Stratford Public Library honours Freedom to Read Week

Emma Brommer, public services librarian, was caught reading! Patrons of the Stratford Public Library can take a photo in this selfie booth up until Feb. 28 for Freedom to Read Week.

The Stratford Public Library is honouring Freedom to Read Week with a variety of activities, during a time when censorship is rampant in North America.

Freedom to Read Week runs from Feb. 22 to 28 and honours the right to intellectual freedom. The Stratford Public Library’s received a positive reception for its Freedom to Read programming such as displays for banned and challenged books, buttons, a “caught reading” selfie station, trivia with prizes, and a special edition library card design that says, “Read dangerously.”

“I think in Stratford and Perth County we are fortunate to have supportive members of the public who are excited to be part of a library that values their rights to access whatever literature, art, and information they may need,” said Emma Brommer, public services librarian.

Book bans have occurred across North America in the past few years, including within Alberta and Ontario school boards.

"Attempts to censor literature, art, other media persists today. It’s not something of the past and it threatens to erode democracy not just south of the border, where a lot of people point to, but here in Canada and Ontario as well,” Brommer said.

Brommer added that if censorship and book bans are happening at school libraries, attend school board meetings and stand up for librarians and their decisions around what content is available. She encourages the community to support public libraries of all kinds.

"Join your library if you haven't already a member. If you are and it's been a while, maybe just call in and renew your library card,” she said.

Anyone in need of a new library card can get one of the “Read dangerously” cards at no extra cost to them. Those who already have a Stratford Public Library card in good condition but want a “Read Dangerously” card anyway can purchase one for $2.

More information about the library’s Freedom to Read programming can be found online by visiting https://splibrary.ca/freedomtoread.