Étude qualitative sur les attitudes des bibliothécaires québécois vis-à-vis la liberté intellectuelle et la censure
The objective of this qualitative study is to understand the attitudes of Quebec librarians with respect to intellectual freedom and censorship in the public library arena. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 11 librarians, including six directors. These staff were involved in varying degrees in the development process of their library collections and/or in the management of challenges. Their comments were subjected to a rigorous thematic analysis. Similar to previous studies which have focused on this topic, this research showcases the difference between participants’ attitudes regarding intellectual freedom as a concept, and intellectual freedom as an activity. In other words, the participants were in favor of freedom of expression, while at the same time being supportive, under certain circumstances, of restrictive measures. The analysis of the results shows that librarians, while proponents of intellectual freedom, serve primarly as guardians of societal consensus, continually drawing and redrawing the boundary between individual values and societal values. This research ultimately shows that Quebec librarians are less actively engaged than their Canadian and U.S. counterparts in efforts to defend and promote intellectual freedom. Analysis of the data leads to the hypothesis that this weak commitment is intimately related to cultural variables unique to Quebec. The contemporary absence of religious pressure groups and the tardy development of public libraries in Quebec have in fact been identified as two factors tied to the history of the province influencing the professional work environment and the behavior of librarians in the struggle for the defense and promotion of intellectual freedom.
Attitude Québec (Province) Intellectual freedom Censorship Public library Librarian Quebec (Province)