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Image for event: So That Democracy is Possible: Libraries & Civic Literacy

Registration now closed

So That Democracy is Possible: Libraries & Civic Literacy

Freedom to Read Week Panel

2025-02-27 19:00:00 2025-02-27 20:00:00 America/New_York So That Democracy is Possible: Libraries & Civic Literacy For Adults Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium

Thursday, February 27
7:00pm - 8:00pm

Add to Calendar 2025-02-27 19:00:00 2025-02-27 20:00:00 America/New_York So That Democracy is Possible: Libraries & Civic Literacy For Adults Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium

Main Library

James J. Brown Auditorium

For Adults

About the Event

In this panel in recognition of Freedom to Read Week, members of Waterloo Public Library, University of Waterloo Library, and Wilfred Laurier University Library will discuss the role that libraries play in fostering community wellbeing, and as safeguards of democracy through upholding a right to access information. How can libraries continue to cultivate this and other civic literacies? Join us to find out more, and ask our panelists questions of your own.

Freedom to Read Week takes place from February 23 to March 1 and is an annual event that encourages Canadians to think about and reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom.

As of 2024, Freedom to Read Week entered a new phase led by Library and Archives Canada, the Canadian Urban Libraries Council, and the Ontario Library Association in partnership with the Book and Periodical Council. For more information, visit the Freedom to Read website.

About the Speakers

Anneliese Eber is the research data management librarian at the University of Waterloo and has extensive experience in supporting researchers throughout the data lifecycle. With a background in anthropology and archaeology, Anneliese understands the challenges and nuances of data handling, storage and sharing. She specializes in guiding scholars on best practices for data organization, ethical management, and compliance with funder mandates. Passionate about empowering researchers and equitable access to data, Anneliese provides tailored resources, workshops, and consultations to foster a culture of responsible data stewardship and research data management.

Antonio Muñoz Gómez is the Cataloguing and metadata librarian at the University of Waterloo Libraries, and has also worked as the Digital scholarship librarian at the University. Antonio's work is strongly aligned with the principles of intellectual freedom and the right to access information. By organizing and describing resources, he ensures that diverse voices and perspectives are available to all library users, supporting the fundamental freedom to read. His interest in the ethical impacts of library work in areas ranging from resource description to the ethics of AI, underscores his commitment to maintaining ethical standards in information access and dissemination.

Meredith Fischer is the Laurier Library's Temporary Head of User and Access Services. She is also a librarian who is passionate about literacy and who works closely with students, faculty, and community members on a regular basis.

Alison Schroeder is the Manager, Lifelong Learning at Waterloo Public Library. In this role she oversees information services, staff training as well the libraries online resources. She has worked at libraries in Guelph, Milton, Kitchener and Barrie.


Photography Notice: Please note that photographs and video may be taken at this event and may be broadcast, reproduced and/or made available in print or online. For individual or small group photos, staff will make attendees aware of their presence and will ask permission before taking photos.

For larger public events, please note that by attending, you are consenting to the use of your appearance, image and voice in print or digital productions created by the Waterloo Public Library for promotional use only. Please speak to library staff at the event if you’d like to be excluded from any photo/video.

Programmer: Charlie

AGE GROUP: | Adults 19+ |

EVENT TYPE: | Special Events | Lifelong Learning | Guest Speakers |

TAGS: | Adult learning |

Main Library

Phone: 519-886-1310

Hours
Mon, Aug 18 9:30AM to 9:00PM
Tue, Aug 19 9:30AM to 9:00PM
Wed, Aug 20 9:30AM to 9:00PM
Thu, Aug 21 9:30AM to 9:00PM
Fri, Aug 22 9:30AM to 5:30PM
Sat, Aug 23 9:30AM to 5:30PM
Sun, Aug 24 Closed

About the branch

Located in the heart of Uptown Waterloo, the two-storey building features a separate children’s area, ample study space, the Ellis Little Local History Room and WPL’s largest collection of browsable materials.

Upcoming events

Mon, Aug 18, 10:00am - 11:00am
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
Registration is now closed

Mon, Aug 18, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
Registration is now closed

Mon, Aug 18, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
Registration is now closed

Mon, Aug 18, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 4 to 12 years old with a caregiver.

Mon, Aug 18, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
Registration is now closed

Tue, Aug 19, 10:30am - 12:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Older Adults

Tue, Aug 19, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 4 to 12 years old with a caregiver.

Tue, Aug 19, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Eastside Branch
For Families
This event is full

Tue, Aug 19, 6:00pm - 8:15pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Teens and Adults

Wed, Aug 20, 10:30am - 11:15am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 2 to 5 years old with a caregiver.
This event is full

Wed, Aug 20, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
This event is full

Wed, Aug 20, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Older Adults

Wed, Aug 20, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
This event is full

Wed, Aug 20, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For families with kids ages birth to 8 years old with a caregiver.

Wed, Aug 20, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For teens ages 17 to 19 years old.

Thu, Aug 21, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 4 to 12 years old with a caregiver.

Thu, Aug 21, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For kids ages 4 to 12 years old with a caregiver.

Thu, Aug 21, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
This event is full

Thu, Aug 21, 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Main Library
Everyone welcome

Thu, Aug 21, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
This event is full

Thu, Aug 21, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
Everyone is welcome

Sat, Aug 23, 10:00am - 11:00am
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
This event is full

Sat, Aug 23, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
This event is full

Mon, Aug 25, 10:30am - 11:15am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 3 to 5 years old with a caregiver.

Mon, Aug 25, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For babies ages 6 to 18 months with a caregiver.

Mon, Aug 25, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Adults

Tue, Aug 26, 10:30am - 12:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Older Adults

Tue, Aug 26, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Adults

Wed, Aug 27, 10:30am - 11:15am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 2 to 5 years old with a caregiver.
This event is full

Wed, Aug 27, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For tweens ages 8 to 12 years old.

Wed, Aug 27, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 7 to 10 years old.
This event is full

Wed, Aug 27, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For families with kids ages birth to 8 years old with a caregiver.

Thu, Aug 28, 10:45am - 11:30am
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For babies ages 0 to 12 months with a caregiver.
This event is full

Thu, Aug 28, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For teens ages 13 to 18 years old.

Thu, Aug 28, 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Main Library
Everyone welcome

Sat, Aug 30, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Families

Sat, Aug 30, 11:00am - 12:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Families
This event is full

Sat, Aug 30, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
McCormick Branch
For Families

Mon, Sep 01, All day
All library locations
All library locations CLOSED for Labour Day

Tue, Sep 02, 10:30am - 12:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Older Adults

Tue, Sep 02, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Adults

Tue, Sep 02, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For adults in their 20s and 30s.

Wed, Sep 03, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Older Adults
This event is full

Wed, Sep 03, 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Adults and Older Adults

Wed, Sep 03, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 7 to 10 years old.
This event is full

Wed, Sep 03, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For families with kids ages birth to 8 years old with a caregiver.

Thu, Sep 04, 10:45am - 11:30am
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For babies ages 0 to 12 months with a caregiver.
This event is full

Thu, Sep 04, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For tweens ages 8 to 12 years old.

Thu, Sep 04, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For teens ages 13 to 18 years old.

Sat, Sep 06, 10:30am - 11:15am
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 0 to 5 years old with a caregiver.

Sat, Sep 06, 10:30am - 11:30am
McCormick Branch
For families with kids ages 4 to 8 years old and their caregiver(s).

Sat, Sep 06, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Adults and Older Adults

Sat, Sep 06, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 8 to 12 years old.

Sat, Sep 06, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Families

Mon, Sep 08, 10:30am - 11:15am
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For kids ages birth to 5 years old with a caregiver.

Mon, Sep 08, 10:30am - 11:15am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 3 to 5 years old with a caregiver.

Mon, Sep 08, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
McCormick Branch
For Older Adults
Registration opens Monday, August 18 2025 at 7:00pm

Mon, Sep 08, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For kids ages 6 to 9 years old.
Registration opens Monday, August 18 2025 at 7:00pm

Mon, Sep 08, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Adults

Tue, Sep 09, 10:30am - 12:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Discovery Room
For Older Adults

Tue, Sep 09, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For teens ages 13 to 17 years old.
Registration opens Tuesday, August 19 2025 at 7:00pm

Wed, Sep 10, 10:00am - 11:30am
McCormick Branch
For Older Adults

Wed, Sep 10, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Older Adults
Registration opens Wednesday, August 20 2025 at 7:00pm

Wed, Sep 10, 2:30pm - 3:00pm
McCormick Branch
For babies ages 0 to 11 months with a caregiver.
Registration opens Wednesday, August 20 2025 at 7:00pm

Wed, Sep 10, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 7 to 10 years old.
This event is full

Wed, Sep 10, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Adults

Wed, Sep 10, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Adults
Registration opens Wednesday, August 20 2025 at 7:00pm

Thu, Sep 11, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For teens ages 13 to 18 years old.

Thu, Sep 11, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Adults
Registration opens Thursday, August 21 2025 at 7:00pm

Sat, Sep 13, 10:30am - 11:15am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For Families

Sat, Sep 13, 11:00am - 12:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Families
Registration opens Thursday, August 21 2025 at 7:00pm

Sat, Sep 13, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Fountain St (Waterloo) - Between Spring St W & Central St
Community Event - Everyone welcome

Sat, Sep 13, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
McCormick Branch
For teens ages 13 to 17 years old.
Registration opens Thursday, August 21 2025 at 7:00pm

Mon, Sep 15, 10:30am - 11:15am
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 2 to 5 years old with a caregiver.
Registration opens Monday, August 25 2025 at 9:00am

Mon, Sep 15, 10:30am - 11:15am
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For kids ages birth to 5 years old with a caregiver.

Mon, Sep 15, 10:30am - 11:15am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 3 to 5 years old with a caregiver.

Mon, Sep 15, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
McCormick Branch
For Older Adults
Registration opens Monday, August 18 2025 at 7:00pm

Mon, Sep 15, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For tweens ages 9 to 12 years old.
Registration opens Monday, August 25 2025 at 7:00pm

Mon, Sep 15, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 6 to 9 years old.
Registration opens Monday, August 25 2025 at 7:00pm

Mon, Sep 15, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Newcomers to Canada
Registration opens Monday, August 25 2025 at 7:00pm

Tue, Sep 16, 10:30am - 11:15am
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For kids ages birth to 5 years old with a caregiver.

Tue, Sep 16, 10:30am - 12:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Older Adults

Tue, Sep 16, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For adults in their 20s and 30s.
Registration opens Tuesday, August 26 2025 at 7:00pm

Tue, Sep 16, 6:30pm - 8:15pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Adults
Registration opens Tuesday, August 26 2025 at 7:00pm