The Library and Information Association New Zealand Aotearoa (LIANZA) says libraries are looking forward to this year’s local Pride month celebrations, despite disruptions to some activities last year.
“Our communities have told us they want their libraries to continue welcoming and reflecting diverse groups – so it’s business as usual for libraries running inclusive events for all parts of our communities,” says LIANZA executive director, Laura Marshall.
Visited more than 28 million times a year – libraries are active in providing inclusive events, activities and programmes every day for communities throughout New Zealand, she said.
“Last year, a small number of Pride events were targeted by Destiny Church. However, their actions were not supported by local communities or the wider public.”
“Policies, practices and guidelines are in place to help libraries achieve this and they have health and safety guidelines in place to keep staff and library users safe.”
In 2024, LIANZA developed a freedom-to-read toolkit for libraries to help prepare for event challenges and respond appropriately.
“The Freedom to Read Toolkit includes a section on event management as well as collection policies, information on disinformation, human rights and classification law. Adding a challenges register was the latest addition to the toolkit,” said Ms Marshall.
The challenges register was set up as a reporting tool for New Zealand library staff to document challenges on content, programmes, books, and more. It provides LIANZA with data and evidence to support libraries in advocating for the freedom to read and in providing inclusive events and programmes for their communities.
MS Marshall says that most challenges received so far (71%) have been about books held by the library.
“Libraries endeavour to make all communities welcome and assert the right to visibly support and represent marginalised groups within their communities in safe environments,” she said.
“Libraries celebrate Aotearoa’s rainbow communities and endorse the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) Article 19 which states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”.
