Waverley Council in Sydney has removed the book How to Sell a Genocide from its library shelves following a public complaint. The book, authored by Adam Johnson, critiques media coverage of the situation in Gaza. A council spokesperson stated the title was pulled for review, noting that the library outsources its book curation and purchasing processes rather than managing selection directly.
The removal follows reports that a survivor of the December terror attack at Bondi beach raised concerns about the book being displayed on a new releases shelf. The individual reportedly expressed that the presence of the book was distressing for survivors and families affected by the incident. Waverley library is located in the same council area as the site of that attack.
Author Adam Johnson criticized the decision, arguing that the term genocide is not a fringe position but represents a widely held perspective in international human rights discourse. He suggested the council should maintain a broad collection even when subjects are uncomfortable. Other advocates echoed these concerns, stating that public libraries have a duty to host a variety of viewpoints and challenging literature.
While the book remains under review, the incident has reignited questions about the balance between community sensitivity and intellectual freedom. The New South Wales government recently updated the state’s Library Act to provide protections against organized campaigns aimed at banning books. Officials have not yet confirmed if the removal will be permanent or if the work will be returned to circulation.