In The News
Join us for 200 Meters
Sunday, June 2 • 1:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.
Statement from the BWG Library on May 7 2024
After listening deeply to concerns from the community about our Library’s decision in March to cancel the screening of the film “200 Meters,” and after receiving a professional opinion from The Centre for Free Expression, the Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library (BWG Library) has decided to move forward with free public screenings of the film on Sunday, June 2, in collaboration with the resident organizer.
The decision we made on March 11, 2024, to cancel the planned screening of “200 Meters” was difficult. The award-winning film explores the fictional life of a Palestinian father trying to get to his son, who has been hospitalized. The event had been organized in partnership with a local resident and was seeking to combat rising Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism.
In announcing the cancellation, the BWG Library stated we would work to find a solution that both honours the resident’s original programming intention, while ensuring all feel safe and welcome at this event.
“200 Meters,” which debuted in 2020 and has gone on to play at international festivals around the world, has won many awards, notably the Human Rights Jury Prize at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. It takes a nuanced and compassionate approach towards both Palestinian and Israeli individuals living in the present Israel-West Bank geopolitical dynamic.
After careful consideration, we have decided that the screening of the film is an ethical responsibility we have to the resident-organizer with whom we worked to program the film, and to the community members who have expressed interest in attending the screening. This is our obligation as a Public Library that upholds the values of free expression and prioritizes a community-led approach to our programming and vision.
The Ontario Library Association’s Statement of Intellectual Freedom asserts that: “Intellectual freedom requires freedom to critically examine and create other ideas, opinions, views, and philosophy of life, other than those currently approved by the local community or by society in general and including those ideas and interpretations which may be unconventional, uncommon, or unpopular.”
The two free public screenings of “200 Meters” will be at the BWG Library’s Zima Room on Sunday, June 2nd at 1:15 p.m. and at 3:15 p.m. This event will be in partnership with the resident organizer, and will be co-sponsored by the Centre for Free Expression, a non-partisan organization that works in collaboration with academic and civil society organizations across Canada and internationally.
We are sensitive to how this programming decision may affect residents with varying relationships to the ongoing and heightened conflict in Israel, Gaza, and beyond. When we announced the screening of the film, community members reached out fearing the event could potentially incite antisemitism and compromise feelings of safety on library premises.
We take these concerns seriously. The BWG Library has offered opportunities for partnership to Jewish residents and organizations over the last few months. Upon the releasing of this statement, we have reached out to these residents and organizations again as we hope to create space for the sharing of a variety of opinions, cultural expressions, and perspectives grounded in the lived reality of residents.
As a Library that takes a community-led approach to our programming, we urge community members who would like to co-organize free public events that promote cross cultural understanding to connect with us. We are a public institution that provides a gateway for all persons within our community to advance themselves through literacy, lifelong learning, social engagement, and cultural enrichment. We look forward to continuing to partner with a diversity of artistic, cultural, and religious groups and residents to ensure our space is one that promotes understanding through providing free access to ideas, opinions, resources, and experiences.
200 Meters Film Screening - Cancelled
Film Screening Cancelled
The Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library (BWGPL) takes a community-led approach to its programming. It seeks to support local groups and initiatives that promote cross-cultural understanding while providing a safe space for all. We are a public institution that provides a gateway for all persons within our community to advance themselves through literacy, lifelong learning, social engagement, and cultural enrichment.
A few months ago, Library staff were contacted by a resident who was interested in hosting an event intended to build understanding from a Palestinian perspective and help combat rising Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism. Library staff have since been working with the resident to coordinate a public film screening of “200 Meters,” which explores the life of a Palestinian father living in the West Bank. The screening was scheduled for March 17, 2024, at the BWGPL.
Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of participants and all library patrons, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the film screening. With further consultation and support from local community groups and organizations, the BWGPL will work to find a solution that both honours the resident's intention while ensuring all feel safe and welcome.
Empowered Expressions Art Exhibit
Youth Empowerment Collective
May 4 to 18
We are getting very excited to host the inaugural Empowered Expressions Art Exhibit organized by the Youth Empowerment Collective . This art exhibit will feature over fifty pieces of artwork from local children and youth in the Zima Room, and aligns with the first Youth Empowerment Day on May 4th 2024.
The exhibit opens to the public at 2:00 p.m. on May 4th, and will be on display in the Zima Room until May 18th 2024.
For more information visit https://youthempowermentcollective.ca/
Join the Flag Raising for Youth Empowerment Day at the BWG Leisure Centre at 11 am on Saturday, May 4.
BWG Library In The News
BWG Library reverses course, will screen film 200 Meters - BradfordToday, May 7, 2024
Juno-winning blues guitarist to BWG Library - BradfordToday, Jan. 22, 2024
Showcase of art by Black youth coming to Bradford - BradfordToday, Jan. 22, 2024
Chess Club continues at Library thanks to this Grade 9 student - BradfordToday, Jan. 3, 2024
Canvas for Change to 'uplift and spotlight' Bradford's Black youth - BradfordToday, Dec.13, 2023
Photo exhibit depicts war in Ukraine - CBC Radio, Dec. 2, 2023
Ukrainian photo exhibit making stop at BWG Library - BradfordToday, Nov. 29, 2023
Ukrainian Photo Exhibit at BWG Library - CTV News, Nov. 27, 2023
Canvas for Change Program with Making Change - Rogers TV, Nov. 20, 2023
Library's latest South Simcoe WWI veteran database released - BradfordToday, Nov. 8, 2023
Bradford Library hosting exhibit of photos depicting war in Ukraine - BradfordToday, Nov. 7, 2023
BWG Welcomes New Community Fridge - Town of BWG, Oct. 26, 2023
Digitized copies of historic newspapers now available through Bradford Library - BradfordToday, Oct. 26, 2023
Warm-hearted volunteer serves up empathy at Out of the Cold Café - BradfordToday, July 11, 2023
BWG Library expects 'extremely successful' Drag Queen Storytime - BradfordToday, June 2, 2023
WWI archival database available at Bradford Library - CTV News, April 30, 2023
Database on local veterans goes public at BWG library - BradfordToday, April 12, 2023
'Book Club Sets' available at BWG Library for local reading groups - BradfordToday, Feb. 5, 2022
No more late fines at BWG Library - BradfordToday, June 4, 2021
Five free things at the BWG Library - BradfordToday, May 15, 2021
Slow internet? The BWG Library can help! - BradfordToday, April 3, 2021