Libraries Aotearoa - Kōrero - Blog

Who got the job ... Business Development Customer Specialist, Wellington City Libraries

11/10/2021

Each month we feature an individual who has recently moved to a new role in the library and information sector within New Zealand. This month we’re featuring Linda Stopforth who has recently started a new role at Wellington City Libraries.

Linda was just beginning to find her feet in her new job when lockdown came and added a new dimension. But, she says, the purpose of this position is to engage with the Wellington business community and promote the research services and resources we offer to assist them.

She is a librarian with several decades of experience across the special library world working in private and public organisations. These days she wears several hats dividing her time between her new role, her own business interests and doing the administration work for a small charitable trust, YETI Nepal.

I have a background in special libraries with experience in commercial organisations and understand the different aspects of business. In my previous role I was doing a lot of business intelligence gathering and identifying leads that our sales team could follow up. I have also run my own business for over a decade. Add to that I am a long-time resident of Wellington, enthusiastic about what this city offers and this role brings all that together into one place.

I’m excited about reaching out to the Wellington business community, raising awareness, and creating use of the wide range of resources (including a great team of very knowledgeable staff) available to businesses, when those businesses may not have thought about the library being able to assist them.

I'd like to see an increased uptake of our online learning resources including business databases like Katalyst and the training resources available through LinkedIn learning would be great. I’d also like to work with the library team to develop guest speaker events where people in the community can share their business journeys and experiences with others.

As I write this we’re still in L4 lockdown. The highlight of my day is the 11am Dom-Post quiz via Teams with my colleagues. Its great technology can allow us to connect each day in this way.

My advice to someone aiming to progress their career in libraries is to not stop learning and developing new skill sets. Make the most of professional development opportunities offered at work or by LIANZA. But also develop general skills and experience that is transferable. Sign up for a first aid course, or to be the union rep, or volunteer for the social club and help organise the Christmas party. Don’t forget that skills learned through volunteering in the community also help develop you and can usually be applied to the workplace.

LIANZA Standing Committee on Copyright.

11/10/2021

LIANZA is looking for professionals from the #LIS or wider cultural heritage sector, who are members of LIANZA or Te Rōpū Whakahau and have expertise OR an interest in copyright, to join the LIANZA Standing Committee on Copyright.

We invite anyone interested in copyright to apply.

The committee meets by Zoom once a month for an hour, and there can be work between meetings. We aim to meet once per year in person.
Expected time commitment is around 3-6 hours per month. There can also be periods of quite intense work when we are preparing a submission, but the workload is shared between the committee to ensure that it doesn’t become onerous for any member.
We envisage that much of the focus for our work will be on the Review of the Copyright Act 1994, despite it currently being on hold. The Review covers not only the provisions which relate to libraries and the GLAM sector more broadly, but the relationship between Mātauranga Māori and copyright.
The Committee is very collegial and joining is a great way to extend your awareness and understanding of the copyright issues facing New Zealand libraries.

This is an exciting time to be working on copyright matters and joining the committee will give you the opportunity to help shape change. The initial commitment for membership is a three-year term.

If you are interested in joining us please complete the expression of interest and send to: officeadmin@lianza.org.nz

If you have any questions about the LIANZA Standing Committee on Copyright please contact Melanie Johnson, the current Acting Chair on mellione@gmail.com

"Being part of this committee has been amazing for my professional development and confidence around assessing and applying Copyright. Being involved in the Copyright Act review alongside a great group of likeminded and experienced librarians is an amazing opportunity to advocate for the cultural sector and our patrons. Melanie Johnson, LSCC Acting Chair I am delighted to be able to continue the advocacy for workable exceptions for libraries that facilitate the sharing of the valuable resources held by libraries and to continue to work collaboratively with professionals who are such a fountain of knowledge and resourcefulness."

Zoe Richardson, Auckland Museum and LSCC Secretary.

Complete your expression of interest here

LIANZA 2021 Conference – thoughts from our keynote speakers

30/9/2021

Our conference is just a few weeks way and we invited some of the LIANZA 2021 Conference keynote speakers to share what they are looking forward to sharing with delegates attending from New Zealand, Austrlaia and other countries in the Pacific

Dr Frances Koya Vaka’uta
Team Leader Culture for Development
Human Rights and Social Development Division
Pacific Community SPC

Keynote: Decolonising the Pacific Library - Rethinking the library of the future
Wednesday November 10, 10.30am

Why are you looking forward to speaking at the LIANZA 2021 Conference?
I have always loved books and libraries. We did not have a school library at my primary school until my year six or seven and the most exciting days of the month was when the Suva City Council’s mobile library came to visit. The mobile library was a little caravan and there was nothing more exciting for a little book lover than climbing up those metal steps and walking into a cosy nook to a shelf of colourful children’s books. The opening of the school library was the best thing that happened and I spent many hours of joy in the school libraries in my last few years of primary school and at secondary school. What saddens me the most is that four decades later, many schools still do not have a fully fledged library and those which do, do not have adequate resources. I am looking forward to conversations about strengthening library services for and in Pacific communities and creative pedagogies that 21st century libraries can and should facilitate.

When you were asked to be a keynote speaker, what went through your mind? Excitement? Panic? Was it a “why me” moment?
To be honest, I did have a ‘why me’ moment but at the same time, I was excited to have an opportunity to speak on something that I feel very strongly about.

What do you think you’ll be able to bring to the LIANZA 2021 Conference and the wider library and information sector with your keynote address?
I’d like to bring a different perspective on decolonizing library spaces and the ways that we might begin to rethink and reshape our libraries.

Can you tell us a bit more about what you’ll be touching on in your keynote address and what you hope delegates will take away?
I will discuss the notion of decolonizing the Pacific library with and for Pacific peoples themeselves and will touch on the potential that living libraries offer. As traditionally oral communities, Pacific worldviews about worthwhile knowledge its transmission bring a unique perspective to the process of rethinking. I would like to explore what that might look like in a contemporary library space, whether it is in a traditional institutionalized, fixed space or in open and mobile libary spaces. Pacific collections are often small in comparison to internationally sourced content and I would like to consider ways to grow Pacific collections of fiction, non-fiction, reference materials and periodicals alike. How can we innovate the library space beyond the perception of it being a resource centre? Can we include the arts and traditional forms of storying in innovative, contemporary spaces to privilege indigenous knowledge? What role can and should elders within a Pacific community play? How do we translate a love for stories to a love for reading in Pacific children and youth?

What do you hope to learn while at the conference? What are you most looking forward to engaging with or hearing while there?
I’m hoping to hear stories of innovation and transformation in contemporary libraries.

Ruth Carlyle
Head of Knowledge and Library Services
Health Education England

Keynote: Health literacy for thriving communities: a partnership approach
Wednesday November 10, 1.30pm

Why are you looking forward to speaking at the LIANZA 2021 Conference?
As librarians and knowledge specialists, we all have so much that we can learn from each other. I come from a health librarianship background and I always enjoy the thrill of creating and sharing work and ideas that are relevant to information specialists in other library sectors.
My presentation will focus on the development of sustainable partnerships for “health literacy”, or the skills to access, assess and use health information. The global nature of the current pandemic has emphasised that health literacy is a global challenge, so this is a timely opportunity to share work from England with colleagues in New Zealand.

When you were asked to be a keynote speaker, what went through your mind? Excitement? Panic? Was it a “why me” moment?
I was thrilled to be approached as a potential keynote speaker. In fact, I was so overwhelmed that I had to double-check that the approach really was genuine before responding!
As someone for whom travel is difficult for health reasons, the blended approach makes it possible for me to participate in an event that would not have been feasible with a conventional conference platform. So, on a personal level, this is a tremendous opportunity.
On a professional level, I was delighted that our Knowledge for Healthcare strategic framework for knowledge and library services in the National Health Service (NHS) in England is recognised as a model from which colleagues in New Zealand wanted to learn more.

What do you think you’ll be able to bring to the LIANZA 2021 Conference and the wider library and information sector with your keynote address?
Whichever sector information professionals work in, I hope that they will find the stories about health literacy motivating and inspiring for the roles that we all play.
At a fundamental level, library staff build reading skills that can be applied to leisure or daily living. Building up from literacy, we are all involved in “information literacy” and “digital navigation skills” to find and use information both in print and digital formats. By supporting people to develop these skills, we are providing them with the building blocks for health literacy. In turn, health literacy gives people the tools that they need to make informed decisions about their health and treatment choices.
I hope through the keynote that knowledge and information workers in all sectors will see the contributions that we are all making to health literacy and be motivated to develop partnerships and adopt techniques that embed those health literacy skills.

Can you tell us a bit more about what you’ll be touching on in your keynote address and what you hope attendees take away?
Anyone attending the session will come away with some practical techniques they can apply in their own lives or in their work. Some of these will be techniques that attendees will be able to apply immediately after the session, with links to other tools and learning materials.
Conference delegates will also hear stories about the impact of low health literacy and the difference that applying techniques can make. I will also share the approach that we are taking in England to supporting the skills of the health workforce alongside developing wider partnerships with information providers in local communities to develop the health literacy skills of citizens.

What do you hope to learn while at the conference? What are you most looking forward to engaging with or hearing while there?
Over the past few years, I have had conversations on social media with individual librarians and knowledge specialists in New Zealand. I am greatly looking forward to getting more of a sense of the librarianship community in New Zealand through being a part of the LIANZA 2021 Conference.
In particular, I think we face common challenges in the development of a socially and digitally inclusive world and ensuring equity of access across rural, urban and coastal areas. I look forward to learning more about innovations in New Zealand and opportunities for sharing approaches.

Jehan Casinader
Journalist, author and mental health advocate

Keynote: The power of stories
Wednesday November 19, 3.40pm

Why are you looking forward to speaking at the LIANZA 2021 Conference?
I love talking about storytelling. I know I’ll struggle to stick to my 30-minute slot…

When you were asked to be a keynote speaker, what went through your mind? Excitement? Panic? Was it a “why me” moment?
I put my hand up for it! I love the fact that LIANZA’s members play such an important role in sharing great stories in Aotearoa.

What do you think you’ll be able to bring to the LIANZA 2021 Conference and the wider library and information sector with your keynote address?
It’s been another tough year for all of us. By November, I think many people will be hungry for fresh perspectives on how they can look after their wellbeing. I hope to offer this in my keynote.

Can you tell us a bit more about what you’ll be touching on in your keynote address and what you hope attendees take away?
I’ll speak about the incredible link between personal storytelling and mental health. Each of us is the author of our own story. But most people don't realise that the stories they construct have a profound impact on their psychological wellbeing. I’ll offer tools to help attendees to reclaim authorship of their own stories.

What do you hope to learn while at the conference? What are you most looking forward to engaging with or hearing while there?
I’m looking forward to hearing from great speakers about how we can navigate the uncertainty we’re all facing as we deal with COVID-19.

Jenny Peachey, Georgina Bowyer and Rachel Heydecker
Carnegie UK Trust
Keynote: Engaging Libraries
Wednesday November 10, 1.30pm

Why are you looking forward to speaking at the LIANZA 2021 Conference?
Receiving the invitation to give a keynote speech at the LIANZA 2021 Conference was exciting and a real honour. At Carnegie UK we value collaboration, learning from others, and bringing together ‘unusual friends’ with different perspectives. We are very much looking forward to sharing experiences and learning from the Engaging Libraries programme so far with an international audience, at a conference with such an excellent reputation. At a time of profound change and challenge, we see this an excellent opportunity to share how public libraries across the UK have been building upon and exploring their civic role as safe spaces for participation and engagement with research.

When you were all asked to be a keynote speaker, what went through your mind? Excitement? Panic? Was it a “why us ” moment?
We were really excited to be asked to be keynote speakers, although I think we were a little sad not to be able to attend in person! We’re grateful for the ability to connect over Zoom and be able to speak about public engagement with research to a wide audience.

What do you think you’ll be able to bring to the LIANZA 2021 Conference and the wider library and information sector with your keynote address?
COVID-19 has demonstrated the important role public libraries play in their communities and the opportunities they offer for the public to come into contact with new ideas and points of view. We would like to encourage and inspire those at the conference, and in the wider sector, to consider partnering with universities and other higher education providers to bring the public into contact with research.

Can you tell us a bit more about what you’ll be touching on in your keynote address and what you hope attendees take away?
In our keynote address, we’ll be using three case studies to demonstrate how public libraries have forged partnerships with academia, giving tips and insights about partnership working, and highlighting how libraries have delivered public engagement activities with various audiences. We’d like our audience to become aware of the opportunities that partnerships between public libraries and universities bring, both by connecting people to research and allowing the public to inform and enrich research for the future.

What words of encouragement do each of you have about the ‘future of libraries’ in a world dealing with COVID-19 ?
During the coronavirus crisis, the requirement for accurate and reliable information has been underlined and exacerbated. In the digital world, access to “information” is widespread, but knowing who and what to trust is incredibly difficult. This is where public libraries are vital – they are a trusted source of information in their communities at a time when this is ever more important.

LIANZA THANKS OUR 2021 CONFERENCE PARTNERS FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT

Building Capability and Stronger Communities During Tough Times

30/9/2021

Te Pouhuaki National Librarian Thanks Library Sector

Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa National Library’s New Zealand Libraries Partnership Programme is supporting librarians and library services to be retained during Covid-19, at the same time ensuring librarians play a key role in supporting their communities and people seeking jobs.

Te Pouhuaki National Librarian, Rachel Esson says, “To date, we've worked with 66 out of 67 local authorities to be able to put in place programs that are going to increase the impact that libraries have and I'm really proud of the work that's been done by the library sector making this program successful.

We’ve heard people were concerned about the long-term sustainability of this work. We've been working with the sector to make sure we can put some things in place that mean, when this money finishes, we'll continue to have that positive impact.

The first of three key initiatives revolves around data collection and evidence. We want to be able to provide the data demonstrating the positive impact that libraries have in their communities.

The second is our workforce development strategy. I strongly believe that this is where we can have a huge impact for libraries – increasing the diversity of our workforce, along with the capability and skills we have, in order to support our communities and make sure that libraries are making the best impact they can.

Our third key initiative is a strategic review of National Library’s core services to New Zealand libraries (such as EPIC, Te Puna, Kōtui and APNK services) including recommendations for the sustainability of Services to Libraries over the medium term (3 – 5 years).

I want to thank the library sector all for the work they’ve been doing, we all want to make sure that this recovery programme has the best outcomes for Aotearoa.” Watch Rachel’s video here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q51bXDuej6k

To date, 183 people have been hired and are actively working in public libraries as a direct result of the programme funding.

Subscription charges have been waived for electronic resources and APNK membership to the value of $8.743m over the two financial years.

APNK has been made available free of charge to 50 councils. Four councils (including the Chatham Islands) are in the process of joining APNK and another five have been provided with assistance to keep their public library internet free of charge.

11 Strategic Partnership Grants have been awarded totalling $5.024m for projects that benefit New Zealand’s wider library sector in the long term.

Learning Management System Plays Important Role

A key part of this programme is upskilling librarians, so that they can provide greater support for library users coping with the disruption and change inherent in our COVID reality. Focus areas for development are as diverse as project management, digital inclusion, and te Reo and Mātauranga Māori.

“The need is real and immediate; so has been the response”, say Phil Garing, Managing Director of Synapsys NZ. “Developing qualifications or producing large volumes of training material were never realistic options. Communities need support now, and librarians need development opportunities now.”

The solution? Identify and make available a mix of existing learning opportunities from around the country, ranging from formal courses to snippets of digital media. “If we couldn’t find courses, we built out offerings from existing materials”, says Phil,

“The key to success was mapping the myriad of opportunities to the focus areas for capability development, and then tailoring a learning platform that made it transparent and simple for librarians to find what they needed in a format that suits how they want to learn.”

The Learning Management System (LMS) site went live within 12 weeks with development opportunities available across all priority areas and continues to be built out. And the uptake over four months has been impressive:

175 librarians and 81 managers engaged, 183 enrolled in learning
1887 courses added to learning plans
194 courses completed

The top 10 offerings:

Getting Started with Small Projects
The Resilience Mindset
Engaging and Working with your Community
Crafting the Perfect Marketing Campaign for Community Engagement
Connecting with People and Communities
Working with Specific Groups in the Community
Build your Digital Literacy kete for you and your community
A Creative’s (& Non-Creatives) Heaven: Using Canva To Bring Your Marketing Projects to Life
A framework for Digital Inclusion for your library community
Working with Tāngata Whenua

NZLPP Mahi to be in Hands of Library Sector

Now that we are more than halfway through the funded COVID recovery period, National Library is preparing to start placing the NZLPP mahi into the hands of the sector. From January 2022 the programme will focus on the transition, with the view to wind up most of its activity by June.

Having listened to feedback, hearing concerns around sustainability, the NZLPP team want to ensure that this programme can have longer-term impacts than just the two-year period so that libraries can continue to support their communities to thrive.

The programme reset updates our programme team structure and governance, including shifting the Steering Group into a more strategic role that could be sustained after the programme closure.

The overarching objective of the reset is to prioritise our remaining resources to enable a sustainable and enduring libraries sector that meets community needs and is supported by decision-makers, by:

laying the foundations for a strong data culture and data, research and evidence base on the social and economic value libraries services deliver, and building a compelling narrative on the value of libraries to communities and Aotearoa;
building the infrastructure to support broadening and strengthening libraries workforce capability; and
considering collaborative business models for the sector, and policy and funding options that support sustainable and equitable libraries services across Aotearoa.

The team are also identifying options to assist libraries to more easily transition into the next financial year as the programme funding comes to an end.

What key areas are included?

Workforce Capability: Sector workforce development – this project is being established to work towards addressing inadequate sector capability, by developing a sector workforce capability framework.
Services to Libraries – this project aims to identify service efficiencies and inform future sustainability options for National Library services to the sector, primarily APNK, EPIC, Te Puna and Kōtui.
Libraries Sector Data, Research and Evidence – this project is being established to work towards addressing the insufficiency of data about the libraries sector and evidence of the value of libraries, by developing a sector ‘value proposition’ and data, research and evidence strategy.

When will this happen?
There will be a transition period from January – June 2022 to allow for hand-over of programme work to sector champions and to ensure there is a clear path ahead for the mahi.

What’s happening now?

Procurement: Strategic facilitation and capability to support sustainability initiatives.
Governance Reset: Establishing Programme Board; Reset of Sector Reference Group.

How will this work?
Programme Director, Lewis Brown says, “We want to tap into people’s expertise and ideas along the way to make this successful. Fresh thinking, diverse perspectives and new ways of working will be vital to this mahi.
There will be opportunities to develop your leadership experience and for you to strengthen your sector. We are setting up separate working groups for the next 12 months until the end of the programme and considering how to get the best out of the expertise we’ve drawn on to date. We know you are all busy people and our goal is to be as well-planned as possible for those who join us on our working groups and be as efficient/effective with your time as we can.
We will also be drawing on the capabilities of people outside of the sector to help us with some areas, such as optimising data and gathering insights and recommendations to inform future change.”

Secondee Have Their Say

“I'm enjoying the programme! I find the biweekly zooms really great as a space to talk casually and often find that I come away with new ways of approaching things when discussing them in an informal setting. I'm enjoying the resources that are being shared through slack; I found the takedown procedure that was shared particularly useful for the work I’m doing at the moment. Further, the relationship building is invaluable. A particularly good example of this is that a secondee and I have been in discussions about the ways that our projects overlap and are looking at ways to collaborate where those crossovers are.”

“the programme is going well for me and I enjoy the fortnightly Zoom meetings, as I said I feel those that attend genuinely want to help each other and so are great about sharing ideas. I note that we seem to be from smaller, rural, isolated communities and there is a lot of solo work. I really enjoyed the social media zoom which included people from all the focus groups and I think that is where the general for all channel in Slack is helpful, to begin with I didn't look at Slack but now I look at all the channels as it is all library content and helpful for the overall picture.”

Read more about the New Zealand Libraries Partnership Programme on the National Library’s website.
Article contributed by Helen Heath, Senior Communications Advisor, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa National Library.

LIANZA 2021 Professional Recognition Awards

30/9/2021

Warm congratulations to LIANZA 2021 Professional Recognition Award recipients. Our association has been recognising professional excellence and honouring the contributions made to the library and information profession in New Zealand for 71 years.

LIANZA is approaching a significant milestone. There have now been 99 LIANZA Fellowships awarded since 1964. Perhaps our association can surpass 100 in 2022?

LIANZA Professional Recognition Awards are managed by the LIANZA Credentials Committee and include: Associateships, Awards of Professional Excellence, Letters of Recognition, Joint Letter of Recognition for Bicultural Development and Fellowships.

We thank the LIANZA Credentials Committee for their thoughtful and through consideration of the 2021 nominations and applications. The committee includes Lee Rowe (ALIANZA), Bernie Hawke (FLIANZA), Joan Simpson (ALIANZA), Alison Fields (FLIANZA), Dyane Hosler (ALIANZA), Justine Lester (ALIANZA) and was chaired by Laurinda Thomas (ALIANZA).

Laurinda Thomas says, ““It’s always wonderful to be able to review the nominations and read about the fabulous work people in our profession are doing. It’s really quite an inspiring process to be a part of.”

LIANZA Fellowships

A fellowship is the highest level of professional attainment awarded by LIANZA. It is awarded to a personal member of the association who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, teaching or research qualities, contribution to LIANZA, held library or information management positions for at least 10 years and as a result, has made a significant contribution to the advancement of librarianship and/or information management. Nominations for fellowships must be made by two LIANZA fellows or associates, who provide statements in support and testimonials from at least two members of the library and information profession. Nominees do not need to hold LIANZA Professional Registration or be LIANZA associates prior to being nominated for a LIANZA Fellowship.

Congratulations to Nicki Moen, Sue Fargher, Marion Read, Paula Eskett, Judy McFall McCaffery, and Megan Clark who are awarded LIANZA Fellowships.

Nicki Moen

Nicki has been a library manager and consultant for over 35 years. Throughout, Nicki has demonstrated outstanding leadership and future thinking to help transform New Zealand public libraries. Her strength is the design of library services and facilities attuned to community needs. At Christchurch City Council, Nicki successfully managed a city-wide network of community libraries and several new building projects including Shirley and Fendalton Libraries.

Always the innovator, Nicki established a highly sought-after library planning consultancy in 2005. Her astute perception and direct approach to problem solving helped many libraries achieve more, including the development of several modern, fit for purpose library buildings. Her ability to push the boundaries of what a library can be is evident in her work for Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, Horowhenua’s Cultural and Community Centre, and Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom in Foxton.

Hearing the call of implementing some of her own ideas herself, Nicki is currently the Manager of Arts, Culture and Lifelong Learning at Selwyn District Council. Along with new service developments, her next big contribution will arrive in the form of Te Ara Ātea, a new cultural heritage facility for Rolleston.

Nicki has been described as a visionary with contagious passion. She actively nurtures staff using a coaching model of development. Able to engage and motivate, Nicki has influenced library staff, Council politicians and executives to support libraries in growing strong and caring communities. Nicki is a supportive leader, strong networker, and encourages staff to be involved professionally.

Nicki is dedicated to LIANZA and has contributed widely to roles including council, regional committee member, project lead and advocate. She is a valued member of the Kōtui Board. She shares her knowledge widely in various forums.

Nicki’s strengths in developing transformational library services, her support and mentoring of staff and the sheer breadth and depth of her contribution, mean she is highly deserving of the award of fellowship.

What was your first response when you read the letter advising you had been awarded the highest level of professional recognition by LIANZA? What does this award mean to you?

My story is a little strange … the other night I was having trouble sleeping so I decided to spend a bit of time online. I don’t usually look at my work emails but I did that night. I remember it was 3.30am and I read the email from you, Ana, and the letter from Erica and was shocked to read that I had been awarded a Fellowship. It felt strange, yet very, very special. It was as if I was meant to open my emails in the middle of the night, just that once. I loved having the quiet of night to be able to reflect on this very special news. It is interesting how your career then races in front of your mind and I had a lovely hour just thinking about the people I’ve worked with, the libraries I’ve been in, here in New Zealand and also throughout the world. I also thought about the importance of our professional organisation and how I have always valued my membership. I thought about my mentors, my peers, and the many friends I’ve made as I have worked in our profession. You can image what a delectably rich hour it was as my mind journeyed through so many memories! Thank you

Sue Fargher

Sue Fargher is currently the Manager of the Central Hawkes' Bay District Libraries, a role that she has held for the last 27 years.

In addition to the challenges of leading a smaller rural library service where management is constantly balanced with day-to-day service delivery, Sue has demonstrated an exceptional level of dedication and commitment to her local community and to the library profession.

Sue has been a driving force in the development of the highly successful ECREADn Summer reading programme, having been a member of the inaugural committee and Convenor for the last 10 years. Sue has also presented on the ECREADn programme to LIANZA Conferences and other library professional development events. Under Sue’s convenorship, the Winter Reading and IREAD were also introduced. While providing leadership and vision for the ECREADn programme, Sue has also worked tirelessly on the production and distribution of the programme materials, in addition to her day job as a library manager.

Sue has been a strong advocate for small and medium sized public libraries, being elected to the inaugural committee of the Association of Public Library Managers where she held the portfolio of treasurer.
In 2013, Sue was awarded the LIANZA Ada Fache Scholarship which enabled her to travel to Sydney to attend the By Design: Public Library Places and Spaces in Australia and New Zealand Conference, which provided Sue with valuable insights after the Waipukurau Library was seriously damaged by a 7.4 magnitude earthquake off the east coast and assisted her with the rebuilding and community consultation.

In 2014, Sue responded to a call for Expressions of Interest for the LIANZA Conference Committee and accepted the role of chair of the Programme Committee, a role she ably performed at subsequent conferences with the support of fellow Committee members.

At a personal level, Sue has demonstrated a committed interest and support for her staff as a mentor, and by both encouraging and supporting her staff to explore and pursue professional development opportunities whenever and wherever they arise.

Sue’s leadership and achievements amply support her recognition by the award of a LIANZA Fellowship.

What was your first response when you read the letter advising you had been awarded the highest level of professional recognition by LIANZA? What does this award mean to you?

I was overwhelmed to receive this recognition from my peers. I shed a tear or two and after telling Tom I immediately rang my daughters. I feel very privileged to be receiving this LIANZA award.

Marion Read

Marion’s career in libraries has spanned over four decades. She has had a huge impact not only on those who worked directly with her, but also to library services, facilities, and the wider library community throughout much of New Zealand.

Marion’s itinerant life and numerous leadership roles have enabled her to impact many libraries, mostly public, including Tokoroa, Whangarei, Tauranga, Rodney, Auckland, and Upper Hutt. Her successes include building projects for both the new Wellsford and Devonport Libraries, as well as the refurbishment of Takapuna, Northcote, and Upper Hutt Libraries.

The development of staff to enable the delivery of the Best Customer Experience programme across the Auckland Northern Libraries was one of Marion’s key outcomes, which she later took with her to implement in Upper Hutt Libraries.

Marion has provided outstanding and sustained leadership and management through her warm and encouraging personality, enthusiasm and passion for libraries, mentorship of staff, a relentlessly positive attitude, juggling of multiple projects, business acumen, and direct involvement in wider professional spheres including library and community organisations.

Marion’s list of involvements is substantial and includes roles as Chair or Convenor of the Association of Public Libraries, the ITPNZ Libraries Forum, LIANZA Public Libraries Special Interest Group and the LIANZA 1990 Whangarei Mini-Conference; and membership of the Kōtui Managers Executive Group, the APNK Advisory Group, eLGAR Board, and LIANZA Council. In 1993 Marion was awarded the G.T. Alley Fellowship allowing her to travel to the United States to observe funding options of middle-sized public libraries and on return compiled the “New Zealand Libraries Funding Kit” to strengthen the funding base of New Zealand libraries.

Marion has contributed greatly to the success of library staff and users, library facilities and services, and to the wider communities that libraries can reach. Her impact will be felt for generations. Marion is highly deserving of the award of a LIANZA Fellowship.

What was your first response when you read the letter advising you had been awarded the highest level of professional recognition by LIANZA? What does this award mean to you?

I was totally overwhelmed and speechless with the news and very humbled that colleagues thought enough of me to put the mahi into doing the nomination – there is a lot of work in preparing a nomination and I really appreciate it.
Being awarded the LIANZA Fellowship means so much to me. Since starting my first management role in Tokoroa forty two years ago I have always tried to make a positive difference both for our customers and the staff I work with. During this time I have met and worked with many amazing people who have been wonderful inspirational role models who helped shape my career. Being awarded the LIANZA Fellowship not only recognises the contribution to librarianship that I have been able to provide, but also all the fabulous people that have walked with me, and challenged me on my journey. To me this award is a culmination of my work and achievements in my career to date, and I do intend to be around for a while yet. I am absolutely blown away with the recognition of the Award so thank you everyone involved.

Megan Clark

We would like to award Megan Clark a LIANZA Fellowship. This is in recognition of her sustained professional contribution including her outstanding leadership and advocacy within the health sector and for being an active and visible member of LIANZA.

Megan is described by her colleagues as a high performing professional librarian with a strong client service focus. She is also referred to as one of the most experienced health librarians in New Zealand, with a very extensive knowledge of medical and health information resources and their application within both educational and clinical environments.

Megan has several significant achievements that demonstrate her positive impact on the library sector. This includes her significant achievement in the areas of teaching and research, and research-based medicine. Megan was central to a research project that resulted in improvements for the way doctors are taught to source information to make clinical decisions. This work has been widely cited and has been recognised by the Ministry of Health.

A second significant achievement is the work she did with the Ministry of Health to investigate and recommend the development of an electronic health library that would be accessible across district health boards. Although this didn’t lead to the envisioned library it did mean that centralised purchasing for key health information resources such as Cochrane Systematic Reviews was ensured. Cochrane systematic reviews are now purchased nationally, and all New Zealanders have free access to reliable up-to-date evidence on medical interventions. The impact of this can’t be underestimated.

Megan’s teaching experience through her work also meant that she was well placed to contribute to the teaching of health information courses through Victoria University’s Library and Information Studies programme. These were offered as special topics and co-ordinated by Emeritus Professor Rowena Cullen.

Megan has also been an inspiring and supportive mentor to many library colleagues in the health sector over the years. We believe that Megan is highly deserving of the award of LIANZA Fellowship.

What was your first response when you read the letter advising you had been awarded the highest level of professional recognition by LIANZA? What does this award mean to you?

My first response to receiving the news was one of elation. To be awarded a LIANZA Fellowship by my peers means so much to me. I felt honoured and grateful to my anonymous nominees for considering me a worthy recipient. My 43 years of active LIANZA membership has been really important to me. I believe everything I have put in to LIANZA has been returned many times over in personal and professional development, life-long friends and colleagues. It is still a bit hard to believe it.

Paula Eskett

Paula is currently the Waimakariri District Council Libraries Manager.

Paula’s library career started in at Christchurch City Libraries before a move to Riccarton High School as their library manager, initially at the school, and then as part of the Upper Riccarton School and Community Library. She has carried this passion for learning, teaching and research throughout her career, as a content writer for the Open Polytechnic LIS courses, in Services to Schools at the National Library, her work at CORE Education where she was the first non-teacher to be awarded a CORE Education eFellowship, and her LIANZA advocacy, and as a mentor to colleagues throughout the profession.

Paula has served on the LIANZA Aoraki committee, was the convenor of the LIANZA 2017 Conference, and was LIANZA President 2018-9. She has represented LIANZA with IFLA, including our World Library and Information Congress bid, Government ministers, and on multiple forums.
Paula is currently a commissioner for the Library and Information Advisory Commission.

Paula has been a vocal advocate of the contribution that libraries make to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. As a result of her passion, she has represented New Zealand on the topic to audiences in Australia, Canada, Portugal, Bangladesh, and across the world via Zoom, highlighting the possibilities, and the achievements of New Zealand in this area. She has also been heavily involved with promoting Creative Commons, receiving an IoL2 Fellowship to the Institute of Open Leadership in South Africa, presenting at Creative Commons Global Summits and is a graduate of the Creative Commons global certificate programme.

Paula shares her knowledge and skills willingly, having published multiple research papers, being interviewed on the radio, and presenting at multiple conferences every year.

Paula’s continued exceptional advocacy, her warm and enthusiastic representation of LIANZA and New Zealand, and her range of achievements make her a worthy recipient of a LIANZA Fellowship.

What was your first response when you read the letter advising you had been awarded the highest level of professional recognition by LIANZA? What does this award mean to you?

To be honest, my first reaction was tears and utter disbelief.

After holding off for the last few years, and finding excuses to not put myself forward for a LIANZA associateship candidacy, it was the last thing I expected to read.

Peer to peer recognition means an exceptional amount to me. Our profession, our people and the diversity of the sectors we work in has motivated, stimulated and inspired me for many, many years.

To be nominated for a LIANZA Fellowship by peers who you admire, trust and have enormous professional respect actually means more to me than a formal certificate for something I’ve worked towards.

Equally important to me is knowing the mahi, commitment and grit of those who have gained LIANZA Fellowships before. Looking at the names of people awarded LIANZA Fellowships from as far back as 1964, there are names that I know of, and influencers I have worked for and with. The ground they’ve broken, the communities they’ve served, the disruptive innovation they have led and the inspiration they’ve been as they’ve continually positioned, advocated for and repositioned the value position, and place for libraries in the eye of their communities, stakeholders and politically, has laid the path for us all working in this amazing profession.

Receiving a LIANZA Fellowship Award is an incredible career highlight.

Tangata ako ana i te kāenga, te tūranga ki te marae, tau ana.
A person nurtured in the community contributes strongly to society

Judy McFall-McCaffery

Judy Taligalu McFall-McCaffery is awarded a LIANZA Fellowship in recognition of her sustained and significant leadership in the library community, particularly her contribution to Pacific peoples through librarianship and tautua (service) to the Pacific community.

Judy is the Pacific Academic Engagement Advisor at Te Tumu Herenga University of Auckland, where her work promotes Pacific success in learning, teaching and research, raises visibility, and implements academic engagement activities.

Judy is committed to growing the capacity of our profession to provide high-quality services to Pacific peoples in New Zealand and in the Pacific region.

As a key founding member of the LIANZA Pasifika Information Management Network (PIMN) in 2004, and as a LIANZA SIG in 2009, Judy has always provided strong leadership to the group, as the group’s first convenor, and then mentoring others into the different roles needed to run the group. PIMN has grown into a well-established and regarded special interest group, with Judy being, to quote one of her nominees “the glue that makes the SIG one of the most dynamic and rewarding SIGS for people to belong to”. Judy was one of the main lynchpins behind the very successful LIANZA 2019 Conference in Manukau, in bringing together a memorable, influential, and distinctly Pasifika conference, to wide acclaim.

Judy is recognised nationally and internationally, with vast relationships throughout New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and worldwide. She has continued to encourage strong connections between the library profession in New Zealand, and the wider Pacific Islands. She is also active in her research, including strategies for recruitment and retention of Pacific in the library and information management profession; Pacific information literacy, Pacific languages policy and biliteracy, and Pacific research models and methodologies.

In recognition of the high regard Judy is held in, she has the matai title Umumaluolelagi Judy Taligalu McFall-McCaffery, which is an honour in the Samoan culture. Her values of fa’aaloalo (respect), mafana (warmth), ofa (love) and a’iga (family), are present in all that she does, continuing to help the sector thrive by encouraging youth into the world of whare taonga. Judy is a worthy recipient of a LIANZA Fellowship.

What was your first response when you read the letter advising you had been awarded the highest level of professional recognition by LIANZA? What does this award mean to you?

Malo le soifua, Malo e lelei, Kia ora koutou Warm Pacific greetings - It is very humbling to be considered and given this recognition by the profession. After reading it first time, I took a break and came back and read it again to make sure 😊.
Fa’afetai tele lava! My grateful thanks and appreciation to those who made the recommendation and the citation, as this is as much for Pasifika as it is for my aiga. This is a shared award with all those amazing colleagues, friends and whanau in the profession and in the community too many to name. I would not have been able to do and continue to do this mahi without you all, your support and aroha. O le tele o sulu e maua ai figota – Our strength comes from many. Ia manuia.

LIANZA Associateship

A LIANZA associateship is a significant professional achievement and demonstrates commitment to professional learning, the impact the applicant makes in their workplace and contribution to the wider library and information sector. Applicants can apply for a LIANZA Associateship right from the early stages of their career.

Congratulations to Paula Eskett and Jacinta Osman who are awarded LIANZA Associateships.

Jacinta Osman

Jacinta is currently the Senior Librarian, Collections at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology.

Jacinta’s career started in Tauranga District Libraries, before moving into Special Libraries at PricewaterhouseCoopers, working her way up to the position of Research Manager. In 2013 she joined the team at Toi Ohomai, in Technical Services.

Jacinta is customer focused, continually looking for ways to improve the customer experience. She was a key member of the project team that launched a new library management system and discovery service at Toi Ohomai. This involved merging two legacy systems into one and was described by senior leadership as “being the smoothest IT project they had ever worked on”, with Jacinta going on to co-present on the experience at Kohacon20.

She was also heavily involved in the merger of Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and Waiariki Institute of Technology to become Toi Ohomai Institute of technology. This involved starting over for both organisations, deciding the libraries’ philosophy, borrowing policies, and ways of working together.

Jacinta has a strong strategic focus, considering a wide range of perspectives. At the heart of her approach is how best Toi Ohomai Library can develop its services to increase the success of students and be a supportive partner for teaching, including training and mentoring other library staff.
Jacinta is a deserving recipient of a LIANZA Associateship.

Firstly, congratulations – your award is so well deserved. LIANZA is keen to encourage more people to put themselves forward for an associateship. I can imagine there might be a bit of imposter syndrome nagging at the back of your mind when you do it, even if you really deserve it! Can you please comment on why you applied for the associateship and if you would advocate that others do so also? Did you get a nudge from a friend or colleague?

I am lucky to have a very supportive manager who has been encouraging me to apply for the last 3 years. I think that many people don’t realise that the Associateship is actually aimed at mid-career librarians, and so many librarians who think they would not be successful in getting an Associateship would actually be fully eligible. I definitely recommend considering applying, and if you’re unsure as to whether you would be eligible, contact a member of the LIANZA Credentials Committee. It’s also a great way of showing your commitment to the Library sector and being able to reflect on everything you’ve achieved.

What would you say to people who feel awkward or unsure about putting themselves forward?

I would say feel the fear and do it anyway! It helped me to think of the Associateship as more of an additional qualification, rather than an award. Along with my Professional Registration, it’s recognition of the career I’ve created and what I’ve learned in the 20+ years since I graduated with my MLIS degree. I think in New Zealand we naturally have a reluctance to make a big deal of our achievements but we need to take time to celebrate what we’ve accomplished, and applying for the Associateship was a great way of doing that for myself.

Paula Eskett

Paula is a deserving recipient of a LIANZA Associateship. She can use both LIANZA Associateship and Fellowship post-nominals, having successfully met the criteria for both awards.

LIANZA Letters of Recognition

A LIANZA Letter of Recognition is awarded to an individual or organisation that has rendered a significant and special service to the library and information profession within New Zealand Aotearoa or demonstrated commitment to the profession over a period of time. Any individual, group or organisation is eligible with no membership requirement and is nominated at least two LIANZA members.

Congratulations to Annie McKillop, Claudine Tapsell, and Natalie Smith are awarded LIANZA Letters of Recognition.

Annie McKillop

Annie is awarded a LIANZA Letter of Recognition for her contributions to the LIANZA Research SIG.

Annie chaired this special interest group 2015 to 2021 during which time the group delivered two one-day symposia in Auckland, attracting delegates from across the country. She helped to develop a research tool kit and advocated for and organised the allocation of two research awards. Most recently, she initiated a partnership with LIANZA TEL SIG, and together the two special interest groups organised the highly successful two-day symposium in Wellington, Tātou Tātou Gather and Grow in February 2021.

LIANZA RES SIG, under her guidance, has raised awareness of the importance of evidence-based practice and shown that conducting research to inform decisions is something we all can and should do. The symposia in particular, have provided a much-needed platform to share the “how-to” and “why-this-matters” of research-based decision making in libraries across Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Finally, Annie nurtured emerging professionals, encouraging them, along with experienced librarians, to contribute to this vibrant and collegial group, thus proving that LIANZA social interest group membership can be both rewarding and fun!

Congratulations, Annie.

What was your first response when you read the letter advising you were the recipient of a LIANZA Letter of Recognition ? What does the award mean to you?

Wow what an unexpected honour, and especially as during my LIANZA RES-SIG experience I feel I learned more than I gave. We get so much more back than we put in - there is a magic formula around giving and receiving! It was enormously fulfilling, and of course challenging. I grew so much professionally and personally from being in, and then chairing LIANZA RES-SIG. And I have used those skills and my new confidence in "service leadership" in other aspects of my career and personal life. I feel sad not to be in libraries any more, but I am still using those skills believe me!

Claudine Tapsell

Claudine is awarded a LIANZA Letter of Recognition for her contribution to reading engagement as a young adult librarian.

Claudine systematically removes barriers to reading for ākonga, delivering the highly successful Reading Engagement Across the Curriculum Programme. The programme has been adopted as part of the year 9 curriculum in both English and Health, demonstrating how reading is connected to hauora. The kaupapa of the programme is to promote reading for enjoyment and connect readers to literature in a format appropriate to their individual needs, with the programme now reaching well over a thousand mixed-ability students each year and seeing significant results in student achievement.

Claudine’s extensive knowledge of Young Adult Fiction has allowed her to guide students of all abilities towards a text that speaks to them. As one teacher described:
“Nothing was a problem, and the class, full of mostly reluctant and struggling readers, have all engaged with their text and written some great responses. I would have been at a loss without her wide knowledge of texts”.

Claudine has shared her knowledge, presenting at SLANZA, LIANZA Aoraki Weekend School and CETA.

Congratulations, Claudine.

What was your first response when you read the letter advising you were the recipient of a LIANZA Letter of Recognition ? What does the award mean to you?

Upon hearing that I had received this LIANZA Letter of Recognition I was thrilled that my mahi in the area of Reading Engagement in High Schools had obtained such a wonderful acknowledgement. I am incredibly appreciative of the people who contributed to my nomination.

I am 100% committed to removing barriers that prevent our rangatahi from accessing and enjoying reading, and I feel honoured to have received this award which recognises the value and importance of library run reading engagement programmes for our ākonga.

Natalie Smith

Natalie Smith is awarded a Letter of Recognition for her contributions to LIANZA.

Natalie is currently the co-convenor of LIANZA TEL SIG, helping to grow the committee and creating a swell of interest an activity in the SIG events.

She co-led the highly successful Tātou Tātou: Gather and Grow symposium, run jointly by the LIANZA Research SIG and TEL SIG.

At the same time, she has been on the Strategic Leadership and Governance Group Review of LIANZA, bringing her tertiary and school library perspectives to the work. This involved reviewing the current governance model, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and looking at the relationships both within LIANZA and externally with stakeholders.

Natalie is on the conference committee for this year’s conference and is also on the committee for LIANZA Te Ūpoko o te Ika a Maui.

Natalie’s amazing work ethic, organisation, enthusiasm, and engagement has made her a valued asset to the work of the association.

Congratulations, Natalie.

What was your first response when you read the letter advising you were the recipient of a LIANZA Letter of Recognition ? What does the award mean to you?

When I read that I had received this award, I was surprised as it was unexpected, and made my day. The award encourages me to continue supporting LIANZA and provides acknowledgement and recognition for doing so.

LIANZA Joint Letter of Recognition for Bicultural Development

The LIANZA Joint Letter of Recognition can be awarded to individuals, groups or organisations for outstanding bicultural contribution to librarianship, libraries or information management in Aotearoa New Zealand. Any individual, group or organisation is eligible with no membership, or other requirement and nominations are made by one LIANZA member and one Te Rōpu Whakahau member.

Congratulations to Mohan Lal who is awarded a LIANZA Joint Letter of Recognition for Bicultural Development

Mohan Lal

Mohan is awarded a LIANZA Joint Letter of Recognition for Bicultural Development.

Mohan is actively engaged in connecting with tangata whenua both within Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and with iwi and hapu in the rohe where he lives. This relationship has won him praise from the iwi and hapu within Te Arawa, and his is currently writing the biography of a prominent Te Arawa kaumatua, Te Ariki Morehu.

At LIANZA Te Whakakitenga aa Kaimai Weekend Schools, he has led pohiri as Kaikōrero. He has extensive knowledge of Māori information sources, Land Court Minute Books, and iwi and hapu histories.

He has written articles for journals and presented papers at Regional, National, and International conferences regarding engaging tangata whenua in the wharepukapuka space, underpinned by tikanga and āhuatanga Māori. He has created and practices a framework called the pōhiri poutama model of service delivery, underpinned by Māori worldview.

As a member and chair of Te Whakakitenga aa Kaimai regional committee, he has supported the committee through their journey with Mātauranga Māori, tikanga and the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Congratulations, Mohan.

What was your first response when you read the letter advising you were the recipient of a LIANZA Letter Joint Letter of Recognition ? What does the award mean to you?

I was excited to have received the award. It means a lot to me, especially being recognised by my peers for the work I love to do. This award will motivate me to do more in the future to build a strong bicultural focus in everything to do for the library community and to tauira with whom I work.

Call for judges of the 2022 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults

30/9/2021

The organisers of the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults are inviting expressions of interest from members and followers of the children’s literature community who would like to be considered as judges of the 2022 awards.

The New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults are made in six categories: Picture Book, Junior Fiction, Young Adult Fiction, Non-Fiction, Illustration and te reo Māori (Te Kura Pounamu Award). A total of five judges will be appointed for the English language categories. Te Kura Pounamu Award is judged by a separate panel appointed by Te Rōpū Whakahau, the national body representing Māori within the Library and Information profession in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Applications to judge are now open to all those with suitable qualifications and experience, and will close on 29 October. Entries for the 2022 awards will open on 17 November and the judges will begin their reading in mid-December.

Alan Dingley convenor of judges 2021 New Zealand Children Book Awrds for Children and Young Adults. Image credit: Ana Pickering

Anne Morgan of the New Zealand Book Awards Trust, which governs the awards, says applications are welcomed from both the children’s literature community and members of the public with relevant experience. The organisers particularly welcome expressions of interest from applicants with a deep knowledge of te ao Māori and te reo Māori.

“Our past panels have included librarians, teachers, authors, publishers, academics, reviewers and bloggers. There’s no denying the magnitude of the commitment, but the reward outweighs it – what could be more satisfying than immersing yourself in assessing the best New Zealand books of the year for young readers and celebrating the importance of books and reading?” she says.

Convenor of the 2021 judges, school librarian Alan Dingley, says it was an amazing experience. “Being able to spend a year involved in reading, judging, and collaborating with some of the sharpest minds connected to children’s literature refreshed my passion for books, and honed my radar for what I want to share with young readers. This was no quiet amble across the New Zealand literacy field, it was a joyous gallop through the pages of over 150 books, leaving me looking at the landscape of books for children and young people in Aotearoa with new eyes … and gosh it's looking good.”

The English language judges will deliberate over what is expected to be at least 150 entries in five categories. They will select up to five finalists in each, and also up to five Best First Book finalists, then a winner in each category.

The call for entries in the 2022 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults will go out to publishers on 17 November 2021. Finalists will be announced in early June 2022, and the awards ceremony is planned for early to mid-August in Wellington.

Expressions of interest forms and background information on the judging process and judges’ responsibilities can be downloaded from the New Zealand Book Awards Trust website or supplied on request by emailing childrensawards@nzbookawards.org.nz. Applications must be submitted by 5pm on Friday 29 October, and should include a brief resume demonstrating the applicant’s experience for the judging role.

The judging panel will be selected by the New Zealand Book Awards Trust, which includes representatives from the Publishers Association of New Zealand; the New Zealand Society of Authors; LIANZA, the association for library and information professionals in New Zealand; and Booksellers Aotearoa New Zealand.

Stephen Clothier - judge for NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults 2021. Image Credit: Ana Pickering

The New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults are made possible through the generosity, commitment and vision of funders and sponsors Creative New Zealand, HELL Pizza, Wright Family Foundation, LIANZA, Wellington City Council and Nielsen Book.

Anahera Morehu Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Award NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults 2021. Image credit: Ana Pickering

Link to more information on NZ Book Awards Trust website:
http://www.nzbookawards.nz/new-zealand-book-awards-for-children-and-young-adults/news/

Released on behalf of the New Zealand Book Awards Trust by:
Belinda Cooke, manager@nzbookawards.org.nz, tel 021 481044

LIANZA and Te Rōpū Whakahau Partnership

29/9/2021

Rachel Esson (LIANZA Past President), Erica Rankin (LIANZA President), Kim Taunga (LIANZA President - elect) & Anahera Morehu (LIANZA Immediate Past President). Image credit: Ana Pickering

LIANZA is reviewing its strategic leadership governance and organisational structure and aims to position the association for the future. During this review, dialogue between LIANZA Council and Te Rōpū Whakahau Ngā Kaiwhakahau has enabled the partnership between our two associations to be re-examined. The 25th anniversary of this partnership celebrated in 2020 was a significant milestone for both associations.

Our partnership is implicit in the current LIANZA constitution; the Te Rōpū Whakahau Tumuaki is one of the ‘officers’ and Te Rōpū Whakahau appoint one of the LIANZA Council members. In addition, the LIANZA Council quorum must include at least one Te Rōpū Whakahau representative.

In 2020, LIANZA Council and Te Rōpū Whakahau Ngā Kaiwhakahau planned to engage more strategically with a noho marae, however this was held online, due to travel restrictions.

During the current considerations about the LIANZA rules, some changes have been proposed by Te Rōpū Whakahau, discussed at member hui around the country and debated by LIANZA Council.

Te Rōpū Whakahau Tumuaki Carla Jeffrey explains, “The proposed LIANZA governance changes provide an opportune time to consider the current relationship between Te Rōpū Whakahau and LIANZA. Te Rōpū Whakahau has decided that the requirement for two representatives to sit on council is unnecessary to enable our partnership to flourish. Te Rōpū Whakahau has discussed this with our members, who are in agreement and excited to explore how we can partner with LIANZA in the future. We have not made any other decisions and will continue to explore how to change and grow our partnership with LIANZA”

A new clause ‘LIANZA will work in partnership with Te Rōpū Whakahau’ will be added to the LIANZA constitution to make the partnership more explicit. LIANZA Council will also appoint one councillor with skills that include Tikanga and Mātauranga Māori knowledge.

LIANZA President, Erica Rankin shares, “I look forward to working with our Te Rōpū Whakahau colleagues to progress a new way of working together to develop a shared understanding of what our partnership entails and how we can capitalise on this for the benefit of our members. I think this is a wonderful opportunity to build on the strong relationship and history which exists between the two organisations and I am excited about what the future will bring.”

LIANZA Council and Te Rōpū Whakahau Nga Kaiwhakahau intend to continue to engage strategically at annual hui. LIANZA Executive and Te Rōpū Whakahau intend to meet by early next year to plan the hui and begin re-negotiating the partnership agreement. The partnership will enable LIANZA to ask Te Rōpū Whakahau for advice, and enable the two associations to focus on strengthening mutual support.

Paula Eskett (LIANZA President) & Cellia Joe-Olsen (Te Rōpū Whakahau Tumuaki). Image credit: Ana Pickering

LIANZA Council Strategic Planning Meeting 2021. Image credit: Ana Pickering

How has the review been conducted?

LIANZA has provided leadership to the wider library and information profession for 110 years and currently operates under its own Act of Parliament (Library Act 1939). It has a strong national network, active community of members, a strong volunteer base, an established profile with the government, strong international connections, and serves all parts of the diverse library and information sector. However, the current governance structure has been in place since the early 1990s and a review has been done to ensure that the association is future-ready. LIANZA also needs to be prepared for the introduction of the new Incorporated Societies Act and this governance review will ensure our rules are ready for changes required for incorporation. A working group was formed in February 2020 and examined the current governance structure, interviewed a wide range of professionals in the sector, identified strengths and weaknesses with the current LIANZA model, and evaluated alternative governance models. An interim report was presented to the LIANZA Council in June 2020. A smaller governance working group established in September 2020 considered the interim recommendations, refined the organisational model and developed a change proposal and a consultation plan. Initial feedback was sought in early June 2021 from current or past members of LIANZA Council, standing committees, regional or special interest community groups, or working groups. LIANZA Council considered this valuable feedback in July.

LIANZA Executive Director, Ana Pickering hosted in-person member events in July and August with hui in Hamilton, Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington and Christchurch. The Dunedin hui was cancelled due to lockdowns. Two online hui were also held in August and over 60 members have attended the in-person or online hui. Members were presented with proposals for governance, advisory and operational changes. Te Rōpū Whakahau Tumuaki Carla Jeffery, LIANZA Immediate Past President and former Te Rōpū Whakahau Tumuaki Anahera Morehu and Cellia Joe Olsen, also a former Te Rōpū Whakahau Tumuaki joined these member hui to present their perspectives and thoughts.
LIANZA has a set of rules or constitution and a code of practice. Governance changes require member approval at an annual general meeting. However proposed advisory and operational changes are part of the LIANZA Code of Practice and do not require member approval.

The feedback from the member hui has been considered by LIANZA Council, and legal advice is now being sought on the draft governance rules.

LIANZA Members have been given the opportunity to provide feedback online and will receive the proposed constitution prior to the LIANZA Annual General Meeting to be held on Wednesday November 10, 2021.

Check out the proposed LIANZA organisational changes HERE >>

LIANZA 2021 Regional Community Conference Grants – our successful applicants

7/9/2021

LIANZA is thrilled to announce the successful applicants for the LIANZA 2021 Regional Community Conference Grants. The grant will provide $500 towards the costs of attending the bi-ennial LIANZA conference for each of the successful candidates.

These conference grants are funded through the LIANZA Community Contestable Fund established in 2019. All applications were assessed by a LIANZA regional selection panel and the five successful applications approved by LIANZA Council.

Congratulations to all our successful applicants. You can read why they applied for a grant and what they are looking forward to attending at the conference in November.

LIANZA Hikuwai
Megan Hindmarsh
Far North District Libraries

Attending the LIANZA conference 2021 will be an awesome professional development opportunity to keep current with the services I deliver so I can continue positively enhancing community interactions at our new Library. I am currently completing my LIANZA Professional Registration application and attending LIANZA conference will greatly assist in supporting this step in my professional development.

Kawakawa has a high Maori population demographic with Te Reo Maori fluency, living in some of New Zealand's lowest socio-economic rural communities. 90 percent of the children and youth who attend our programmes are Maori and I want to deliver tailored services that help get them on the literacy ladder early and foster a life-long love of learning. I want to attend Decolonising our Libraries and Communities: Ma to rourou, Community engagement through a Maori lens - To gain understanding of the unique lens of Te Ao Maori. Maori story telling and the history of NZ - I am currently working on bilingual storytimes and culture of normalised daily Te Reo usage. Responding to the call of whanau Maori, indigenising library practice - we have made a commitment to operate using Te Ao Maori principles but have more to learn in this area. Indigenous identity and sovereignty in the digital space - We are moving from a show and tell toward an exploratory digital creation model in our robotics programs and indigenous identity and sovereignty in this space. Future reading - Decolonising the pacific library - rethinking the library of the future - We are on a journey of future-thinking, which includes working towards de-colonial thinking in our policies and planning. Cultural reciprocity - Organisational accountability - Te Tiriti O Waitangi in practice - organisational accountability is something we've had to work through with our Ngati Hine partners on the Te Hononga project. Growing a nation of readers in Aotearoa - Working with tamariki and rangatahi in libraries to meet our literacy-ladder and lifelong learning goals. Spilling the tea on getting library teens in the library.

LIANZA Te Whakakitenga aa Kaimai
Sandra Quinn RLIANZA
Taupo District Libraries

I have never been to a LIANZA conference. I have been relishing the increase in availability of training webinars provided by LIANZA and “virtually” attending this year's conference is an opportunity I am excited about. I have worked in numerous roles in public libraries and have been lucky enough to secure a secondment role this year through the New Zealand Libraries Partnership Programme.

My secondment role as Engagement and Outreach Co-ordinator is allowing me to step “outside” the library far more and consider how we can better connect to contribute to a community wellbeing. Engaging with our community is key to this role and I would particularly like to attend the following sessions:

Engaging Libraries - Jenny Peachey, Georgina Bowyer & Rachel Heydecker
The Public Library Will Never Die - Jane Stratton
User unknown: Where are the uncounted? - Workshop
Decolonising our libraries and communities - Glenis Philip-Barbara

LIANZA Ikaroa
Fionna Campbell RLIANZA
Eastern Institute of Technology

I have worked in library and information professions for many years but have never quite managed to make it to a LIANZA conference - this was going to be the year for me to finally get there after spending many years completing my Masters in Information Studies and gaining registration earlier this year. I foremost see this professional development opportunity as a great space to meet, engage, get inspiration, and share ideas with colleagues across different areas of the library sector.

I currently work for an academic library in collections, which I very much enjoy.

I have also worked in public and special libraries (with also a long stint in publishing). After looking through the conference schedule, I found it filled with a plethora of papers, lightening talks, keynote speakers and workshops that I would wish to attend - very hard to choose! Of particular interest to my current work are the sessions on information and digital literacy as enabling solid information literacy skills to our students is crucial. This is where the sessions on textbooks, resource sharing models, being future ready, square peg solutions, Open up! and the workshop on digital dexterity would be pertinent. I'm also keen to check out the book launch - very applicable to my work!

The sessions on decolonising the library and pacific library, indigenising library practice and maintaining the momentum with diversity are also of particular relevance to my workplace, where we are endeavouring to make the library and learning area a welcoming space for all learners. Diversity, equity and inclusion are key to the library where I work so I am keen to hear speakers in this area and take new ideas and inspiration back to my workspace.

LIANZA Aoraki
Bernadette Cassidy RLIANZA
New Zealand Spinal Trust

I manage a small specialist health library and have very few opportunities to network with my peers, in addition, the isolated nature of my work environment makes professional development challenging. However, professional development events and conferences where most of my peers are gathered in one place, helps to break the isolation as well as assist me with the continuing development of my library service.

Attending the LIANZA 2021 conference is an important part of my professional development and will provide a valuable opportunity for me to network with other colleagues from all over New Zealand and internationally. As a consequence, this conference is a great opportunity for me to learn of new connections and developments in the library sector.

The LIANZA 2021 conference theme 'Thriving together” in particular the sub themes: community support, engagement and transformation; enabling literacies and innovation are specifically relevant. For example I am very interested in the keynotes which focus on: the future of health libraries; health literacy for thriving communities, Future ready: equipping information professionals for the digital age. I am also interested in a number of workshops e.g. Dementia friendly book groups; Marketing the library; Building inclusivity with Universal Deign; Smell of an oily rag: innovation in a special library.

LIANZA Murihiku
Abigail Tarbotton RLIANZA

The last LIANZA Conference I attended was the one in Auckland in 2014. I am particularly interested in the following themes in the conference – diversity, equity, and inclusion and enabling literacies. My main interests are around research, social media, literacies and community engagement – and there are plenty of sessions that cater for these! There are a few virtual sessions I am very excited to attend. One of these is “Audience #engagement: Creating communities of practice on social media” by Rida Malik.

I am passionate about using social media to connect and engage with communities (both library users, but also librarians) and have written and presented on the use of Twitter numerous times at library conferences and in a workplace setting for my (non-library) colleagues. I am also looking forward to “A triple blended e-learning model” by Dahlia Han, as it relates to the work I do with marking and encouraging students engaged in online Library & Information Studies courses. The keynotes and speakers sound fascinating, but I am particularly looking forward to the first keynote by Glenis Philip Barbara on decolonising libraries – this is a topic I have heard a bit around, but very keen to learn more.

NB: No applications were received for LIANZA Te Upoko te Ika a Maui.
If a LIANZA Conference Grant is not granted in a particular region for a specific year, it is not be transferred to another regional community and remains in the LIANZA Community Contestable fund.

LIANZA offers virtual registrations to library staff in Pacific

6/9/2021

LIANZA is delighted to offer professionals and staff working in libraries and information management sector in Pacific countries the opportunity to receive a funded virtual registration to the LIANZA 2021 Conference this November.

This support is made possible by LIANZA-held funds that were intended to support the New Zealand Aotearoa hosting of the IFLA World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) in 2022. This event was cancelled and the fund is now being used to encourage participation in the activities of LIANZA and to support New Zealand and Pasifika librarians. In 2021 this fund has been used to support attendance at the recent IFLA WLIC 2021 online and is also offered to support participation in the LIANZA 2021 Conference online.

Read more about the LIANZA 2021 Conference programme and check if you want to attend this virtual event.

LIANZA 2021 Conference
9-11 November, 2021
https://lianza.org.nz/events/lianza-2021-conference/

The Library and Information Association of New Zealand Te Rau Herenga O Aotearoa (LIANZA) biennial conference invites our community to thrive together and captures our aspirations as we work through COVID recovery in a spirit of collaboration. The conference in New Zealand will provide a vital platform for unexpected professional conversations and inspirational ideas, with cross-sector kōrero focused on challenges and opportunities facing our sector. The virtual conference experience will enable even more people from our professional community to engage in a LIANZA conference than ever before. Delegates will have access to online platform content, for the day(s) registered, for two months post-conference.

The LIANZA 2021 Conference this year has so much going on!

15 keynote speakers
55 papers
32 lighting talks
Five panels
Three sector kōrero
13 interactive workshops
and a debate - the first in living memory.

LIANZA is offering 10 funded virtual registrations to professionals and staff working in libraries and the information management sector in Pacific countries including American Samoa, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

Applications

To apply for one of the TEN funded virtual registration please fill in the form by Friday October 8, 5pm (NZT)

Selection

If demand exceeds supply, the LIANZA will make a selection with the support of the LIANZA Pacific Information Management Network Special Interest Group (LIANZA PIMN-SIG).
You will be advised if your application has been successful by Friday October 15, 2021
LIANZA will register you for the conference and you will receive confirmation directly.

Library News - Top 10 takeaways from IFLA WLIC 2021

2/9/2021

Image credit: Rebecca Keenan.

As New Zealand entered Level 4 lockdown, I was in the middle of attending the first day of the 86th IFLA WLIC 2021, held online for the first time. I received a grant to attend from the ALA’s International Relations Round Table, which I joined as an individual member for a reasonable price earlier this year.

Over three days – and three different time zones – the conference included over 90 hours of content, a poster exhibition, sponsor ‘stalls’, and opportunities to network with colleagues from all over the world… including a table quiz I participated in at 3.30am.

Here I’d like to share my top 10 takeaways from this awesome event.

1. Librarians need to plan strategically.

I wasn’t sure how much I’d get from a session about strategic foresight, but it turned out to be very interesting. Mostly because the speaker was clever, and knew his audience, turning what could have been a jargon-laced bore into an insightful storytelling metaphor. What it boils down to is the future shapes our attempts to steer our actions – both individual and as institutions. To craft a relevant and proactive service in the present, we need to spin stories of possible futures to challenge our assumptions, facilitate patron participation, and assist policymakers with their decisions.

2. Libraries need to balance online and in-person activities.

The OCLC session featured several different speakers, talking about different areas of their business and their different offerings. But one of the things that came up time and again was the importance of developing a holistic online experience, while also keeping the sense of physical place that is so important to many of our patrons. This was largely discussed in terms of the pandemic and its long-lasting effected on library services. One of the key points was how to recreate in-person relationships when offering services online. I was glad this was one of the earliest sessions I attended, because it then allowed me to recognise excellent examples of this in practice during other presentations.

3. Librarians around the world have very different criteria for professional registration.

A Japanese librarian mentioned that one of their criteria is 10 years of service. This is very different from the LIANZA professional registration criteria, and it was interesting to see what different cultures and countries place importance on for their staff development.

4. Libraries could do more to promote the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs) at a local level.

For this session, libraries across the Asia Pacific region presented projects relating to the UN’s SDGs. A Malaysian library presented their work, which focuses on goal 4: Quality education. This includes an annual reading programme across the country called ‘Let’s read together’, the Reading Seeds early reading programmes, information sharing on local content preservation, and digital community centres that includes an online learning platform with modules on devices, eCommerce, evaluating sources, and more. The overall keynote for the session also challenged libraries to consider how we make these SDGs more known to our communities and embedded in the work we do.

Image credit: Rebecca Keenan.

5. Librarians need to be agile in the face of change, and professional development is key.

Even when not explicitly stated, many sessions centred around the importance of agility when dealing with all the challenging facing librarians. As a result, it was interesting to learn that IFLA is currently working on new guidelines (coming in 2022) for continuing professional development. Considering everything that’s been happening, they want the guidelines to change with the times. Where previously focused on in-person conferences, seminars, and workshops, more thought will be given to how development opportunities can be delivered digitally. The aim is to give librarians more control over their professional development and career, while also helping providers like libraries, professional associations, and third-party companies keep up with changes in technology and core competencies.

6. Libraries around the world face a lot of the same challenges.

From diminishing budgets and staff cuts to competition from technologies and other forms of entertainment, the same kinds of barriers came up from libraries across the world. In a way, it was heartening to see that we’re all in the same boat on many key issues.

Image credit: Rebecca Keenan.

7. Librarians love table quizzes.

This I probably could have extrapolated from the popularity of the Otago Daily Times quiz in my own library every tea break! But it was still a little overwhelming (in a good way!) to see how many librarians from around the world were keen to take part in the quiz put on by IFLA as a social event at the end of our first day of conference. In the end, I got 13 out of 20, which I thought was okay for 3.30am. I add this just to highlight that even though we weren’t meeting in person, IFLA made the effort to acknowledge the important of having more social, fun elements to go alongside all the learning.

8. Libraries are incubators of creativity.

I’ve ‘borrowed’ this header almost directly from one of the session names, as it really appealed to me. This was a bit of a round robin session, with a number of speakers sharing creative programmes supported or developed by their libraries. My favourite was the first-time authors appreciation programme, which has been running for 11 years at NALIS in Trinidad and Tobago. This year they added an awesome online element – ‘path to publication’ videos from some of their first-time authors.

9. Librarians should have more opportunities to attend events like the IFLA WLIC 2021.

Throughout the event, the organisers lauded the inclusivity of the online format – and it’s true that many of us who attended would never have had the opportunity to attend in person. At the same time, there was an overwhelming amount of talk about looking forward to seeing each other in person at next year’s WLIC in Dublin. Personally, I hope they offer some components of the next conference online, like LIANZA is doing this year. Given the issues we continue to face going forward – the pandemic, climate change – this would allow IFLA to ensure the diversity visible at this year’s event continues to be seen and heard as we work together to craft the best possible future.

10. Libraries change lives.

Writing up my notes and thinking about this piece while sitting in Level 4 lockdown really brough home the fact that libraries matter to patrons, staff, and communities. Seeing the efforts libraries around the world have gone to over the past couple of years to continue to be places of information, entertainment, distraction, and lifelong learning was probably the most inspiring part of the IFLA WLIC 2021.

If you have questions about the online conference experience, want to know more about posters presented, or would like to chat further about any of the above, you can drop me a line at: rebecca.keenan@dcc.govt.nz

Rebecca Keenan; is a cataloguer at Dunedin Public Libraries, an active member of the Kōtui Cataloguing Working Group, and a registered member of LIANZA. She started in libraries as a shelver, has also worked in collection services, and spends an occasional shift on the reference desk. She’s currently reading How to Mars by David Ebenbach, her pet rabbit’s name is Buddy, and her hands are covered in ink from learning brush lettering as a leftie.