Alan Borovoy: Keynote Speaker
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Alan Borovoy: Keynote Speaker he keynote speaker at the Borovoy noted that opponents of opening session of APLA '90 free speech inevitably make use of a was Allan Borovoy, general small number of fallacious argu- counsel to the Civil Liberties Union ments when they mount their at- of Canada and author of When tacks. Freedoms Collide. One of these involves censorship Coming soon to a cinema near you .. Borovoy began his address, enti- on the grounds that a public ex- tled "Barriers to Knowledge", by pression is not "rational." have-nots (who are generally not prosecuting him. He would, how- pointing out that free speech "is not "Whoever said free speech has to skilled in this kind of forum) of the ever, encourage the educational au- and cannot be absolute." Inevitably be rational?" asked Borovoy. right to expression. thorities to consider whether Ross's there are some limitations. Citing a court case revolving A second fallacy is that context is extracurricular activities have influ- He stressed, however, that free around a Montreal parade that was not important. enced his curricular activities. speech "is the lifeblood of what a deemed "a demonstration, not free Refeningto theJim Keegstracase, If this were the case, then dis- democracy is all about." On a per- speech" because it was seen to be Borovoy said that he saw no conflict missal might well be appropriate sonal level, it is "the instrument by more "a show of force than a rational between, on the one hand, uphold- even while maintaining Ross's right which we enrich ourselves and oth- expression of ideas," Borovoy noted ing someone's freedom to express to free speech, on the grounds that a ers", while in the political arena it is that while pressure (in the form of himself, and, on the other hand, higher standard must be applied to "the vehicle by which we mobilize demonstrations, rallies, publicity, deciding that that person, because positions of public trust than is ap public opinion." etc.) without reason is irresponsible, he promotes such views, is not an plied to the right to stay out of jail. Speaking as a former union reasoned argument without pres- acceptable person to teach children. Borovoy also pointed out that -er,-Borovoysuggested that "free sure is futile and ineffective. The Malcolm Ross case, accord- laws addressing freedom of speech speech is thegrievanceprocedure of Confining freedom of speech to ing to Borovoy, is very similar. are invariably vague, making it dif- a democratic society." rational debate would deprive the Borovoy would be opposed to ficult to distinguish between de- structive hate and constructive ten- sion. He cited two cases in which laws egarding hate literature and Douglas Lochhead. propaganda were used to suppress freedom of speech. The first involved protestors carrying "Yankee Go APLA 1990 Merit Award Winner Home" placards at a Toronto Shriners' parade. The second, in an (Excerpts from the presentation speech Douglas' roots are firmly here in the "Atlantic Provinces Library ironic twist, involved the banning of delivered on May 12, 1990 by the Maritimes. Part of his childhood Association" of today. As well a bookabout Nelson Mandelaon the Gwendolyn Creelman, APLA Past- was spent here in New Brunswick, I during this period he was Joint grounds that it promoted hatred President) believe, and during his career he has Editor, with Shirley Elliot, of the against whites. returned twice. It was during his Atlantic Provinces Checklist, and was When laws are not too vague, t is my great pleasure this 1953-1960 term as University instrumental in the expansion of the they tend to be overbroad,according evening to present APLA's Librarian at Dalhousie University McDonald Library. to Borovoy. 1990 Merit Award to Dr. that Douglas served as President of It is withgreat pleasure that I ask An example of this was the leg- Douglas Grant Lochhead. APLA. According to our official Dr. Douglas Lochhead to accept the islationdefiningpornography as any Douglas Lochhead's contri- records Dr. Lochhead fulfilled this Merit Award. You are very visual material showing sexual in- butions to librarianship and role in 1958/59 during the time our deserving of this honour; Sir, and I tercourse "or any other sexual activ- bibliography are substantial and organization changed from 'the am very proud to make the ity." The definition of "other" could cover such a broad range they are "Maritime Library Association" to presentation. well have included anything from difficult to summarize. Ge is a-poet, hand-holding to kissing. The results scholar, bibliographer, teacher, of such legislation include the administrator and a tireless worker documentary Not A Love Story and for Canadian Studies. The the censorship of a book on male achievements of Douglas are many: masturbation which the University He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of of Manitoba Medical School was. Canada, Founding Librarian at trying to purchase. Massey College (University of Borovoy ended his talk with Toronto), winner in 1985 of the praise for librarians. Referring to the Marie Tremaine Medal of the Dec. 10 1987 closing of the Toronto Bibliographical Society of Canada Library Systemin a show of concern "for outstandin'g service to over Bill C-54, Borovoy called li- Canadian Bibliography and for brarians "the new allies of civil lib- distinguished publications in that erties." field", and Member of the Board of the Canadian Institute for Historical -Braad Burningham Micro-reproductions. He has just informed me that the shareholders See page 8 for of Fredericton's Gooselane's Douglas Lochhead's poem Editions have elected him Douglas Lochhead, APLA Merit Award winner, accepts the pewter goblet from Lessons of the Library President. Gwendolyn Creelman, Past-President. Pub!jc AriPives ~i1!3./a HALIFAX, N. S P "the book lover's bookstore" -$- l AUTHOR BREAKFASTS DESK &, .$ l SPECIAL ORDERS l SERVICES TO LIBRARIE he highlight of May was the question & answer\r column on very successful APLA coping strategies for how libraries SPRING GARDEN PLACE conference held in Moncton. can collect tax. Many positive comments were 5640 Spring Garden Road PTLAC (902)429 33 18 heard on the low cost of the Halifax. N.S. B3J 3M7 conference and the high quality of What an acronym! It stands for Provincial and Territorial Library the sessions-not to mention the banquet! Berthe Boudreau and Associations Council, and it is Susan Libby and the committees did comprised of the provincial/ territorial presidents. PTLAC was a great job of planning such a successful conference. Next year's formed in February, following conference will be in Comer Brook, CLA's decision to no longer keep from May 23 to 26. Please send your the provincial presidents on CLA I INDEX TO THE FINANCIAL POST 1907-1948 suggestions for sessions or speakers council. Our meeting at CLA in As Canada's foremost business paper during these years, the to Sue Sexty. She's planning the Ottawa was well attended, and we Financial Post is a key source for business and labour had a chance to exchange tips on programme. historians.Working under agrant from the Social Sciences successful conference planning and and Humanities Research Council, Gordon Adshead has Copyright attracting membershic, and we met prepared a cumulative index to the contents of the Financial CANCOPY continues to negotiate Post. This has just been published by Micromedia Limited. with CLA presidents for updates on All major articles and columns on significant Canadian and with several provincial departments what legislation and lobbying international political events are indexed. The lndex also of education and other institutions, efforts may be coming up next. covers stories providing biographical and career information, including libraries. Meanwhile, I am looking forward to my year including announcements of senior level appointments to APLA, CLA and ASTED, among as president. IYs an honour and a corporations, unions and business associations. others, continue the campaign for pleasure to be part of such an Anyone researching corporate events (including annual meetings and financial reports) and labour events (including copyright legislation which exciting association. conferences, strikes and contract settlements) will firAthn." &# #" provides a better balance between -Andrea John Index to the FinancialPost 1907-1948 Extremely valuiable. the needs of users and creators. Trade association activities, including lobbying. are 2llso However, Phase I1 may not be covered. - implemented for another two years. 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