Intellectual freedom continues to be an important and challenging area for libraries and library workers, and BCLA remains committed to supporting our members and the library community to advance intellectual freedom. BCLA recognizes that our members have a diversity of opinions on the application of intellectual freedom principles, and that there is a need for more learning, listening, and discussion as we strive to reflect the complexity of this value and how it manifests in our work.
Financial Support
Lois M. Bewley Intellectual Freedom, Education and Defense Fund
This fund assists with reasonable costs of educational programs, activities and services that promote understanding of intellectual freedom and freedom to read. It may assist in the defense of colleagues or other workers in the writing, publishing, distribution, or retail sectors who suffer from censorship attacks in the workplace. The fund is not intended to pay lawyers’ fees.
The Intellectual Freedom Fund (CLA)
This fund provides financial assistance in cases involving intellectual freedom for public libraries serving populations under 29,999, or libraries (for example, an academic library in a small college or university) that would encounter undue financial hardship when defending intellectual freedom. While the fund is administered by the Ontario Library Association, it provides assistance to libraries throughout Canada.
Read more about The Intellectual Freedom Fund (CLA) and how to apply.