My comments to the Burnaby Public Library board
Last night I spoke to the Burnaby Public Library board about their ongoing Intellectual Freedom Policy review.
As part of this review, they are considering potential changes to how the library selects and provides access to materials as well as library spaces. Specifically, the review is looking at whether the library’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization should play a more explicit role in shaping its collection and room booking decisions.
Library staff, particularly Cristina Freire, have put in an enormous amount of effort collecting information on this subject in a thorough, accurate, and detailed manner, and I am grateful for their hard work.
Background information on the existing policy, as well as the proposed changes, can be found in the following BPL board agendas:
The following is the full text of my speech, which I hope will contribute to a thoughtful discussion on the balance between values such as equity, diversity, and inclusion, and the need to protect the freedom of expression and inquiry that is foundational to our democracy.
The next board meeting takes place on October 17, 2024.
Introduction and Purpose
I am here to strongly support maintaining the Burnaby Public Library’s 2019 Intellectual Freedom Policy.
As a long-time advocate for free expression and access to diverse materials, I believe this policy is essential to keeping the library a space where all ideas, even those that may be unpopular, can be freely explored.
The Value of Intellectual Freedom
As you review the policy, I urge you to prioritize the library’s commitment to intellectual freedom and avoid any changes that could limit access to materials based on their alignment with the library’s strategic goals, like equity, diversity, inclusion and decolonization.
While these values are important to some library staff, they should not come at the cost of restricting access to a full range of knowledge and perspectives. A library’s strength lies in its openness to dialogue and diverse viewpoints, and maintaining the 2019 policy upholds this mission.
A Personal Story: The Power of Access
As a lifelong patron, the library has always been one of my happy places. I believe many of us who love the library have a book from childhood that left a lasting mark on our lives. For me, there was one such book that had a meaningful impact, and I’d like to share its significance to highlight why free speech in our libraries is so important.
When I was about nine years old, I first learned the definition of “homosexuality” from a pamphlet provided by a sexual education teacher. It simply stated, “a man who is sexually attracted to other men.” I knew then that I was gay, but at that age and in that time—1990 or 1991—I was too nervous to ask any teachers about it.
So, I went to the public library in my hometown of Nanaimo and searched the children’s section for more information on the subject. The only book I found was When Someone You Know Is Gay by Susan and Daniel Cohen which I read in the relative safety of the aisles.
The Role of the Library in Shaping Lives
It reassured me that being gay was not immoral or unusual but a normal variation of the human experience. It also showed me that gay men and lesbian women can and do live happy and fulfilling lives.
This, in turn, prompted conversations with trusted adults who affirmed the book’s message, sharing examples of gay and lesbian people in their own lives.
I give credit to the librarian who chose to order that book, which was reportedly banned by several other library systems at the time.
Back then, a great number of Canadians believed that homosexuality was sinful or immoral and many aspects of our culture reflected that.Many who held these beliefs were as committed to their values as you are to equity, diversity, and inclusion and it wouldn’t have been surprising if Vancouver Island Regional Library had banned or refused to order that book.
If they had, it might have changed the course of my life in a negative way.
The Risk of Censorship in New Policy Changes
The books or materials that could be restricted under the proposed policy changes might be as significant to others as the book When Someone You Know Is Gay was to me. Just as that book helped shape my understanding of myself and provided reassurance during a critical time in my life, others grappling with questions about their identity, beliefs, or worldview deserve access to the same breadth of knowledge and support. We cannot predict what materials will have a profound impact on someone, but we can ensure everyone has the opportunity to find them.
I am acutely aware of the controversies surrounding the issues prompting this review.
Some vocal members of the LGBTQ community advocate for shutting down voices and events that conflict with their views on issues like gender identity, and I find that regrettable.
A Journalist’s Perspective on Free Speech
I was a journalist for nearly 20 years, including 11 years reporting for Xtra, Canada’s gay and lesbian news source. During that time I witnessed significant challenges in achieving equality.
One of the biggest obstacles to the advancement of gay and lesbian rights was the censorship of our community’s voices by the government and mainstream media. That’s why we created our own newspapers and magazines.
In those days at Xtra, we strongly opposed censorship and were passionate about free speech—not just for ourselves, but also for those who opposed our cause. Our ability to live and love openly depended on the free exchange of ideas, and for that freedom to have any meaning, it had to go both ways. My editor at the time emphasized the importance of allowing those who opposed gay rights to express their views. If we disagreed, we had the right to respond, but we would never silence them, as had been done to us.
As journalists covering gay, lesbian, and later transgender issues, we engaged with individuals and organizations who opposed these rights. We aimed to accurately record their views without injecting own own perspectives, allowing readers to make up their own minds.
The Importance of Open Dialogue
Many of those I initially perceived as anti-gay enemies were especially kind to me. Through ongoing dialogue, we recognized our shared humanity, and some have become lifelong friends. Indeed, people evolve and grow through dialogue. This evolution would not have been possible if I had shut them out as “bigots” or labelled them with some kind of “-phobe.”
Free Expression & Democratic Values
Even your stated values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and decolonization, along with the ideologies that inform them, must remain open to discussion, debate, and criticism. No set of values, no matter how well-intentioned, should be exempt from scrutiny in a free and open society.
Limiting freedom to favour certain ideologies or narratives risks undermining the democratic principles we value. While history shows that such approaches can lead to authoritarian environments, our focus should be on keeping the library a place where all perspectives are given space, fostering critical thinking and open dialogue.
There is plenty of room in our community for people of many beliefs to coexist peacefully, but only if we have the freedom to express our views and explore diverse ideas without ideological gate-keeping or censorship.
I’ve noticed past library displays celebrating banned or challenged books. If this policy changes to restrict access to books that conflict with views on equity, diversity, inclusion, or decolonization, wouldn’t that amount to a “book ban?” Would those titles be added to future lists of banned or challenged books?
Who will decide which books to ban, and by what standard? Whoever takes on that role would become the very censor that every free society rightly condemns.
Closing: Upholding Intellectual Freedom
In closing, I urge the board to uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and open access that are the cornerstone of our library system. Maintaining the 2019 policy ensures that our library continues to be a space where diverse ideas can be explored and debated, fostering a richer, more inclusive community for all.
Thank you for your attention and for considering the importance of preserving a library environment where every voice has a place. I trust you will make a decision that reflects our shared commitment to free expression and open dialogue.
Thank you for coming to the meeting and your presentation. It was excellent!
Hi Gene. Thank you for your kind feedback as well your friendly words last night. I hope to meet you again someday in the near future.