Canadian Library Association / Association canadienne des
bibliothèques Position Statement on the Deliberate Destruction of
Libraries
Approved by Executive Council ~ September 16, 2007
Recalling CLA’s commitment to ensuring free universal
access to information and the important role of libraries in open and
democratic society;
Reaffirming CLA’s position that effective
advocacy is based upon understanding the social, cultural, political and
historical contexts in which libraries and information services
function; and
Mindful of the nation’s bill of rights and
Charter of Rights and Freedoms,
The Canadian Library Association strongly opposes the deliberate
destruction of libraries, their collections and property, and the loss
of access to education, culture and information resultant of such
destruction caused with hostile intention by individual or groups.
In addition, the Association, in applying this Resolution, recognizes
the need to respect international rules related to the criminalization
of uncivilized violations of human rights and international humanitarian
law, in particular, when intentional destruction of cultural heritage is
linked to those violations.
Background:
The firebombing of the United Talmud Torah grade school library in
Montreal, Quebec on April 5, 2004 brought our close attention to the
issue of intentional destruction of libraries here in Canada. With the
more recent news of the temporary closing of the Library and Archives of
Iraq in December 2006 and even more recent occupation of its building
for military purposes, we were reminded of the true precarious status of
libraries on the global stage. It is important for CLA to adopt a
statement on the intentional destruction of libraries. A precedent
resolution exists in ALA dating back to 1971i. As well, in
2003, UNESCO adopted its related international Declaration concerning
the Intentional Destruction of Cultural Heritage.
i Destruction of Libraries. The American Library
Association deplores the destruction of libraries, library collections
and property, and the disruption of the educational process by that act,
whether it be done by individuals or groups of individuals and whether
it be in the name of honest dissent, the desire to control or limit
thought or ideas, or for any other purpose. Adopted January 1971, by the
ALA Council; at the 1993 Midwinter Meeting, Council voted to reinsert
the policy into the ALA Policy Manual (Policy Monitoring Committee
Report to Council, January 1993).
