Timeline: The Board Firing of Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library CEO Cathy Simpson
Controversial case highlights debate in librarianship over the nature of institutional neutrality.
On March 21st, 2024 the Board of Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library fired the Library’s CEO Cathy Simpson, following some negative reaction to an op-ed she had published in a local newspaper. Her opinion piece challenging the conventional narrative surrounding “Freedom to Read Week,” namely the tendency of librarians to highlight in these campaigns only those books challenged by voices on the conservative/right end of the political spectrum, but not those titles disfavoured by the progressive left (e.g., Irreversible Damage by Abigail Shrier). The case has since gained international attention, so I thought it worthwhile to set out the chain of events, which will be updated as needed.
Feb 19, 2024: CEO Cathy Simpson in consultation with members of FAIR in Libraries (Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism) publishes op-ed on the FAIR Substack, “The freedom to read isn’t just about resisting book bans. Resisting ideological conformity matters too.” (Full disclosure: I’m a member of FAIR in Libraries and commented on the draft prior to publication).
Feb 21: Simpson adapts FAIR Substack op-ed for The Lake Report where it’s published to mark Freedom to Read Week, “Opinion: Censorship and what we are allowed to read,”.
Feb 28: Letter sent by local resident Matthew French to town council, Library Board and local paper, stating Simpson’s column “espoused right wing talking points.”
Feb 29: Library staff members submit statement criticizing Simpson to Library Board.
Mar 5: Simpson put on administrative leave.
Mar 8: Simpson put on indefinite leave.
Mar 13: Niagara Now publishes letter to editor by Anthony Powell in support of Simpson, “Chief librarian deserves to be commended”
Mar 13: Regular library board meeting moved to community centre due to large number of observers and speakers registered. Four speakers address controversy including French. Three other speakers support Simpson; Nicole Wiens, Anthony Powell and Andrew Porteus.
Mar 15: Simpson required to present Library Board with “plan to regain trust of community.”
Mar 15: Meeting reported in Niagara This Week.
Mar 19: Simpson's proposed plan rejected; Simpson fired.
March 21st: U.S.-based conservative media outlet HotAir.com posts David Strom op-ed, “Canadian Librarian Fired for Arguing That Libraries Should Be Ideologically Neutral.”
Mar 22: Firing reported in Niagara This Week
Mar 21: FAIR Executive Director Monica Harris posts to X in defense of Simpson.
Mar 21: Journalist Jonathan Kay weighs in on X.
March 22: American organization jumps to NOTL librarian Cathy Simpson's defence Niagara-On-The-Lake Local Penny Coles
Mar 23: Harris publishes op-ed in the national Canadian newspaper National Post, “Monica Harris: The unjust firing of Ontario librarian who challenged DEI orthodoxy,” defending Simpson and FAIR from French’s accusations.
March 26th: Canadian Catholic news site LifeSite runs piece, “Ontario librarian fired for objecting to ‘hidden’ censorship of conservative books.”
March 27th: Simpson’s case is covered on the Canadian Constitutional Foundation podcast (discussion starts at approximately the 25 minute mark).
March 27th: Richard Hutton from Niagara Now interviews FAIR Executive Director Monica Harris, “‘Misinformation’ led to librarian’s firing, U.S. organization says.”
March 27th: Case covered by FAIR News Weekly podcast (on Spotify).
March 27th: Letters to Editor, Niagara Now:
Letter: Agree with firing but who are library board members? by NOTL resident Elizabeth Masson
Letter: Modern literature is a morality-free zone, by St. David’s resident Joost Vandelinde
Letter: Simpson's column viewpoint was valid, by NOTL resident Kevin Leicht
Letter: Board was wrong to fire librarian, by NOTL resident Anthony Powell
Letter: Library board should have supported Simpson, by Murray McCabe, Retired chief librarian, Hamilton.
Letter: A weak argument for dismissing Simpson , by NOTL resident Patrick Wilson
Letter: Shouldn't libraries have a balanced collection? published in Niagara Now, by NOTL resident Lara Davidson
Letter: Shocked to read of librarian's firing published in Niagara Now, by Toronto resident George Dunbar
March 28th: Niagara Now Editorial: A crisis at the NOTL Public Library by journalist Kevin MacLean
March 28th: FAIR staff post their support as a “FAIR News” item, “A Call for Intellectual Freedom and Library Neutrality.”
March 28th: The recently-formed Association of Library Professionals (ALP) publishes an open letter to the NOTL Board defending Simpson and calling on the Board to reconsider their decision.
March 28th: The Hamilton Spectator publishes article, “Strong reactions to firing of NOTL library's Cathy Simpson” excerpting letters to newspapers and social media posts denouncing the NOTL Board and defending Simpson.
April 1st: “A Defense of Cathy Simpson: Freedom to Read Week Vs. Freedom to Read What We Decide You Should Read Week,” FAIR Alberta.
April 2nd: FAIR posts video podcast on X defending Simpson and the reputation of FAIR.
April 2nd: A Call for Intellectual Freedom FAIRNEWS and Library Neutrality
April 3rd: Niagara Now reports on ALP’s open letter in defence of Simpson.
April 13th: Le Devoir: “Ce que nous dit l’affaire Cathy Simpson.”
April 19: Niagara Now: NOTL library board remains tightlipped about firing of CEO Cathy Simpson, formally appoints new interim chief (Richard Hutton)
April 24: Niagara Now: Petition calls on NOTL board to guarantee library neutrality (Richard Hutton); includes a link to the petition.
April 24th: Letter: Public supports library, but not the board, Niagara Now.
April 24th: Editorial: On service in the public interest, op-ed, Niagara Now.
April 25th: Mathew Giagnorio: Why an Ontario chief librarian was fired for her thought crimes.
May 8th: “Town rejects library neutrality group's bid to address council” Niagara Now.
May 14th: Special NOTL Town Council Meeting on the matter (recorded livestream).
May 15 'This all smells:' Advocate wants integrity probe into librarian's firing in Niagara Now by Journalist Julia Sacco
May 15 Letter: On council salary raise and library neutrality by NOTL resident Samuel Young.
May 22: “Niagara-on-the-Lake councillors reject request for investigation into library CEO firing.” The Standard.
May 22: “Library neutrality group filing integrity complaint.” Niagara Now.
May 23: “Group supports library neutrality and integrity investigation.” (Text of presentation by NOTL resident Tony Powell, as published on p. 14 of The Lake Report [PDF])
June 5th: “NOTL looking looking to replace library board member who resigned,” Niagara-on-the-Lake Local.
June 23rd: “Niagara-on-the-Lake Library board ‘not fighting back’ against criticism: chair Daryl Novak.” NiagaraThisWeek.com.
June 26th: “Residents want library board to commit to neutrality.” Niagara Now.
July 3rd: “Letter: Outrage against NOTL librarian based on false premise.” Niagara Now.
July 10th: “Letter: Board acted appropriately in firing chief librarian.” Niagara Now.
July 13th: “Fired for an Opinion: How a librarian’s Dismissal Landed a Tourist Town in the Middle of a Culture War.” The Pointer.’
July 26th: Video: “S4 Bonus | The Free Public Library in a New McCarthy Era.” (Discussion of case starts at approx. 33 minute mark).
September 13th: FAIR News: Championing Viewpoint Diversity and Women's Safety (announces that Cathy Simpson will be the first recipient of a grant in the amount of $5,000 from FAIR’s Library Neutrality Fund).
October 9th, 2024: “Integrity commissioner complaint filed against NOTL Library Board.” The Pointer.
January 8th, 2025: Cathy Simpson named as one of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s “Top Newsmakers of 2024.” Niagara Now.
January 8th, 2025: The Simpson case listed among the “Biggest Issue” facing Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara Now.
May 3rd, 2025: “With Laura Tait at the helm, library is thriving.” NOTL Local.
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Setting aside the argument of whether defense of viewpoint diversity is a "right wing" talking point, it doesn't seem fair (forgive the pun) to fire someone over "right wing" talking points if "left wing" talking points don't receive similar scrutiny (that is, librarians would have to be fired for espousing any ideological viewpoints at all under this idea).
I had not heard about this -- what a horrorshow. Hopefully citizens of Niagara on the Lake will be up in arms about this? Fired "effective immediately" is obviously punitive and retaliatory -- this throws the competence of the board chair, Daryl Novak, into question.