News & Updates

CRKN has been expanding access to Canadian documentary heritage since 2018.  In collaboration with their members and partners, they make over 60 million pages of digitized heritage content available free of charge in the Canadiana collections. To preserve these valuable materials, they operate the CRKN Trustworthy Digital Repository, certified infrastructure that ensures the long-term security and…

As book bans continue to surge in the U.S., Ontario librarians are preparing for similar challenges at home. A recent study by the Canadian Federation of Library Associations found that nearly half of book challenges in Canadian libraries last year targeted 2SLGBTQ+ content—up from just 10% in 2019. Librarians across the country are using Freedom…

We have received our first response back from the NDP Party to our survey, asking parties and candidates if they support public library priorities and budget requests. We will be publishing the surveys as they are received from the parties. Election Survey - Ontario Library Association Federation of Ontario Public Libraries- NDP Responses

MEDIA RELEASE Election 2025: Ontario’s Public Libraries Urge All Parties to Support Public Libraries and Empower Local Communities ______________________________________________________________________ MEAFORD, ON – As the Ontario provincial election campaign enters its second half, the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries is urging all political parties and candidates to demonstrate and pledge their support for public libraries in…

Ontario’s snap election has us all reeling so FOPL and OLA have partnered to help take the stress off, at least when it comes to libraries. The Elections Toolkit has been revised so that IF you have the opportunity to engage with your local candidates, you have some items in your back pocket to fall…

Hope you’re all keeping warm during this cold snap! We’ve been busy over at FOPL and I have a few updates to share. This week we submitted our Pre-Budget Submission for the 2025-26 budget cycle to the Ministry of Finance (here). The document highlights the need for increased funding and support for public libraries through…

A shadow war is unfolding in Canadian communities, targeting libraries and 2SLGBTQ+ books. In Valleyview, Alberta, local youth and advocates, like Theo Robertson, are fighting to protect safe spaces in their library amidst political opposition. As book challenges and censorship rise across Canada, fueled by misinformation, communities like Valleyview are divided over 2SLGBTQ+ representation. The…

This new study explores the advocacy efforts of three key national library associations: the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL), the Canadian Urban Libraries Council (CULC), and the Canadian Federation of Library Associations (CFLA). From copyright reform to funding issues, these organizations are shaping the future of libraries and their vital role in society.  …

2024 was a pivotal year for Canadian libraries, as they faced growing challenges in intellectual freedom, censorship, and community engagement. From book bans to international advocacy events, libraries have become central to cultural conversations. Looking ahead to 2025, fostering freedom of expression and inclusive access to information will remain key priorities for libraries as they…

The year 2023 was another record-breaker for book bans. The American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) documented1,247 attempts to censor library books and other materials—most of which were works by or about people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, or both. Since these attempts often target multiple items, OIF recorded 4,240…

October is Canadian Library Month! During the month, libraries and library partners across Canada raise awareness of libraries’ valuable role in the lives of people in Canada. In Ontario, the first week of October features First Nations Public Library Week (October 1-4), and the third week of October is Ontario Public Library Week (October 20-26). If the third week…

The Canadian Federation of Library Associations’ Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC) is seeking nominations for its Intellectual Freedom Award, intended to recognize those Canadian libraries, individuals or library-related organizations that have best upheld and defended the principle of intellectual freedom in 2023. By Intellectual Freedom the CFLA refers to the belief that all persons in Canada…