The mandate for the Access Policy is established by the National Library of New Zealand (Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa) Act 2003.

The Access Policy is underpinned by the following principles:

  1. Resources in the collections of the National Library, including the collections of the Alexander Turnbull Library will be made available unless there is a valid reason to restrict access.
  2. Access to the National Library Collections, including the collections of the Alexander Turnbull Library will be consistent with their status as taonga.
  3. The Library's collections and access to them will be made available without charge.
  4. The National Library will provide or facilitate online access to a selected range of information resources and digital collections.
  5. The Alexander Turnbull Library will provide a research service, supporting access by researchers to resources in its collections.
  6. The National Library will provide a reference service, supporting access for individuals and for libraries.
  7. The National Library will provide a curriculum information service, supporting access for New Zealand primary and secondary school teachers and home-schoolers.
  8. The Library will seek collaborations with the aim of improving access.
  9. Access provided by the Library will be in compliance with New Zealand law, and in particular the Copyright Act 1994.

The Access Policy is reviewed annually.

Download the National Library Access Policy

For more information about the Access Policy, please contact Collection Services.