Freedom of expression
Statement from Library Board of Victoria on Freedom of Expression and Respect
The Library Board of Victoria governs the Library and upholds its founding vision to be the people’s university – ensuring access for all to learning, knowledge and culture.
This Statement sets out the foundational commitments the Library stands for – freedom of expression, the transformative power of ideas, and the right to feel valued and heard in a respectful environment.
As a Library for all we reflect a broad spectrum of perspectives and ideas, celebrating the richness of our society.
We collaborate with people from Victoria’s diverse communities to collect, preserve and share their stories, engage in open dialogue and robust debate, curate programs, events and exhibitions and enable equitable access to knowledge.
We champion the right for everyone to freely pursue their cultural, social and economic development and enjoy the cultural rights enshrined in Victorian law.
We believe respect for others is essential to freedom of expression in civil society. That is why respectful conduct underpins everything we do.
We expect everyone we work with to share these foundational values, and to play their part in upholding them.
Freedom of Expression and Respectful Conduct Schedule
The Library is a place for everyone: it provides an essential and unique community service, onsite and online. We provide a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful place for cultural expression and engagement. We share obligations and expectations with those we work with to uphold these values and ways of working. In meeting these commitments, the Library supports freedom of expression and the right for all to express themselves in a safe and respectful way.
What obligations do we all have?
As a Victorian State Government agency, the Library must ensure that it is a safe place for all. For this reason, any person engaging with the Library onsite and online is required to comply with the following:
- Respectful conduct: It is critical to behave lawfully and respectfully so that all people can participate safely with the Library – further information about what this means is set out below
- Duty of care: The Library has an obligation to protect people from unlawful and inappropriate conduct, including vilification, racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation and discrimination. We expect and require all individuals engaging with the Library to adhere to such obligations, as required by law and outlined in Library policies.
How does the Library actively support Freedom of Expression?
The Library is committed to supporting Freedom of Expression. We deliver programming that may push the boundaries of what traditionally may be expected while also reflecting the changing nature of libraries. We do this through:
- Diverse and representative collections: We collect, acquire, preserve, and make accessible a wide range of materials, including books, periodicals, realia, pictures and digital resources, which represent diverse viewpoints, cultures, subjects, emerging ideas and contemporary issues, to help ensure that all voices, including marginalised and minority groups, can be represented
- Inclusive programs, events and exhibitions: The Library invites a diversity of talent including (but not limited to) authors, journalists, artists, experts and communities from various backgrounds to discuss and share their work and perspectives. We facilitate open dialogue, robust debate and discussion – even when this is related to the Library itself or its practices or policies. We seek and value community feedback
- Support for intellectual freedom: We do not support censorship. The Library provides resources on, and understands, the importance of intellectual freedom in a democratic society and its relation to freedom of expression. We support the universal human rights of public assembly and freedom of association, and we uphold the right to access information. We implement privacy protections to safeguard patrons' confidentiality and freedom to explore information
- Accessible and safe spaces: Wherever possible, we ensure our collections, services and programs are accessible to people with disabilities, and we aim to offer safe spaces for all. We actively strive to improve accessibility and access to information. We are committed to being a child safe organisation with zero tolerance for child abuse, always acting in the child’s best interests.
What does the Library mean by Respectful Conduct?
Respectful conduct is a fundamental part of making sure that everyone can feel safe, valued, and heard. It involves several key aspects:
- Respect for different views: Acknowledging and valuing a wide range of opinions
- Respect for individual dignity: Ensuring interactions and communications do not demean or dehumanise others, refraining from abusive, derogatory or discriminatory speech
- Respect for cultural sensitivity: Being mindful of cultural backgrounds and experiences, avoiding offensive or insensitive speech or actions
- Respect for legal boundaries: Adhering to laws and regulations governing speech, including those prohibiting hate speech, incitement to violence and defamation
- Respect for our Library community: Contributing to a positive, inclusive atmosphere, ensuring all members can engage without fear of harassment or intimidation, and to engage in behaviour that does not adversely affect the good reputation of the Library, acting consistently with the Library’s values and vision.