Ajax Public Library Board

Ajax Public Library Board Statement Condemning Anti-Black Racism

In response to the global Black Lives Matter anti-racism protests of recent weeks, the Ajax Public Library Board condemns any form of anti-Black racism and stands in solidarity with the Black community in the Town of Ajax. For too long, these residents, our neighbours, have been deeply hurt by microaggressions, racism, police brutality, and social injustice.

We condemn all forms of racism, white supremacy, and all systems of oppression which continue to deny these citizens the right to equitable treatment and justice in today's society. Recent events in the United States, and in Canada, have clearly demonstrated that Black members of our society are more frequently at risk of mistreatment by law enforcement agencies. We acknowledge that systemic and institutionalized racism exists in both our local and national communities and, as such, it can no longer be ignored and demands change.

As a public institution that supports the critical values of inclusion, equality and free speech, it is imperative that Ajax Public Library continues to hear and embrace the Black members of our community. We will continue to provide open, free, and equitable access to information that supports learning and understanding.

We will strive to replace ignorance with knowledge, intolerance with compassion, and inequity with justice within our community. We accept the shared civic, social, and moral responsibility to do what we must to eradicate systemic racism towards Black people through transparent accountability and quantifiable action. As the Library’s governing body, we commit to regular and recurring consultations with the Black community to inform our generative thinking and policy development.

During these emotional and difficult times, we shall not shy away from difficult conversations or uncomfortable dialogue. We will ensure that Ajax Public Library provides opportunities for intellectual freedom and civic discord.  Most of all, we will listen. No rewarding conversation can exist without genuine understanding and true compassion.

Additionally, the Ajax Public Library Board fully endorses the Canadian Urban Libraries Council's statement on Race and Social Equity. 

Intellectual Freedom

In affirming its commitment to the fundamental rights of intellectual freedom as embodied in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms the Ajax Public Library Board ensures that Library staff adhere to the principles of the Ontario Library Association’s Statement on the Intellectual Rights of the Individual while developing Library services, policies and practices. These principles maintain:

• That the provision of Library service to the public is based upon the right of the citizen, under the protection of the law, to judge individually on questions of politics, religion and morality.
• That intellectual freedom requires freedom to examine other ideas and other interpretations of life than those currently approved by the local community or by society in general, and including those ideas and interpretations which may be unconventional or unpopular.
• That freedom of expression includes freedom for a creator to depict what is ugly, shocking, and unedifying in life.
• That free traffic in ideas and opinions is essential to the health and growth of a free society and that the freedom to read, listen, and view is fundamental to such free traffic.
• That it is the responsibility of libraries to maintain the right of intellectual freedom and to implement it consistently in the selection of books, periodicals, films, recordings, other materials, and in the provision of access to electronic sources of information, including access to the internet.
• That it is therefore part of the Library's service to its public to resist any attempt by any individual or group within the community it serves to abrogate or curtail access to information, the freedom to read, view, and listen by demanding the removal of, or restrictions to Library information sources in any format.
• That it is equally part of the Library's responsibility to its public to ensure that its selection of material is not unduly influenced by the personal opinions of the selectors, but determined by the application of generally accepted standards of accuracy, style and presentation.

Ajax Public Library Strategic Master Plan 2023 - 2028

The Library Strategic Master Plan guides decisions of the Library Board and Library Staff. It revitalizes our Vision and Mission, states our core values, and provides a set of Actions to address priorities for Library space and services.

Ajax Public Library Position Statement on Children and Teen Rights in the Library

Ajax Public Library welcomes and encourages children and youth of all ages to enjoy Library services, programs, collections, and spaces. See Ajax Public Library Board's position statement on Children and Teen Rights in the Library, endorsing the Ontario Public Library Association (OLA) statements on children's and teen's rights.