All persons in Canada have the fundamental right, as
                        embodied in the nation's Bill of Rights and the Canadian
                        Charter of Rights and Freedoms, to have access to all
                        expressions of knowledge, creativity and intellectual activity,
                        and to express their thoughts publicly. This right to intellectual
                        freedom, under the law, is essential to the health and
                        development of Canadian society.

                        Libraries have a basic responsibility for the development and
                        maintenance of intellectual freedom.

                        It is the responsibility of libraries to guarantee and facilitate
                        access to all expressions of knowledge and intellectual
                        activity, including those which some elements of society may
                        consider to be unconventional, unpopular or unacceptable. To
                        this end, libraries shall acquire and make available the widest
                        variety of materials.

                        It is the responsibility of libraries to guarantee the right of free
                        expression by making available all the library's public facilities
                        and services to all individuals and groups who need them.

                        Libraries should resist all efforts to limit the exercise of these
                        responsibilities while recognizing the right of criticism by
                        individuals and groups.

                        Both employees and employers in libraries have a duty, in
                        addition to their institutional responsibilities, to uphold these
                        principles.