Censorship By Other Means

 BOOKS NOT BOUGHT
    This post will be shorter than most of mine since it is more serious. My contention is that some books may not be purchased by the  library near you for political reasons. That is hardly a startling statement. It is made more so if you consider this example.
    There is a book published in Canada, about Canada, and some currently contentious issues in Canadian history. It is not just off the press and there has been ample time to order a copy. Although today I could not access the Toronto Public Library, last September, 9 copies were available and there were 33 “holds.” Today, the Vancouver Public Library has 4 copies and 2 “holds” on them
    The book has not yet been ordered by the London Public Library. It is also the case that the book does not show up in the catalogue of the Western Libraries or in any other of the 15 or so Ontario University Libraries included in the Omni academic search tool. The reason the book  has not been ordered is likely found in the subtitle of the book and the irony should be obvious.

   Further evidence for why the book may be unappealing to some librarians is found in this description of the book taken from the Amazon website.

   "From assaults on historical figures such as John A. Macdonald to cancel culture and charges that Canada is a genocidal nation-state, the country that every generation and every immigrant built is now facing routine and corrosive attacks.

   How did this happen?

   In this new book, twenty critical thinkers provide answers: we are awash in relentless grievance narratives and utopians who expect Canada’s history to be perfect. The rise of critical theory, identity politics, and ideological politics in the education system also play a part. The authors challenge the naysayers and their caustic criticisms, but also offer a positive path forward. They show how truth-telling, informed history, and renewing a Canada where citizens reject divisions based on colour and gender, and instead unite around laudable, time-tested ideas will create a freer, flourishing Canada for all."

   Much more could be written about the purchasing decisions at the libraries and one hopes that much more is written about the arguments presented in the book. About the former I will say only that it is highly unlikely that The 1867 Project... was simply overlooked by so many libraries.  After all, the LPL, last year denied space for an author with views now found unacceptable (or perhaps ‘harmful’) and the Chief Librarian at the Niagara-on-the Lake Public Library was fired recently for suggesting  “viewpoints that don’t conform to progressive agendas are rarely represented in library collections and anyone who challenges this is labelled a bigot. But the tide is beginning to turn.”’

The tide may be turning. At least the NOTL Public Library purchased one copy.

Sources:
   The London Public Library refused to host the author Joanna Williams: "London Public Library Refuses to Rent Space to Event Featuring author of How Woke Won: The Society for Academic Freedom Will Host Joanna Williams at Hotel and University Instead," Rebecca Zandbergen, CBC News, May 18, 2023.   
   The unfortunate situation in NOTL has been widely covered. See, for example, "Niagara-on-the-Lake Board Fires CEO Cathy Simpson," Kevin Werner, Niagara-on-the-Lake Advance, March 22, 2024. For the "radical" views of the CEO see, "Opinion:Censorship and What We Are Allowed to Read," Cathy Simpson, special to The Lake Report, Feb. 21, 2024. She writes:
   "Public libraries should be home to many viewpoints, not just progressive ones....

This hidden library censorship takes two forms: the vigorous defence of books promoting diversity of identity, but little to no defence of books promoting diversity of viewpoint, and the purchase of books promoting “progressive” ideas over “traditional” ideas."
    Much of the commentary about The 1867 Project in the press is provided by those associated with the publication of it. There have been some reviews in the Postmedia universe. For example, "Finally, Resistance to the Woke Anti-Canada Narrative," Barbara Kay, Postmedia Breaking News, July 8, 2023 and, "Freedom Reigns in Canada: The 1867 Project Essays Expose Most of Mainstream Canadian Negativism As the Product of Twisted Ideologies and Misunderstandings," Terence Corcoran, National Post, July 1, 2023.

   The 1867 Project was edited by Michael Milke and produced by the Aristotle Foundation For Public Policy.