Manitoba Library Association has continued its work responding to calls for censorship in Manitoba libraries through the month of May. Our board and staff have worked hard on these responses and we would like to express sincere thanks to our members and partner organizations for their collaboration – without your active engagement, these responses would not have been possible.
Manitoba Library Association Posts
Intellectual Freedom Toolkit
Posted in Advocacy, and Intellectual Freedom
Manitoba Library Association continues to express its ongoing concern regarding book censorship efforts in the province. As recently as this week, Brandon School Division was approached by a delegation suggesting the banning of books from school libraries.
In response to these matters, MLA is announcing its release of the
Public Libraries Intellectual Freedom and Anti-Censorship Toolkit.
A warm welcome to MLA’s Staff
Posted in Board, Conference, and Professional Development
Manitoba Library Association is proud to share that with funding from Manitoba Sport, Culture, and Heritage, we have contracted two support staff positions to the Association this winter.
Manitoba Library Association continues to respond to calls for censorship and defunding at South Central Regional Library:
Southern Manitoba libraries face funding threats over failed book bans – Winnipeg Free Press
Message to Members
Posted in Uncategorized
The following message was sent to MLA members on April 1, 2023.
Good day MLA Members,
The MLA Advocacy team has continued to follow matters relating to censorship and defunding challenges in Manitoba Libraries, which emerged in September 2022 and have been escalating since. While primarily these challenges pertain to efforts to censor materials, harass and discredit library professionals, and eliminate municipal funding at South Central Regional Library, we are aware that Winnipeg Public Library and other regional systems are being targeted by agitator interests.
News – Censorship in BC
Posted in Advocacy, and Intellectual Freedom
RCMP Confirms Censorship Attempts Were Unwarranted at BC School Libraries
CFLA/FCAB Press Release
14 March 2023, Canada
Libraries continue to defend students’ freedom to read in the face of increased censorship
tactics.
A recent RCMP investigation found that items in Chilliwack, BC school libraries – while they
may be deemed inappropriate or concerning to some people – do not contain child
pornography. The investigation was in response to a complaint from a member of a Canadian based group which is actively trying to have certain titles – primarily those with LGBTQA2S+
content – removed from libraries. Read the full press release here.
Winnipeg is falling behind in funding and staffing its libraries
Check out this news article in the Uniter about the urgent need for increased support at public libraries in Winnipeg as the new budget approaches. Our director of advocacy Richard Bee lends his voice to express concern about the need for arms length distance between the government and the library administration.
MLA is Hiring!
Posted in Uncategorized
The Manitoba Library Association is looking for a Program Coordinator. The position description can be found below and the deadline for applications is March 20th, 2023. We are excited to hear from all of those interested in joining our organization!
Please be aware the deadline for proposals to the 2023 Manitoba Library Association’s Virtual Conference, May 18 & 19, 2023, has now been extended to February 21, 2023.
Proposals can be brought forward here.
Our call for virtual conference volunteers also continues to be open.
CFLA/FCAB’s Intellectual Freedom Committee is searching for THREE new members. We welcome nominations from CFLA/FCAB member associations and self-nominations from members of CFLA/FCAB member associations. Once appointed to the Committee, the responsibility of members is to the Committee, not to the nominating body.