29 Nov 2021

National Library reconsiders book disposal plan

From Lately, 10:18 pm on 29 November 2021

Earlier this month we highlighted the National Library's decision to dispose of up to 600,000 books that form part of the Overseas Published Collection. Two thirds of the books were to be exported to an American company Internet Archive to be digitised but there was criticism from the literary community with the Library being accused of cultural vandalism. Today the Library has said they are reconsidering its plans for the Overseas Published Collection. National Librarian Rachel Esson and Paula Browning, chief executive of Copyright Licensing New Zealand join the show to weigh in on the developments.

the National Library

the National Library Photo: Supplied - the National Library