The Public Library - The Pivot of Democracy 1944

I received a very touching email yesterday from Christine Kujawa, the Director of the Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library in North Dakota:

“…This year marks our 100 year anniversary, and we've been going through archives and records. We came across annual reports written during WWII, and in July 1944, the Toronto Public Library director was quoted.

I thought you might like to read it. It's quite moving, and certainly still rings true over 70 years later.”

Charles Sanderson was Toronto Public Library’s Chief Librarian more than 80 years ago and his words about the importance of public libraries in supporting democracy, intellectual honesty and informed minds are more relevant than ever today.

Happy Freedom to Read Week, everyone!