Kingston Frontenac Public Library recognizes Freedom to Read Week

By Christena Lawrie, CFRC's Broadcast Journalist and Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.

The Kingston Frontenac Public Library (KFPL) is in the midst of celebrating Freedom to Read Week, highlighting various challenged and banned books in the name of intellectual freedom.

Founded in 1984, Freedom to Read Week is a national event promoting awareness around censorship and the value of intellectual freedom. 

KFPL has been encouraging readers to dive into this topic with a banned book reading challenge this month, and will be hosting a banned book Read-a-Thon on Friday. Notable guests that will be reading include Mayor Bryan Paterson, drag queen Rowena Whey, and Councillor Brandon Tozzo. 

Chief Librarian Laura Carter stated in an interview with CFRC, “I think particularly what we’re seeing politically around the world right now, I think when we get complacent, then we’re in a dangerous position. So we really want to remind people how important it is to safeguard these rights.”

Listen to the full story here.