We’re Comfy Reading Banned Books
In honour of Freedom to Read Week, join us for a cozy all-ages read-in where we’ll be learning about and reading books that have been challenged. Pajamas are encouraged and snacks will be provided!
Freedom to Read Week Events
Every year, libraries, schools and community groups across Canada celebrate freedom of expression by organizing or participating in the Freedom to Read Week festivities. Browse events submitted by community members below!
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Freedom to Read: A Screening of The Librarians
Join us during Freedom to Read week for a screening of The Librarians, a documentary about book banning. Two hours of free parking at Citi Plaza is available. Pick up a parking voucher from the main desk at Central Library.
February 23, 2026
London, Ontario
Freedom to Read Panel and Banned Books Open Mic (New Venue)
Join us at the Kensington Legion this February during Freedom to Read Week 2026 where we will be joined by our featured panel guests Tracy Dawson, Uche Umezurike, and our moderator Rosemary Griebel to chat, followed by an audience open mic where we invite you to read from your favourite banned book! Books will also …
February 23, 2026
Calgary, Alberta
Analyser ensemble : l’importance du dialogue civil à l’ère des fractures / Talking to Each Other: The Importance of Civil Dialogue in an Era of Division
Bibliothèque et Archives Canada, en partenariat avec la Bibliothèque publique d’Ottawa, vous invite à souligner la Semaine de la liberté d’expression 2026. Cette initiative annuelle vise à sensibiliser le public aux enjeux liés à la censure tout en favorisant l’accès à la littérature et aux périodiques. Elle rassemble lecteurs, écrivains, éditeurs, institutions éducatives, bibliothèques, librairies, universités, …
February 24, 2026
Ottawa, Ontario
Breaking the Chain: Unlocking Library Programming Ideas in Support of Freedom to Read
How do you encourage readers to seek out banned books? There's more than one way, that's for sure! Freedom to Read Week encourages Canadians to think about and reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom. While there is an increasingly coordinated effort to remove books tackling a wide range of topics from shelves, libraries can put …
February 24, 2026
Toronto, Ontario
Meet Your Local Libraries!
In honour of Freedom to Read Week, Algonquin College's Pembroke Campus Library will be hosting representatives from libraries around Renfrew County, including the Pembroke, Petawawa, Bonnechere Union, Killaloe & District, Renfrew, and Whitewater Region Public Libraries, and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories. Reading matters, so stop by to meet our amazing guests and learn about their collections, …
February 24, 2026
Pembroke, Ontario
Thinking Out Loud Together: Why Civil Discourse Matters More Than Ever with Randy Boyagoda / Réfléchir collectivement à haute voix : Pourquoi le débat public est plus important que jamais avec Randy Boyagoda
Library and Archives Canada, in collaboration with Ottawa Public Library, invites you to mark Freedom to Read Week 2026. Freedom to Read Week is a national annual campaign that raises awareness about censorship and access to books and magazines, bringing together readers, writers, publishers, libraries, bookstores, schools, and other organizations across Canada. In this talk, writer …
February 25, 2026
Ottawa, Ontario
RPL Trivia at the Cure: Freedom to Read Week
Celebrate Freedom To Read Week with this trivia night at The Cure, presented by Regina Public Library. Put your knowledge of banned books and intellectual freedom to the test! Join as an individual or team. Participants can join as individuals or in teams up to five people. No pre-registration required but please arrive early as …
February 25, 2026
Regina, Saskatchewan
Freedom to Read Week: Film Screening and Discussion
Freedom to Read Week is an annual event that encourages Canadians to think about and reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom. Join us for a film screening of “The Librarians,” followed by a discussion about intellectual freedom in Canada. “The Librarians” explores the urgent moment we find ourselves in. As an unprecedented wave of book …
February 25, 2026
Ajax, Ontario
Book Bans and Beyond: Navigating Intellectual Freedom in the Digital Age
This panel explores how intellectual freedom is being challenged across research, public discourse, and digital environments, and what academic communities and information professionals can do in response. The discussion connects freedom to read with freedom to research, data integrity, privacy, and democratic participation. Panelists: Alison Macrina, Founder, Library Freedom Project Kristi Thompson, Research Data Management …