Back in February, LawMatters and British Columbia Library Association asked you to share your experiences with book and programming challenges in your libraries. Based on this feedback, BCLA is offering a free 3-part virtual training series that highlights practical resources and tools related to intellectual freedom, including public challenges to library collections and library programming that may result in public protest.
These sessions are intended to provide practical tools for BC public library workers who experience or may experience these kinds of challenges in their libraries.
Feel free to register for one session or all of them! All sessions will be on Zoom.
June 27 from 1 to 2:30: Practical Tools & Resources for Intellectual Freedom, offered in partnership with the Centre for Free Expression
In this session, Dr. James Turk, director of the Centre for Free Expression, will provide a walk through and demonstration of the organization’s databases, including the Canadian Library Challenges and Library Policies databases, which provide real-life examples of library policies and responses around book challenges.
July 4 from 3 to 3:45: From Hate to Hope, offered in partnership with the Office of the BC Human Rights Commissioner
In this session, BC Human Rights Commissioner Kasari Govender will provide an introduction to human rights in BC and talk about the office’s ongoing campaign into the rise of hate in BC during the COVID-19 pandemic, From Hate to Hope.
July 11 from 3 to 4:30: Legal Resources for Libraries Facing Public Challenges, offered in partnership with Courthouse Libraries BC and Lawyer Adrienne Smith
In this session, Adrienne Smith (they/them/iel), a transgender human rights activist and social justice lawyer, will address deciphering the ‘legal-eze’ that certain group challenging books use to bolster their views, an understanding of legal boundaries around scenes of protest and how to address them, and a basic awareness of job protection rights and resources.
To register, follow the links above or head over to BCLA’s website!