items in branches and online. To learn more, visit tpl.ca, call Answerline at 416-393-7131 or follow us on Twitter @torontolibrary.

SOURCE Toronto Public Library

Media Contact: Ana-Maria Critchley, Toronto Public Library, [email protected], 416-393-7212