The history of LILAC

The audio recording celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Lesbian Information, Library, and Archives Centre (LILAC), an initiative that began in 1993. Recorded on September 15, 2024, at LILAC’s current location on Willis Street, Wellington, the speaker, Ellen Faed, reflects on the origins, growth, and impact of LILAC over three decades. Faed explains that LILAC is now in its fifth home, having occupied its current space since 2013. This venue is considered the best, largely due to its sturdy design and shelving securely bolted to the wall—features seen as crucial for safety, particularly during earthquakes.

LILAC was conceived in the early 1990s by Linda Evans and Glenda Gale, both of whom worked at the National Library. The idea for a lesbian library emerged during casual discussions at the library’s cafe, and it quickly gained momentum. The two women used their involvement with the local lesbian radio program, co-hosted by Evans, to spread the word and gather support. A meeting was convened at the YWCA to discuss the feasibility of creating a lesbian library in Wellington, and the idea was met with overwhelming enthusiasm, particularly from the many librarians in attendance.

The first official steering committee met on November 2, 1993, and the group decided that LILAC would function as both a lending library and an archive. From its inception, the project relied heavily on volunteer efforts and donations. Fundraising events were crucial to LILAC’s success. One significant event was held at the Gay and Lesbian Fair in March 1994, where LILAC raised over $1,100 through a second-hand book stall. These funds helped lay the foundation for LILAC’s growth.

Initially, LILAC faced challenges in securing a permanent home. Janet Campbell, a key figure in the organization, provided a temporary solution by offering her counselling room as a space where books could be stored and accessed. The bookshelves were covered with curtains when the room was used for counselling, ensuring that the library could coexist with other activities. During this time, the group also registered LILAC as an incorporated society, opened a bank account, and established membership criteria, setting membership fees at $10, $20, and $30—a structure that has changed little over the years.

Acquiring books for the library was another challenge that LILAC’s founders tackled with creativity and determination. Many books were donated by community members or sourced from second-hand bookshops in Wellington. Evans even sent back books from a trip to San Francisco, while Kathleen Johnson contributed books from London. As LILAC’s collection grew, volunteers catalogued and processed the books, relying on supplies that were often donated by other libraries.

Publicity for the new library was initially handled through Lesbian Radio and the Wellington Lesbian Newsletter, which included regular notices about LILAC’s progress and membership opportunities. However, for a time, LILAC’s location was not publicised, as Campbell, who used the space for counselling, did not want the address widely known. Instead, women interested in the library were directed to call the Lesbian Line, a phone service that was popular in lesbian communities across New Zealand at the time.

On September 17, 1994, LILAC officially opened its doors with a collection of about 400 books. On its first day, 51 women joined the library, though each could only borrow two books at a time due to the limited size of the collection. Reflecting on the early days, Faed emphasizes how different communication and social interaction were in the 1990s. At the time, LILAC's activities were coordinated via snail mail, landlines, and face-to-face meetings, as email and social media were either non-existent or in their infancy. Despite these limitations, the community’s passion and persistence allowed LILAC to thrive.

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Ellen Faed

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