CREDIT: JEN DOEDE
The Fanshawe library recently held two displays. One for Freedom to Read Week and the other for International Women's Day

The Fanshawe library recently adorned their display station over the past couple of weeks with books celebrating both Freedom to Read Week and International Women’s Day.

From Feb. 26 to March 2, the Fanshawe library celebrated Freedom to Read Week. According to the Freedom to Read Week’s official website, the annual event, created by the Freedom of Expression Committee of the Book and Periodical Council, is a way for Canadians to reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom.

Nicole Frey, the outreach specialist at the Fanshawe library, explained why the library participates in the annual event. “We want to celebrate our intellectual freedom and access to information as well as promote a democratic culture that respects an individual’s right to choose what to read,” Frey said. “We made the display for Freedom to Read Week as a way to show appreciation and commitment to our right to choose what we read and to promote a culture where students are encouraged to do so.”

The following are two books that were challenged in Canada that were on display at the Fanshawe library.

Daddy’s Roommate
According to freedomtoread.ca, at the Lethbridge Public Library in Alberta, a patron requested the removal of the book Daddy’s roommate, written by Michael Willhoite, due to homosexual themes. The children’s book features the story a young boy whose divorced father lives with his male partner. The library did not remove the book.

Lives of Girls and Women
According to freedomtoread.ca, in Peterborough, Ont., the book Lives of Girls and Women written by Alice Munro was challenged by a principal in 1976 to be removed from the grade 13 reading list at a high school. The novel features the life of a girl growing up in Ontario during the 1940s. The book was removed because of harsh languages and descriptive sexual scenes, the Globe and Mail reported.

From March 5 to 9, the Fanshawe library celebrated International Women’s Day with a book display featuring women who have made contributions to multiple areas such as science, art, sports, politics and business. In addition, the display featured books written by women as well as biographies regarding inspirational women.

Some of the books on display included: Ready Player Two: Women Gamers and Design Identity by Shira Chess, Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery, The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon, Helpless by Barbara Gowdy, a biography of Marie Curie by Marilyn Ogilvie, a biography of Rosa Parks by Joyce A. Hanson and more.

The movie Hidden Figures was also on display for interested students to borrow.