This month, the Richmond Public Library will display banned and challenged books at all of its branches to celebrate Freedom to Read Week.
The week is an annual event, celebrated by libraries across Canada to support intellectual freedom and Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie has issued a proclamation endorsing Freedom to Read Week.
“We must continue our efforts to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our freedom to read,” says Robin Leung, Richmond’s library board chair.
“Freedom to Read Week is an opportunity for Richmond Public Library and the City of Richmond to jointly acknowledge our role in helping to maintain an open environment free of censorship, while highlighting the impacts that can occur when intellectual freedom is stifled.”
Check out the banned and challenged books on display from Feb. 24 to March 2, which could include classics such as George Orwell's "1984," J. K. Rowlings' "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" or Dr. Seuss' "Green Eggs and Ham."
The Richmond Public Library says it “provides a welcoming and inclusive space for the community to access a wide range of materials in a variety of formats” and welcomes readers to speak with library staff members if they have any questions about materials.
