“Libraries are for Everyone”.
Statement from the Library Association of Ireland
Library Ireland Week 2023 Dec 3rd-9th
The Library Association of Ireland (LAI), the professional body representing librarians and libraries in Ireland, promotes knowledge, intellectual freedom, and the values of equity, diversity and inclusion. The LAI firmly believes in the right of individuals to receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers as enshrined in Article19 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights.
Libraries play a vital role in providing access to diverse information, fostering reading, literacy and understanding, and creating inclusive spaces for all members of society. Public Library services are provided based on equality of access for all, regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, religion, nationality, language, social status, or any other characteristic [1]
Library staff, as custodians of knowledge and information, play a vital role in upholding the values of intellectual freedom and safeguarding the diverse collections they curate. They are dedicated professionals committed to providing unbiased access to information and supporting and celebrating the diverse communities they serve. The LAI commends the courage and dedication of library staff who tirelessly advocate for the preservation and promotion of inclusive collections and who defend the rights of library users to access a full range of library resources and services. Library staff should remain free to carry out their valuable work without fear of harassment or intimidation.
Recent attacks on inclusive library collections and services undermine the principles of intellectual freedom and threaten the very essence of what libraries represent. As a professional body, we stand firmly against any attempts to restrict or censor library collections or services and to intimidate library staff.
Libraries should remain welcoming inclusive spaces that all members of our communities can enjoy without interference. The LAI is committed to working with all relevant bodies to ensure continuing access to diverse collections and services and the creation of an environment where both library staff and all library users feel welcome, respected, and represented.
[1] IFLA-UNESCO Public Library Manifesto IFLA-UNESCO Public Library Manifesto 2022.pdf
