For the past few years, South Central Regional Library has been in the spotlight, both locally and nationally, amidst questions about what content is appropriate for a public library to offer.  

To acknowledge its navigation of a difficult period, the Manitoba Library Association has awarded the SCRL the inaugural Human Rights Book Award. The award, which was created this year alongside the Association of Manitoba Book Publishers (AMBP), is in recognition of a nominee’s “strong resolve in upholding human rights, inclusivity and equity in library access for their library or in the library community at a local, regional, provincial, or national level.” 

Cathy Ching, Director of Library Services at the SCRL, is touched by the gesture. 

“[The Manitoba Library Association] recognize[s] that we value intellectual freedom and the right for people to choose,” says Ching.  

Ching admits that the past few years have taken a toll on the SCRL. 
 
"We felt at times . . . that we were on a ship being pushed out to sea, and we weren't sure who to turn to or who was going to help us. We knew that our board was behind us for the most part, and the staff were, but it was a battle.” 

According to Ching, the library’s rough patch has been troubling to many; from local readers and community members who use library services to residents of Manitoba and beyond, many communities have felt its impact. Against this backdrop, the SCRL has used its experience to educate and inform others who have encountered or may encounter similar terrain.  

“[I] took my group of administrators to a workshop in Portage la Prairie . . . along with a couple of other libraries who had other challenges regarding censorship and discrimination. We talked about how what seemed like a simple book challenge morphed into a hijack of our lives. We talked about how things can happen so quickly, and to be prepared, and [to] have your policy [in place].” 

Ching also went with Gail Hildebrand (the Branch Administrator of Morden Library) to speak to a class at the University of Winnipeg about human rights.  

“I think it was an eye-opener for a lot of people because this is [considered] ‘a big city problem.’ No, it isn't. It can be anywhere, and we just need to be vigilant that we don't let things run away on us.” 

Ching is satisfied with the library’s response under the pressure of controversy.  

“The Canadian Library Association’s statement on intellectual freedom clearly states that no one should have the right to choose for someone else. The whole premise that we could stand firm and not have anyone take away something they felt was not appropriate for someone else is just a win. It just gives us pride in the fact that we are doing what we were meant to do, and I don't think until this happened, I really understood that.” 

In the wake of the library’s resolve to uphold its policies despite strife, Ching considers the Human Rights Book Award fitting closure.  

“[This award] and recognition was the icing on the cake. I was shocked because we just did what we were doing . . . . [We] never realized there'd be anything come of it, because that's not why we did it. We did it so that our patrons could come in and choose or not choose.” 

Ching says that she does know what the book prize that accompanies the reward will be, but that “[i]t will be of high value and interest no matter what.”  

These days, the SCRL is back to focusing on its books, its collections, and its patrons.  

“I don't know if people understand how amazing South Central is, because we are the second largest rural library system in Manitoba,” says Ching. “We have major influence in the province . . . . We're vibrant, and that old saying that libraries are going to go the way of the dinosaur is not true.” 

Ching says that the library’s summer reading program is just around the corner, which drew over 1500 children last year. South Central Regional Library has branches in Altona, Manitou, Miami, Morden, and Winkler. 

“[O]ur libraries aren’t quiet anymore. People come in and we can hear them say, ‘shh’. The librarian [says] ‘no, don't worry about it’. That's not us anymore. We are a community space, and we want everybody to feel they have a place here.” 

Ching thanks the Manitoba Library Association for the Human Rights Book Award and is also grateful to the individual who nominated South Central Regional Library.  

~With files from Robyn Wiebe~