Over the past 10 months, the Intellectual Freedom Committee has been focused on gathering and analyzing feedback and input from the BC library community to inform the review and updating of the BCLA Intellectual Freedom statement.
We surveyed BCLA members and non-members and held 2 focus groups: one with library leaders and one with BCLA members who are involved in the leadership of BCLA sections, committees, and interest groups. We also sought input from the BC Teacher-Librarians’ Association about the unique experiences of teacher-librarians.
The Committee analyzed the information gathered through these processes and has been doing additional learning, both about intellectual freedom and about how to navigate and engage with different perspectives, including those that are in opposition to our own individual perspectives.
The Committee is sharing the results of that analysis with the BCLA Board this month, and the Board will provide guidance as we move into the final phase of drafting the updated wording for the statement. The Committee anticipates sending the proposed statement to the BCLA Board in early 2026 for approval.
Thank you to all those who shared your thoughts and experiences to support the process thus far. Your contributions have been central to our work in reviewing and revising the statement. We look forward to sharing the results with you in 2026.
With thanks,
Suzanne Rackover and Cristina Freire, BCLA Intellectual Freedom Committee Co-chairs