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Library and Archives Canada offers the Free Thinking Society to reschedule Iranium screening in February

For immediate release

Gatineau, January 19, 2011  -  Library and Archives Canada (LAC) today announced it will offer the Free Thinking Society an opportunity to reschedule the viewing of the documentary film Iranium at a later date in February. This follows yesterday’s decision to cancel the planned screening for security reasons.

LAC originally offered its auditorium free of charge to the Free Thinking Society to allow this non-profit organization to hold a film festival.

LAC received a number of threatening phone calls and suspicious envelopes a few hours before the event. As a result, LAC contacted the organizers at 4 p.m. to advise them of the closure of 395 Wellington for security reasons. This decision was made to ensure the security of LAC personnel, members of the public and Canada’s heritage collections housed at 395 Wellington. The decision to re-schedule will allow LAC to take the necessary security measures for the upcoming viewing over the next few weeks. Over the years, LAC has offered space, when available, at its 395 Wellington Street facility to a variety of non-profit organizations, cultural organizations and professional associations of librarians and archivists. LAC is currently reviewing the use of these spaces by non-governmental organizations.

Library and Archives Canada

The mandate of Library and Archives Canada is to preserve the documentary heritage of Canada for the benefit of present and future generations, and to be a source of enduring knowledge accessible to all, contributing to the cultural, social and economic advancement of Canada. In addition, Library and Archives Canada facilitates  cooperation among communities involved in the acquisition, preservation and diffusion of knowledge, and serves as the continuing memory of the government of Canada and its institutions.

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