Amid the recent controversy surrounding a London high school’s decision to remove thousands of books from its library, some archivists and librarians are emphasizing the importance of preserving old and outdated books.
Reported by the London Free Press, H.B. Beal Secondary School discarded over 10,000 books from its shelves between January and March last year.
Former Beal librarian Larry Farquharson, who chose not to participate in the book removal process and has since retired, expressed concerns about the impact on individuals’ freedom to select reading material. According to Farquharson, the removal of books without choice limits people’s access to diverse perspectives.
LISTEN: Discover the reasons behind the removal of 10,000 books at the London high school.
Around 10,000 books were eliminated from Beal Secondary School’s library last year, leading to the resignation of long-serving teacher and librarian Larry Farquharson. He discussed his stance on the mass removal of books on London Morning.
The Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) explained that the library review at H.B. Beal was part of a broader initiative to create more inclusive libraries. Books were removed based on factors such as age, condition, circulation rates, and content considerations, including outdated or offensive materials.
Contrary to claims of censorship, the TVDSB clarified that the removed books were not banned but instead withdrawn due to various reasons, including availability of newer editions or more appropriate resources.
In response to the backlash, Ontario’s Ministry of Education announced a temporary halt to further school library reviews. The decision to pause the reviews was prompted by concerns raised about the book removal process at Beal Secondary School.
Former Education Minister Stephen Lecce had previously introduced a provincial directive in 2023 to discontinue the practice of book weeding in schools.
How are outdated books handled by other libraries?
While the TVDSB confirmed that the books from Beal were recycled, some librarians suggest alternative ways to preserve old books, especially those with historical value. Deborah Meert-Williston, a special collections librarian at Western University, highlighted options such as donating books to academic institutions, museums, or charitable organizations.
