Beyond Hope Library Conference

The Beyond Hope Library Conference is a biennial conference hosted by Prince George Public Library every odd year.  It serves libraries throughout the Province of British Columbia and particularly those library workers residing outside BC's Lower Mainland, or "Beyond Hope"!  

Libraries and intellectual freedom are increasingly under attack, from governments, from special interest groups, from all those who want to restrict our freedom to read.

If you're concerned about the future of intellectual freedom in libraries and want to join the battle, Beyond Hope 2027 is the place to be:

Date: June 7-8, 2027

Location: Prince George, BC

Conference Theme: Let Us Read: Libraries in Times of Trouble -- Invoking the spirit of collective resistance and inclusive celebration of the 1970s, "Let Us Read" transforms the "it will all work out" optimism of the original Beatles anthem into a call to action and resistance. Libraries have to come together to celebrate their shared values and fight for the freedom to read! The conference planning team is working with representatives of the Centre for Free Expression at Toronto Metropolitan University to develop engaging and informative sessions.

Keynote Speaker: We are pleased to welcome Ivan Coyote to Prince George to deliver the keynote address. Ivan is a writer and storyteller, the author of thirteen books, the creator of four films, three albums, and an international touring performer. In 2017 Ivan was awarded an honorary PhD from Simon Fraser University. Ivan's 13th book, Care Of, was released in June 2021 by McClelland and Stewart.

Please check back here for updates as Beyond Hope 2027 approaches!