A young girl student looking for literature near the bookshelves in the old library, Photo: 123RF
Libraries are calling for safety improvements as threats and harassment on their premises become more common.
An open letter by Public Libraries NZ and the Library and Information Association says councils and the government need to make sure workers are safe.
Seven people have appeared in court over a violent protest against a rainbow community event at Te Atatū Library in Auckland last month.
The group, linked to Destiny Church, were in court in relation to disrupting a children's event at Te Atatu Library on 15 February.
Public Libraries NZ executive director Bernie Hawke said that was not an isolated incident.
"We are seeing more and more incidences of violence in public libraries throughout New Zealand."
Sixteen people were trespassed from Ashburton's new library in its first eight months and Whanganui Council reported incidents of threatening behaviour this month.
Antisocial and threatening behaviour has become more common, and library workers were feeling unsafe.
"It's stemming from a broad base of frustration and anger from social and financial issues."
Political and racial issues and religious differences were also in the mix, reflecting disrespectful and intolerant behaviour at both a national and international level, he said.
Sometimes, mental health problems and substance abuse were also factors in the bad behaviour.
"So it's a really complex multi-layered issue."
Public libraries provided people with access to resources and programmes and if organisations such as the Destiny Church tried to close those opportunities down it was a major issue, he said.
There are over 300 libraries in New Zealand and they were typically a safe, welcoming environment for users, Hawke said.
Libraries were having to train their staff in how to deal with disruptive behaviour and councils were being supportive in paying for it.
"It's a combined effort that's required at a central and local government level, at a library level and at a community level as well."
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