The Intellectual Freedom Fund
As a registered charity, OLA received The Intellectual Freedom fund upon dissolution of the Canadian Library Association. The criteria for disbursement of this fund to eligible recipients was reviewed in consultation with the Canadian Federation of Library Associations.
Criteria/Eligibility
- Equitable access to library service to the public is at risk including the freedom to read, listen, view and create at the library.
- The need for the library to resist attempts to censor or curtail access to information, the freedom to read, view, listen or participate by demanding the removal of, or restrictions to library information sources in any format including events.
- To defend the library in instances where a claim or accusation has been made that speech or displays have been used in a way that is unlawful. This includes
the need to access this fund to determine if these instances are unlawful
Definitions
The Intellectual Freedom Fund is aligned with the Ontario Library Association Statement on Intellectual Freedom and the Intellectual Rights of the Individual. The introduction of the statement includes the following: ‘The Ontario Library Association and its divisions are committed to the fundamental rights of intellectual freedom, the freedom to read and freedom of the press, as embodied in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Ontario Libraries have the important responsibility to facilitate expressions of knowledge, creativity, ideas, and opinion, even when viewed as unconventional or unpopular.’
Application Procedure
The application form can be completed at
https://awards.accessola.com/intellectual-freedom-fund/
- Individual and organization name and contact
- Senior Leadership Contact/Signing Authority
- Population served
- Description of the specific situation that this fund is being used to support. This description should include how intellectual freedom is being challenged.
- Demonstrated need for funding
- Amount of funding requested
- Timeline for funding request
- Agreement to share an outcomes summary or report.
Selection Procedure
- Eligible proposals are received on an ongoing basis.
- The decision to approve applications and to disburse funds will take up to three weeks. Some exceptions may apply, and the process may take longer.
- The OLA executive director will convene an OLA selection committee of 3 – 5 representatives to include representation from the CFLA-FCAB Intellectual Freedom Committee, the OLA Board and/or the OLA Fund Development Committee.
- The committee will meet, review and assess the application according to the established rubric for this fund.
- The executive director or designate will: o notify applicants about the status of their application. o request a report from successful applicants upon the conclusion of their issue. o Include a summary in an OLA Fund Development Committee/Board report.
Award Procedure
- Upon approval, the funding proposal will be awarded to the applicant.
- The recipient will be required to submit a report on the use of the funds at the culmination of the defense.
History of this fund
The following motion was approved at the June 2016 OLA Board Meeting:
Motion to receive restricted charitable funds from CLA due to the dissolution and to be disbursed in accordance with CRA rules and regulations.
OLA received The Intellectual Freedom fund upon dissolution of the Canadian Library Association. The criteria for disbursement to eligible recipients was reviewed in consultation with the Canadian Federation of Library Associations.
Details of this fund were further revised for clarity and approved on June 14, 2023, by the OLA Fund Development Committee and the OLA Board.
