IFLA/FAIFE
Intellectual Freedom Statements
Library & Information Association New Zealand Aotearoa (LIANZA)
http://www.lianza.org.nz/index.htm
Censorship in Libraries
Statement adopted by the Council of the New Zealand Library Association, May 15,
1980.
- Society creates libraries as institutions to store and make available knowledge,
information, and opinions and to facilitate the enjoyment of literature and the other
arts. Every library has a responsibility to provide its users with the widest range of
books and other library materials relevant to their requirements.
- Librarians have a responsibility to ensure that the selection and availability of
library materials is governed solely by professional considerations. In so doing, they
should neither promote nor suppress opinions and beliefs expressed in the materials with
which they deal.
- No library materials should be excluded from libraries because of the race, nationality,
or political, social, moral, or religious views of their authors.
- No library materials should be censored, restricted or removed from libraries because of
partisan or doctrinal disapproval or pressure.
- Librarians should resist all attempts at outside censorship which runs counter to their
professional responsibility.
- Library materials should be excluded or restricted only in so far as the law may
properly require. However, if the law or its administration conflict with he principles
put forward in this statement, librarians are free to move for amendment of the law.
- Librarians in public libraries have a special responsibility in meeting the wants and
needs of their communities. Public libraries are open forums for ideas, dedicated to the
freedom of access of library materials, Every person is entitled to rely on public
libraries for access to the records of human enquiry, experience, action, and creativity
in every field, in accordance with the above principles.
