Editing National Library of New Zealand (section)

==History==
[[File:National Library of New Zealand lobby.jpg|thumbnail|The lobby of National Library Wellington]]

===Origins===
The National Library of New Zealand was formed in 1965 when the General Assembly Library, the Alexander Turnbull Library, and the National Library Service were brought together by the National Library Act 1965.

The General Assembly Library was founded from money voted by Parliament in 1856 and soon became "a magnificent national treasure house in a splendid building".<ref>{{cite web |title=History of the Parliamentary Library |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/visit-and-learn/how-parliament-works/fact-sheets/history-of-library/ |publisher=[[New Zealand Parliament]] |access-date=1 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126190315/https://www.parliament.nz/en/visit-and-learn/how-parliament-works/fact-sheets/history-of-library/ |archive-date=26 November 2021 |date=29 January 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> From its beginnings until it became the National Library, it always comprised a parliamentary information service of documents and newspapers plus an extensive library of international research and literature.<ref>Parliament's Library 150 Years, John E. Martin, Crown Copyright, 2008.</ref>

The Alexander Turnbull Library was founded in 1920 and grew to hold a "comprehensive collection" of primarily New Zealand culture and history, Māori and non-Māori.<ref>{{cite web |title=Alexander Turnbull Library Collections |url=https://natlib.govt.nz/collections/a-z/alexander-turnbull-library-collections |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |access-date=1 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020073810/https://natlib.govt.nz/collections/a-z/alexander-turnbull-library-collections |archive-date=20 October 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> The National Library Service, established in 1945, was made up of four divisions: the Country Library Service, the School Library Service, a National Library centre and Library School in Wellington.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Country Library Service – Mobile Books!|url=https://digitalnz.org/stories/5d33bfe31257575e249c6c9b|access-date=14 September 2021|website=DigitalNZ|publisher=National Library of New Zealand|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219041720/https://digitalnz.org/stories/5d33bfe31257575e249c6c9b|archive-date=19 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Consolidation===
In 1974, the Archive of New Zealand Music was established at the suggestion of New Zealand composer [[Douglas Lilburn]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Archive of New Zealand Music |url=https://natlib.govt.nz/collections/a-z/archive-of-new-zealand-music#:~:text=The%20Archive%20of%20New%20Zealand%20Music%20is%20the%20world%27s%20largest,now%20and%20into%20the%20future. |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=natlib.govt.nz}}</ref>

In 1976 [[Mary Ronnie]] became the first female national librarian in the world, due to becoming New Zealand's first female National Librarian, at the National Library of New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/41646/mary-ronnie-national-librarian-1978 |title=Mary Ronnie, National Librarian, 1978 |last=Millen |first=Julia |date=22 October 2014 |website=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |access-date=28 June 2019}}</ref>

In 1985, the General Assembly Library returned to become part of the [[New Zealand Parliamentary Service|Parliamentary Service]], changing its name in 1987 to the [[New Zealand Parliamentary Library|Parliamentary Library]].<ref>{{cite web |title=New Zealand Parliamentary Library |url=http://apla.org.au/nz_library/ |publisher=Association of Parliamentary Libraries of Australasia |access-date=1 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126190328/http://apla.org.au/nz_library/ |archive-date=26 November 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> When it separated from the National Library, the National Library then took guardianship of hundreds of thousands of international volumes previously acquired by the General Assembly Library, and the National Library continued to curate the traditional international library.

In 1987, staff and collections from 14 different sites around [[Wellington]] were centralised in a new National Library building, officially opened in August. The architecture of the building is said to have been heavily influenced by the design of the [[Boston City Hall]],<ref name="DomPost 2009">{{cite news |last=Catherall |first=Saul |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/2777757/National-Library-Bookworm-heaven-vs-wow-factor |title=National Library: Bookworm heaven vs wow factor|work=[[The Dominion Post (Wellington)|The Dominion Post]]|publisher=[[Stuff (company)|Stuff]]|date=22 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126040518/http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news-old/features/2777757/National-Library-Bookworm-heaven-vs-wow-factor|archive-date=26 January 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> but direct reference to the [[Birmingham Central Library]] should not be ruled out.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}}

In 1988, the National Library became an autonomous government department where previously it had been administered by the Department of Education. The same year, the Library took on the te reo Māori name Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, which translated means: the wellspring of knowledge, of New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://natlib.govt.nz/about-us/our-history|title=Our history |publisher=National Library of New Zealand|access-date=8 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119025109/https://natlib.govt.nz/about-us/our-history|archive-date=19 November 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Restructuring and renovations===
In early 1998 an ambitious $8.5&nbsp;million computer project was scrapped.<ref name="NZ_Herald_1454">{{cite news |last=Gifford|first=Adam|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=1454 |title=Library systems miss out on NZ technology |date=19 January 1999 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=27 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618002541/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=1454|archive-date=18 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

The National Library building was to be expanded and upgraded in 2009–2011,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/461040 |title=$69m plan to extend National Library |work=[[The Dominion Post (Wellington)|The Dominion Post]] |publisher=[[Stuff (company)|Stuff]] |date=26 May 2008|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044654/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/461040|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> but the incoming [[Fifth National Government of New Zealand|Fifth National Government]] greatly scaled down the scope of the work, reducing the budget for it and delaying the commencement, arguing concerns about the cost of the project and the reduction in the accessibility of collections and facilities during the construction work.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington/1396626 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120910164632/http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington/1396626 |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 September 2012 |title=Concern over plans for National Library |work=[[The Dominion Post (Wellington)|The Dominion Post]] |publisher=[[Stuff (company)|Stuff]] |date=10 February 2009}}</ref> The building closed for two years, reopening in June 2012, while refurbishment continued.<ref>{{cite news |title=National Library re-opens to researchers |first=Tom |last=Hunt |url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington-central/7424600/National-Library-re-opens-to-researchers |work=[[The Dominion Post (Wellington)|The Dominion Post]] |publisher=[[Stuff (company)|Stuff]] |date=6 August 2012 |access-date=21 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201073605/http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/capital-life/7424600/National-Library-re-opens-to-researchers|archive-date=1 December 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 25 March 2010 the Minister of State Services announced that [[Archives New Zealand]] and the National Library of New Zealand would be subsumed under the [[Department of Internal Affairs]].<ref name="Beehive Press Release">{{Cite web|url=http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/state-sector-changes-improve-performance|title=State sector changes to improve performance|website=Beehive.govt.nz|publisher=[[New Zealand Government]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328191933/https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/state-sector-changes-improve-performance|archive-date=28 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2018 a National Archival and Library Institutions Ministerial Group (NALI) was announced.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dia.govt.nz/National-Archival-and-Library-Institutions-Ministerial-Group|title=National Archival and Library Institutions Ministerial Group|publisher=[[Department of Internal Affairs (New Zealand)|Department of Internal Affairs]]|access-date=2 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227220248/https://www.dia.govt.nz/National-Archival-and-Library-Institutions-Ministerial-Group|archive-date=27 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> The purpose of NALI was to examine the structure and role of the National Library, [[Archives New Zealand]] and [[Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision]], the position of the Chief Archivist and National Librarian, and the future of collecting, preserving and providing access to New Zealand's documentary heritage, particularly digital preservation and access. Before and since NALI was set up concern has been expressed about the National Library being part of the Department of Internal Affairs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=116532|title=What's needed for the National Library, Turnbull and Archives|last=Gilling|first=Don|date=26 February 2019|website=Wellington.Scoop|publisher=[[Scoop (website)|Scoop]]|access-date=2 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301020751/http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=116532|archive-date=1 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

In December 2020, the Department of Internal Affairs confirmed that the National library along with [[Archives New Zealand]] and [[Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision]] would build a new remote storage facility to house some of the organisations' growing collections at the [[Horowhenua Business Park]] in [[Levin, New Zealand|Levin]] at an unspecified date.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baalbergen |first1=Janine |title=National Library and other government services to move to Horowhenua |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/horowhenua-chronicle/news/national-library-and-other-government-services-to-move-to-horowhenua/LXCIA7FBGTFDLB2YURP422WESE/ |access-date=14 December 2021 |work=[[Horowhenua Chronicle]] |publisher=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=11 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514041117/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/horowhenua-chronicle/news/national-library-and-other-government-services-to-move-to-horowhenua/LXCIA7FBGTFDLB2YURP422WESE/ |archive-date=14 May 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the project was not fully funded in later Budget bids and eventually cancelled.<ref>{{Cite web |title=$12.1m already spent: Government storage facility project in Levin axed |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350250791/121m-already-spent-government-storage-facility-project-levin-axed |url-status=live |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=www.stuff.co.nz}}</ref>

In February 2022 Internal Affairs Minister [[Jan Tinetti]], Archives NZ chief archivist Stephen Clarke and [[Māori people|Māori]] [[iwi]] (tribe) Taranaki Whānui [[Te Āti Awa]] confirmed that the Government would build a new archives building on the site of the former Defence House on Wellington's Aitken Street between the present Archives NZ and National Library buildings. The new NZ$290 million building will also host archives repository and specialist facilities for the National Library, Archives New Zealand and Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chumko |first1=André |title=New $290m national archives facility to be built in Wellington |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/127617135/new-290m-national-archives-facility-to-be-built-in-wellington?rm=a |access-date=12 May 2024 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=1 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224202545/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/127617135/new-290m-national-archives-facility-to-be-built-in-wellington?rm=a |archive-date=24 February 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Groundbreaking ceremony for new archives building behind National Library |url=https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=142269 |website=Wellington.Scoop |publisher=[[Scoop (website)|Scoop]] |access-date=12 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607025214/https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=142269 |archive-date=7 June 2023 |date=1 February 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Overseas published collections review===
In 2015, the National Library signalled the beginning of a review process of their international collections, comprising the General Assembly international library in its guardianship of General Assembly collections and substantial post-1965 acquisitions. The National Library classified these collections as "overseas published collections".<ref name="Overseas collection management">{{cite web |title=Overseas Published Collections — collection management project |url=https://natlib.govt.nz/about-us/strategy-and-policy/collections-policy/overseas-published-collection-management |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |access-date=1 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120160831/https://natlib.govt.nz/about-us/strategy-and-policy/collections-policy/overseas-published-collection-management |archive-date=20 November 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> This was done in consultation with New Zealand's library sector.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=18 December 2019|title=National Library makes more room for New Zealand and Pacific stories|url=https://natlib.govt.nz/about-us/media/national-library-makes-more-room-for-new-zealand-and-pacific-stories|publisher=National Library of New Zealand}}</ref> The review process was publicly announced in December 2019.<ref name=":2" />

Under the aegis of the Department of Internal Affairs, operations began in 2018 to dispense with 625,000 "overseas published" books, out of a total of overseas published collections amounting to 710,000 items.<ref>{{cite web |last=Larsen |first=David|url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/books/20-01-2020/the-national-library-cull-of-600000-books-could-be-a-disaster-for-researchers/ |title=The National Library cull of 600,000 books could be a disaster for researchers |work=[[The Spinoff]] |date=20 January 2020 |access-date=28 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127201559/https://thespinoff.co.nz/books/20-01-2020/the-national-library-cull-of-600000-books-could-be-a-disaster-for-researchers|archive-date=27 November 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2019, the library announced its intention to offer the books to local libraries, prison libraries, and community groups.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Roy |first1=Eleanor |title='I literally weep': anguish as New Zealand's National Library culls 600,000 books |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/11/i-literally-weep-anguish-as-new-zealands-national-library-culls-600000-books |access-date=16 September 2020 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=11 September 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200914205732/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/11/i-literally-weep-anguish-as-new-zealands-national-library-culls-600000-books |archive-date=14 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Corlett |first1=Eva |title=National Library in middle of first major cull of international books |url= https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12364449 |access-date=16 September 2020 |newspaper=[[New Zealand Herald]] |date=13 September 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200916040019/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12364449 |archive-date=16 September 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The library stated the [[Weeding (library)|weeding]] was being done to create "room to continue to grow our Māori, Pacific and New Zealand collections and to build well-managed coherent collections that support the National Library's functions, in line with our legislated mandate and collections policy."<ref name=":2" />

In September 2020, the review and weeding of overseas published book collections began to be discussed in the New Zealand media. The review attracted both positive and negative international and local media coverage.<ref>{{Cite news|date=4 February 2020|title='Weed in the dead of night': A librarian shares the secrets of book-culling|url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/books/04-02-2020/weed-in-the-dead-of-night-a-librarian-shares-the-secrets-of-book-culling/|work=[[The Spinoff]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121033540/https://thespinoff.co.nz/books/04-02-2020/weed-in-the-dead-of-night-a-librarian-shares-the-secrets-of-book-culling/|archive-date=21 November 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=15 October 2020|title=Viewpoint: Weeding is essential for healthy library collections|url= https://www.librariesaotearoa.org.nz/viewpoint-weeding-is-essential-for-healthy-library-collections.html|website=Libraries Aotearoa|publisher=Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026020323/https://www.librariesaotearoa.org.nz/viewpoint-weeding-is-essential-for-healthy-library-collections.html|access-date=1 December 2021|archive-date=26 October 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

The review revealed that some of the books may be of pertinence to New Zealand/Aotearoan history and on-going narratives.<ref name="Overseas collection management" /><ref>{{cite web |url= https://bookguardiansaotearoa.com/2020/12/19/a-cultural-and-intellectual-impoverishment/ |last1=Lee |first1=Jonathan |title=A cultural and intellectual impoverishment |publisher=Book Guardians Aotearoa |access-date=19 October 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210713045656/https://bookguardiansaotearoa.com/2020/12/19/a-cultural-and-intellectual-impoverishment/ |archive-date=13 July 2021 |date=19 December 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> Concerned that researchers would lose access, the weeding of over 600,000 books was challenged by the advocacy group Book Guardians Aotearoa.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gordon |first1=Rosie |title=Book Guardians Aotearoa group to challenge National Library planned cull of 600,000 books |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/10/book-guardians-aotearoa-group-to-challenge-national-library-planned-cull-of-600-000-books.html |access-date=19 October 2021 |work=[[Newshub]] |date=12 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015051156/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/10/book-guardians-aotearoa-group-to-challenge-national-library-planned-cull-of-600-000-books.html |archive-date=15 October 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> The books in question are housed in Wellington and [[Whanganui]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Tweed|first=Mike|url= https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/national-library-collection-at-whanganuis-wairere-house-to-be-redistributed/CDEDJW7OO2R3LWXR2KOUUPWXQU/ |title=National Library collection at Whanganui's Wairere House to be redistributed|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211019003958/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/national-library-collection-at-whanganuis-wairere-house-to-be-redistributed/CDEDJW7OO2R3LWXR2KOUUPWXQU/|archive-date=19 October 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2021 the Library announced it had made a donation agreement with the [[Internet Archive]] to take the books and digitise them, making them available to researchers on their [[Open Library]] platform.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chumko |first=Andre |date=12 July 2021|title=National Library signs 'historic' agreement to donate 600,000 books to online archive|url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/books/125718606/national-library-signs-historic-agreement-to-donate-600000-books-to-online-archive|access-date=13 July 2021|work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211017163633/https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/books/125718606/national-library-signs-historic-agreement-to-donate-600000-books-to-online-archive|archive-date=17 October 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=13 July 2021|title=National Library signs historic agreement with Internet Archive|url=https://natlib.govt.nz/about-us/media/national-library-signs-historic-agreement-with-internet-archive|publisher=National Library of New Zealand|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119193208/https://natlib.govt.nz/about-us/media/national-library-signs-historic-agreement-with-internet-archive|archive-date=19 November 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2021, the Publishers Association of New Zealand and the New Zealand Society of Authors lodged an appeal against the legality of the National Library's donation to Internet Archive with the [[Attorney-General (New Zealand)|attorney-general]], arguing that the donation breached copyright law and expressing concern about the future of the books should the archive be ordered to close.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chumko |first1=Andre |title=Attorney-General asked to investigate National Library-Internet Archive deal |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/books/126365119/attorneygeneral-asked-to-investigate-national-libraryinternet-archive-deal |access-date=19 October 2021 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=15 September 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211017163629/https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/books/126365119/attorneygeneral-asked-to-investigate-national-libraryinternet-archive-deal |archive-date=17 October 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2021, British novelist [[Philip Pullman]], the President of the British [[Society of Authors]], criticised the donation for allegedly breaching copyright laws. Wellington QC Hugh Rennie also alleged that the National Library was receiving advice from a lawyer unauthorised to practise in New Zealand, in response to Tohatoha copyright adviser Michael Wolfe's statement in support of the donation agreement.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wolfe|first=Michael|date=24 July 2021|title=Controlled digital lending – is it 'piracy'?|url= https://www.newsroom.co.nz/controlled-digital-lending-is-it-piracy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723230151/https://www.newsroom.co.nz/controlled-digital-lending-is-it-piracy |archive-date=23 July 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> The lawyers Andrew Brown QC and Jack Oliver-Hood also opined that the deal made the library liable for copyright infringement in New Zealand courts.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chumko |first1=André |title=International concern about Internet Archive-National Library deal |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/books/126701209/international-concern-about-internet-archivenational-library-deal |access-date=19 October 2021 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=18 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017163618/https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/books/126701209/international-concern-about-internet-archivenational-library-deal |archive-date=17 October 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Library states that the Internet Archive uses [[controlled digital lending]] to "prevent illicit copying and ensure that copies are loaned to one person at a time" and that "controlled digital lending provides a way to ensure protection for content creators as well as the ability for people to be able to access and use the work that's been created."<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|date=15 October 2021|title=Overseas Published Collections — collection management project|url= https://natlib.govt.nz/about-us/strategy-and-policy/collections-policy/overseas-published-collection-management|publisher=National Library of New Zealand|access-date=1 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120160831/https://natlib.govt.nz/about-us/strategy-and-policy/collections-policy/overseas-published-collection-management|archive-date=20 November 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions]] (IFLA) issued a statement in support of controlled digital lending and highlighted the degree to which the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for legislation to enable libraries to provide temporary digital access to library holdings.<ref>{{Cite web|date=16 June 2021|title=IFLA releases a statement on Controlled Digital Lending|url=https://www.ifla.org/news/ifla-releases-a-statement-on-controlled-digital-lending/|publisher=International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026020322/https://www.ifla.org/news/ifla-releases-a-statement-on-controlled-digital-lending/|archive-date=26 October 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Library's donation agreement with the Internet Archive was supported by library groups<ref>{{Cite web|date=25 November 2020|title=Proactive release of Ministerial approval and letters from LIAC and CONZUL relating to the management of the National Library's Overseas Published Collections|url=https://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/Files/Proactive-releases/%24file/Proactive-Release-OPC-briefing-and-letters-from-LIAC-and-CONZUL.pdf|publisher=[[Department of Internal Affairs (New Zealand)|Department of Internal Affairs]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120214648/https://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/Files/Proactive-releases/$file/Proactive-Release-OPC-briefing-and-letters-from-LIAC-and-CONZUL.pdf|archive-date=20 January 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> and New Zealand civil society organisations.<ref>{{Cite web|date=21 July 2021|title=National Library's plan to digitise and preserve books draws wide support from New Zealand civil society organisations|url=https://www.tohatoha.org.nz/2021/07/national-librarys-plan-to-digitise-and-preserve-books-draws-wide-support-from-new-zealand-civil-society-organisations/|website=Tohatoha|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122152027/https://www.tohatoha.org.nz/2021/07/national-librarys-plan-to-digitise-and-preserve-books-draws-wide-support-from-new-zealand-civil-society-organisations/|archive-date=22 November 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Creative Sector opposition to National Library of NZ book depletions.jpg|thumb|Writers Against NZ National Library  Disposals opposition to reduction of National Library General Collections, November 2021]]

The overseas published collections project was supported by the library sector including the Council of New Zealand University Librarians (CONZUL), Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (LIANZA) and the Library Information Advisory Committee (LIAC), which advises the Minister of Internal Affairs.<ref name=":3" />

However, several groups including the Book Guardians Aotearoa, the Publishers' Association, the Society of Authors and Writers Against National Library Disposals have been opposing moves to donate the 600,000 books by writing articles, organising events and publishing a 64-page anthology of writing.<ref>{{cite news |last=Chumko|first=Andre|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/books/125825695/writers-pen-anthology-about-national-library-books-donation-as-divide-deepens |title=Writers pen anthology about National Library books donation as divide deepens |work=[[The Dominion Post (Wellington)|The Dominion Post]]|publisher=[[Stuff (company)|Stuff]]|date=28 July 2021 |access-date=1 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026191231/https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/books/125825695/writers-pen-anthology-about-national-library-books-donation-as-divide-deepens|archive-date=26 October 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Organisations that protect writer and publisher copyright particularly PANZ and NZSA (PEN NZ) are primarily concerned with the interests of their clients and members, e.g. illegal copying of books.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/lately/audio/2018818904/the-national-library-disposing-of-tens-of-thousands-of-books|title=The National Library disposing of tens of thousands of books?|date=2 November 2021|work=[[Radio New Zealand]]|access-date=1 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103010012/https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/lately/audio/2018818904/the-national-library-disposing-of-tens-of-thousands-of-books|archive-date=3 November 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Meanwhile, groups like Writers Against National Library Disposals (referred to by government as the "creative sector") and Book Guardians Aotearoa advocate for increased government funding for correct storage and professional curation of the international collection, to encourage and facilitate public accessibility to the threatened books. The Creative Sector does not oppose digitisation, but wishes it to occur within New Zealand as long as it fully respects authors' rights.<ref>{{cite web|last=Direen|first=William|url=https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=140249|title=Ten writers at public protest against National Library plans to get rid of books|website=Wellington.scoop.co.nz|publisher=[[Scoop (website)|Scoop]]|access-date=8 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115152131/https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=140249|archive-date=15 November 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 29 November 2021, the National Library of New Zealand announced that it was "reconsidering" its contract with Internet Archive, and would make an announcement in early 2022 regarding its continuation or cancellation.<ref>{{cite news |title=National Library reconsiders book disposal plan |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/lately/audio/2018822560/national-library-reconsiders-book-disposal-plan |access-date=1 December 2021 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=29 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201082811/https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/lately/audio/2018822560/national-library-reconsiders-book-disposal-plan |archive-date=1 December 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Chumko |first1=Andre |title=National Library hits pause on Internet Archive deal days before deadline |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/books/127129379/national-library-hits-pause-on-internet-archive-deal-days-before-deadline |access-date=1 December 2021 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=29 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201080538/https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/books/127129379/national-library-hits-pause-on-internet-archive-deal-days-before-deadline |archive-date=1 December 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> The National Library of New Zealand has also stated that it would enter into consultation with all the authors' rights and creative sector groups concerned, in 2022.<ref>{{cite web |title=Latest update from Te Pouhuaki National Librarian |url=https://natlib.govt.nz/about-us/strategy-and-policy/collections-policy/overseas-published-collection-management#latest-update-from-te-pouhuaki-national-librarian |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |access-date=1 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120160831/https://natlib.govt.nz/about-us/strategy-and-policy/collections-policy/overseas-published-collection-management |archive-date=20 November 2021 |date=29 November 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> On 31 October 2022, in a letter that seems to bring the protests and the process of disposals to some kind of resolution, the director of the New Zealand National Library announced that the library is "developing a new policy for removing and disposing of collection items".<ref>Letter to subscribers by Rachel Esson, National Librarian: "Latest OPC Update from Te Pouhuaki National Librarian" and "the last update I will be sending out specifically relating to the Overseas Published Collections."</ref> Details of this new policy are expected to be made public in 2023 prior to the next general election.