For the past sixteen years, Calgary has been a leader in recognizing and celebrating Freedom to Read Week in Canada. Each year, Calgary readers, writers, librarians, teachers, publishers, and booksellers have held events to celebrate freedom to read. Freedom to read is essential in a democracy, and must be defended.

The Mayor has declared February 21-27 to be Freedom to Read Week. The Freedom to Read Week Committee will present Calgary's Official Book of Freedom to Read Week to City Council at 9:30 a.m., on Monday, February 22. This year, the Official Book is And Tango Makes Three, by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson, illustrated by Henry Cole (Simon and Schuster, 2005).

The 2010 Calgary Freedom of Expression Award will be presented to staff and volunteers of the Calgary Public Library, for their work to ensure that Calgarians have the opportunity to exercise their freedom to read. This not only includes selecting books and other resources that meet the needs of a diverse community, but also implementing policies that protect freedom to read.

No one individual in the library system accomplishes this alone. The Board determines the policies. Librarians, other staff, and volunteers implement those policies day-by-day as they work with library members. (The Board is a volunteer board.)

This year's Celebration of Freedom to Read Week will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 25, 2010 at Owl's Nest Books, 815 49th Ave. S.W. Admission is free.

At that event, in addition to the presentation of the Freedom of Expression Award, the winners of the Calgary Freedom to Read Essay Contest will also be honoured. The contest, which is sponsored by the Calgary Public Library, is open to junior high school students in the Calgary area.

Many library branches and bookstores will participate in Freedom to Read Week by creating displays of banned and challenged books, and other activities. The Writers Guild of Alberta and Wordfest will hold a Freedom to Read Week event on Thursday, February 25, 7 pm, at the Auburn Saloon (163-115 9 Ave SE), featuring author Todd Babiak.

All Calgarians are encouraged to take part in the week-long observance by reading a challenged book, visiting a library or bookstore, or holding or attending an event.