
The LAI at its Annual General Meeting on 10th May 2023 adopted a motion to reject acts of censorship and to commit to promote the International Federation of Library Associations’ statement on intellectual freedom. This statement reiterates the role of the library as an essential support for lifelong learning, independent decision-making and cultural development and helps to safeguard basic democratic values and universal civil rights.
The LAI upholds the right for libraries to acquire, preserve and make available the widest variety of materials, reflecting the plurality and diversity of society. The LAI recognises the professional expertise of librarians working in partnership with their communities to curate collections that serve the information needs of all their users. Furthermore, the Association asserts the right of libraries to be free to acquire, organize and disseminate information freely while opposing any form of censorship and discrimination based on the grounds set out in the Equal Status Acts 2000-2018. These acts prohibit discrimination in the provision of goods and services, on the nine grounds of gender, marital status, family status, age, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion, and membership of the Traveller community.