S04E03 – Intellectual Freedom in Library Spaces

In October 2019, the Toronto Public Library rented a meeting room to a group called “Radical Feminists Unite!” who invited a trans-exclusionary radical feminist, Meghan Murphy, to speak. This raises heated discussions around library policies and the border line of freedom of expression in Canada.

In this episode, some Shouters had our own live panel discussion on this incident, intellectual freedom and the use of library spaces. As future librarians, we talked about the generational divide in interpreting freedom of expression, intellectual freedom in the context of libraries and in Canada, the core values of libraries, and how and why library policies are important in terms of integrating into communities.

We also have statements from several people who shared their thoughts with us: Matthew Stepanic, writer in residence at EPL and co-owner of Glass Bookshop; Parker Leflar, co-owner of the Quiltbag and a frequent library patron; and Colette Poitras, a Métis librarian.

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Links:

The intro music for this episode is "Been A Long Night" by Galcher Lustwerk from his new album "Information". galcherlustwerk.bandcamp.com/album/information

Gender Identity: What Does It Mean for Society, the Law, and Women — A talk by Meghan Murphy Oct 31 2019
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIzXSLFeAxQ
Text available here: donotlink.it/V1Ol7

Alvin Schrader's relevant piece from August:
cfe.ryerson.ca/blog/2019/08/can-…face-outrage-over

Postmedia where Alvin is quoted:
leaderpost.com/news/planned-even…8134-462befdad19e

Edmonton Public Library's room renting policies: www.epl.ca/board/#policies

Daniel Sarah Karasik on the harm caused by trans-phobic speech and the myth of neutrality:
briarpatchmagazine.com/blog/view/the…-public-space

Gwen Benaway was majorly involved with challenging the booking and went and spoke in front of the board: twitter.com/GwenBenaway/status/1186758587445579776
www.dailyxtra.com/meghan-murphy-to…hats-next-164045

Pilar Martinez:
CULC letter: http://www.culc.ca/cms_lib/CULC-CBUC%20Letter%20to%20CBC.pdf
The CBC interview in question: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-thursday-edition-1.5324424/i-m-not-going-to-reconsider-toronto-s-top-librarian-refuses-to-bar-speaker-critical-of-transgender-rights-1.5324431