Free speech and hate speech
Can we open our doors to all points of view and also say that our libraries are safe spaces? I think not.
Democracies need libraries
The American Library Association’s democracy statement reads, in part: “Democracies need libraries. An informed public constitutes the very foundation of a democracy; after all, democracies are about discourse—discourse among the people. ... It must ensure that citizens have the resources to develop the information literacy skills necessary to participate in the democratic process.” This might seem like some pretty big shoes to fill, but there is truth to it. Public libraries help us stay informed and keep us kind.
Unpacking offence and harm
“Offence and harm” is one of our core editorial principles and it may be problematic as many of us may not fully understand either the legal definition and implications of this concept.
Political correctness and society—have we really gone mad?
It seems entirely proper that people about whom the words are used can also have a say in how they like to be described and referred to.
Editorial guidelines: A statement of principles
A lack of editorial guidelines is problematic, particularly when making decisions as to whether a given article should be published or not (i.e., censored).
What’s New in Open Shelf: February 5, 2018
In this, our first issue of 2018, we are thinking about relationships—between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, regulations in Canada and the U.S., and libraries…
Safe spaces: Library values in the cultural wars
Headlines today scream about highly charged debates in the sociological and cultural sphere: Whose voices need to be heard? How do we create equity?…