Global Reach: Anime Site Banned in Russia

New Zealand

Two locations of Thames-Coromandel District Libraries closed temporarily on November 19 because of concerns that play sand used in crafts at the library may have been contaminated with asbestos, Radio New Zealand reported. Multiple brands of play sand have been recalled, and investigations are ongoing, according to New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment. Tairua Library reopened November 20 after confirming it had not used the recalled brands, and Thames Library reopened November 21 after the sand it used tested negative for asbestos.

Ghana

The 2025 Annual General Meeting of the Ghana Library Authority (GLA), held November 20–21 at University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ho, called for responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) and a deeper focus on digital literacy, Ghana News Agency reported. Speakers, including GLA Board Chair Michael Ato Essuman, argued that AI could allow librarians to spend less time on repetitive tasks and focus on higher-level responsibilities.

Indonesia

Indonesia’s Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf announced a plan to build modern libraries in Sekolah Rakyat, the nation’s new free boarding schools for children from low-income families. The Ministry of Social Affairs will build physical spaces and provide modern technology for the libraries, while the National Library of Indonesia will provide books and establish a governance system that enables the libraries to be accessible to local communities. The ministry had built 100 pilot schools as of July, with a total of 166 planned to be built in 2025.

Russia

Continuing its anti-LGBTQ+ policies, Russia has banned MyAnimeList, the world’s largest database of anime and manga content, The Moscow Times reported. Roskomnadzor, Russia’s federal agency responsible for controlling mass media, banned the site for its “systematic placement of materials containing information propagating non-traditional sexual relations and/or preference” on October 22. Officials claimed the ban could be reversed if content it deems unlawful were removed.

Gaza

Two Palestinians are collecting donations to create the first public library in Gaza since Israeli bombs destroyed nearly all cultural institutions after two years of war, Literary Hub reported. Omar Hamad and Ibrahim have salvaged books from destroyed libraries, and are working to preserve texts and build a physical library space for “rebuilding collective memory.” As of December 16, 2025, the men had raised more than $43,000 of a $55,000 goal from more than 1,100 donors.

Brazil

Armed thieves stole 13 pieces of art from Mário de Andrade Library in São Paulo on December 7, including eight engravings by French painter Henri Matisse and five works by Brazilian painter Candido Portinari, ABC News reported. The pieces were stolen on the final day of the exhibition From the Book to the Museum, a collaboration between the library and the Museum of Modern Art of São Paulo. The value of the stolen pieces was not disclosed, although a collection of 60 Matisse drawings sold for more than $2.5 million in October. Artnet reported that one of the two suspects was apprehended December 8.