Banned Books Week is an annual event highlighting free and open access to information and celebrating the freedom to read. Freedom of access to information and freedom of expression are democratic principles embedded into libraries and librarianship, and Banned Books week is a great opportunity to raise awareness on issues of censorship and promote the freedom to read.

Challenged vs banned books

Banned books are books that have been explicitly censored from public access by legislative or organisational decisions. Challenged books are subject to an attempt to censor, remove or restrict access.

In New Zealand, there are banned and restricted books as determined by the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993. These books are either given an age restriction or are banned under the objectionable category by Te Mana Whakaatu Classification Office. You can read more about classification on their website, specifically their page for librarians.

Get involved this Banned Books Week

Banned Books Week is a great opportunity to spark conversations about intellectual freedom, celebrate the freedom to read, and engage your community. Getting involved doesn't have to be complicated and we've listed a range of ideas below to help you find an approach that works for your library, organisation, or community:

• Is your library interested in making a book display for Banned Books week? After over a year of reporting in the Library Challenges Register, LIANZA’s Standing Committee on Freedom of Information is pleased to be able to offer a list of titles challenged in libraries across Aotearoa. Contact the committee at freedom@lianza.org.nz if you’d like the list emailed to you.

• The American Library Association’s (ALA) theme for this year is “Let Books Be. Protect the Freedom to Read.” Print out their collateral for posters to support your display or share on social media to raise awareness. Download free posters.

• Curate book lists of challenged or banned books. You can use the list of challenged titles from the LIANZA Library Challenges Register, or look at lists provided by ALA. View their lists online: Banned and challenged books.

• The Freedom-to-Read toolkit offers key statements supporting the freedom to read. Use these to support the messaging on your displays or social media posts.

• Engage in professional development to upskill yourself or stay aware of current issues surrounding intellectual freedom in libraries.

• • Watch this past webinar: LIANZA Freedom-to-Read Toolkit webinar - Legal and Ethical Framework. In the webinar Rupert Ablett-Hampson from Te Maana Whakaatu Classification Office discusses the Classification Office’s role and the process they take when receiving classification requests. Nicole Browne, a lawyer from the Office of Human Rights Proceedings, looks at New Zealand’s Bill of Rights and Human Rights Act and other legislation and international statements impacting libraries. Check out all LIANZA webinars.

  • Join IFLA MLAS and FAIFE for an international discussion on book challenges, intellectual freedom, and the critical role of libraries and library associations in safeguarding democratic access to knowledge worldwide. Together, we will explore how public and school libraries are responding to censorship pressures and continuing to serve as essential spaces for learning, inquiry, and diverse perspectives. Register for: Let Books Be: A Global Conversation on the Freedom to Read.

LIANZA Library Challenges Register

The Library Challenges Register has been developed to help the sector understand the nature and extent of challenges to our library and information sector in Aotearoa New Zealand. We encourage every library to add its challenges to the register, so we have the data we need to respond to challenges.

Freedom-to-Read toolkit

Take the opportunity to review the LIANZA Freedom-to-Read toolkit, a one-stop shop for information and guidance on challenges in libraries in Aotearoa. Ensure you have processes in place for handling challenges and make sure your policies are up to date.

Take a look at these statements and pieces of legislation which underpin the principles that inform the freedom to read and intellectual freedom in libraries.

Stand up for the freedom to read

The Standing Committee on Freedom of Information would like to express their acknowledgement for the work of all library workers in upholding the freedom to read and freedom of access to information and standing firm against censorship attempts, often in the face of difficult interactions. We remain committed to ensuring library services provide access to a diverse range of books and information for us all. 

Contact the committee at freedom@lianza.org.nz to share your stories or ask any questions.