Guaranteed as a basic democratic right by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and defined as a universal right by the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, intellectual freedom is a crucial pillar of a truly democratic society. As democratic public organizations that are widely accessible and committed to equity, public libraries play a vital role in promoting, safeguarding and upholding intellectual freedom. 

Defined by the Kingston Frontenac Public Library (“the Library”) as the open exchange of information and ideas, intellectual freedom applies to all aspects of library service, including collections, programs, displays, meeting room rentals, and internet access.

The Library celebrates diversity and supports equity and inclusion by welcoming everyone, without judgement, to pursue their interests at the Library, provided they do not violate the Library Use and Conduct Policy, the Ontario Human Rights Code, or Canada's Criminal Code.

The Kingston Frontenac Public Library is committed to:

• Supporting, defending and promoting the principles of intellectual freedom and freedom of expression.
• Safeguarding and defending everyone’s privacy and dignity, affirming the right of the individual to decide what they choose to read, view, or listen to, and to determine which services they wish to access.
• Providing access to a breadth and depth of ideas, information and thoughts that encourage informed discussions, boundary-spanning connections, and learning in our communities.

The Kingston Frontenac Public Library endorses the CFLA Statement on Intellectual Freedom and Libraries and the OLA Statement on Intellectual Freedom and the Intellectual Rights of the Individual.