DIGITAL INCLUSION

The New Zealand Libraries Partnership Project (NZLPP) enabled libraries to support their communities through COVID and to embed digital inclusion in their everyday activities. The NZLPP funding was a one-off and implemented without a plan to develop sustainable outcomes to enable libraries to continue supporting digital inclusion. Since then, more and more communities are seeking support from library staff to help them access front-line public services.

The implementation of the Strategy for a Digital Public Service is transforming public services to “operate in the digital world in a more modern and efficient way”. The strategy pushes more people towards libraries for help as they try to access public services without the skills and tools to navigate the digital world. 

What would your party do to ensure that libraries can be an effective strategic partner for the government to enable digital equity and increase digital inclusion in their communities to support equitable access to public services and civic participation?

Green Party
The following actions by local government form part of our Green Party Local Government policy in areas where internet poverty or the digital divide is a significant issue:

• Offer free, convenient public internet access, such as in public libraries, community centres, and through neighbourhood wi-fi hotspots.
• Resource community organisations, including marae, to support residents to engage with digital processes.
• Ensure processes function equally well for people without the ability to engage with digital services.
• Remove other barriers to digital participation.

 
National Party
Libraries serve as a vital hub for community digital equity efforts. From access to free Wi-Fi and computers to many also offering basic programming suites that may be out of the reach of lower-income New Zealanders the role of the library to foster digital education and opportunities for learning is important. National will continue to build on these important roles for libraries nationwide as we develop our digital inclusion policies focusing around furthering the zero-rating of public websites, greater access to connectivity and support community-led initiatives for advancing digital literacy so no one is left behind. 

ACT believe libraries are local public infrastructure, governed and funded by local government. ACT will amend the Local Government Act to ensure that councils are focused on their core roles of public infrastructure.

EQUITABLE FUNDING ACROSS REGIONS, LIBRARY SECTORS, LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
​
Equity of access to library and information support is not assured for all Aotearoa New Zealand citizens.

An inequity exists between areas with large and well-funded local government funding through rates, and therefore have well-resourced libraries, and those rural areas that don't. There is also inequitable access to library and information resources in under-resourced areas such as prison and school libraries.

In our submission to the Future for Local Government Review 2023, LIANZA made a strong case for central government funding to support public libraries where they are delivering national benefits, for example in relation to digital equity and inclusion, civic participation, literacy, learning, social wellbeing and care of cultural and documentary heritage. LIANZA stated that the current model is not sustainable and not fair on ratepayers.

How would your party address these inequities? Please explain whether your party would support the funding of library and information services from a national fund?

Green Party
We are open to this. The Green Party supports the allocation of a set share of central government revenue to local government as well as the provision of a framework for local government expenditure that includes projections for necessary investment in services such as libraries.

ACT Party
ACT has no policy for a national fund for libraries.
 ​

DIGITAL EQUITY AND THE ROLE OF LIBRARIES

Supporting digital equity has become everyday work for library and information services. What we learned from COVID times was that people struggled to get the information they needed. This was especially so for rural communities, students, older people, Māori and Pacific peoples. Having systems such as the APNK Network available was one way to ensure isolated people had digital access and could access the information they needed.

What is your party's position on requiring the government to fully fund the APNK Network in Aotearoa libraries to address digital equity issues?

Green Party
The Green Party strongly supports actions to establish secure, publicly accessible digital services in areas with a significant digital divide, such as public libraries, including free wireless internet access. Central government should be providing funding to services such as APNK that provide a national benefit and address the inequality of the digital divide.

National Party
The APNK model operates on a cost-sharing model between the National Library alongside local councils with the programme up for review in 2025. It is important that digital equity schemes can be community led and, in the case of APNK, Councils processes could determine better how to reach their communities with best value for money as well as noting the wider accessibility options that may be available in each part of our country.  

ACT has no policy on this.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION  

Internationally, libraries are seeing challenges with requests to remove certain books from their collections.
In Aotearoa New Zealand, citizens hold various viewpoints and interests. While adhering to the appropriate legal parameters, libraries avoid censoring and promote non-discrimination. Libraries support people’s right to freedom of information. They will not remove books from their collections simply because the book offends one section of the community if it meets a library's review process.

What is your party's stance on ‘freedom of information’ to ensure libraries have an inclusive collection that represents the diversity of their communities?

The Green Party
The Green Party supports libraries ensuring that there is no arbitrary censorship in their collections. We support people’s right to freedom of information, and the need for libraries to reflect the diversity of the communities they serve.

National Party
National believes in the freedom of expression and right to information. We have rigid processes in New Zealand for determining harmful and illegal content through the mechanisms of the Office of Film and Literature Classification, alongside other media sector reviewers such as the New Zealand Media Council and the Broadcasting Standards Authority. We encourage people to participate in the Safer Online Services consultation process which you can do here (https://www.dia.govt.nz/safer-online-services-media-platforms-consultation)


ACT’s commitment to freedom of speech is absolute. ACT applaud the statement that libraries “will not remove books from their collections simply because the book offends one section of the community”. It is for local libraries to have collections that reflect the demands of their communities.

COMBATING MISINFORMATION AND THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF AI

Critical thinking is a key skill in media and information literacy, and a mission of libraries is to educate and advocate its importance. Discussions about fake news and scamming stemming from the mainstream application of AI in this space, along with the increased usage of tools such as Chat GPT, have led to a new focus on information literacy more broadly. Hence the role of libraries and other educational institutions in addressing this area has increased. 

What support does your party see is necessary in this area and how can they support libraries and educational institutions working to combat misinformation and the negative effects of AI?

The Green Party

• While technology can offer processes and insights that can help address challenging problems, it is also true that new and developing technologies present risks of abuse and unintended consequences to people, society and ecosystems. The Green Party will be focused on ensuring appropriate regulation is in place for how it is used, including transparency requirements.
• We are concerned about the potential disruptive effect that AI tools could have on our democracy but at the same time, there is potential in tools like ChatGPT to combat fake news as well.
• Libraries are a key trusted destination for the public and should be supported by central and local government, including with funding and to help build information literacy.

National Party
The best way to combat misinformation is with access to more information. Encouraging communities to learn, to read and to debate is how we grow an informed society, Libraries should be spaces where those discussions and learning opportunities can take place, even if they are addressing tough and divisive conversations as it is through such conversations better understanding is able to be achieved. National encourages New Zealanders to read the findings of the Cross Party Parliamentary Briefing into Mis-Dis and Mal Information. 
​
ACT has no policies in this area.

​DIGITISATION OF LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Libraries play a role in collecting the stories for future generations. Collecting, preserving and providing access to the documentary heritage of their local communities, especially with the new Aotearoa New Zealand Histories Curriculum in schools.

Libraries also house important taonga and partner with iwi Māori to tell their stories. They have a responsibility to partner and build relationships with Māori as kaitiaki to lead decisions on access, care, digitisation and ownership of taonga within library collections.
​
Digital preservation of heritage information and making it available in digital form is expensive and lack of funding, resources and time are challenges facing libraries. 

What will your party do to enable more libraries to digitise the documentary heritage of their local communities?

The Green Party
The Green Party recognises that the arts and cultural heritage have an inherent value to our communities. We will ensure there are resources are available so that documentation, heritage collections that are important historically and culturally can be digitised. 

National Party
The role of organisations like the Knowledge Bank in the Hawke’s Bay and the Mt Albert Historical Society, for instance, complemented by community library services, has ensured many parts of our country have been able to learn more about their forebears and the places we live in. National will continue to encourage communities to work with Archives NZ, the National Library and their local Council and private-led initiatives so that more New Zealanders can learn where they have come from. We also note long-term considerations that may encumber the preservation and accessibility of heritage information such as the Privacy Act, data sovereignty as well as limitations on ability to preserve are all important considerations to be addressed in the coming years. 

As above, ACT wants to empower local communities, with a focus on the provision of local public infrastructure.

EQUITABLE ACCESS TO SCHOOL LIBRARIES

There is no requirement or specialised funding for schools in Aotearoa New Zealand to provide library spaces, services or staff. This means most students don’t have access to a school library run by a school librarian, even though only 64.6 percent of 15-year-olds in Aotearoa New Zealand have basic proficiency in reading and maths (UNICEF, 2020), and “reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child’s future success, more than family circumstances, parents’ educational background or income” (OECD, 2002).

A survey of all Aotearoa New Zealand schools highlighted that a library is essential for promoting and supporting reading for pleasure, achieving literacy standards, strengthening inquiry learning and teaching and enhancing students’ social and emotional learning and well-being (National Library of New Zealand, n.d.).

What will your party do to address the inequitable access of Aotearoa New Zealand primary and secondary students to a school library staffed by a qualified librarian?

The Green Party
Libraries are a crucial part of school communities and foster curiosity and ideas in the minds of Aotearoa’s future generations. The Green Party is committed to ensuring Aotearoa’s schools, both primary and secondary, have access to a school library staffed by a qualified librarian. We support adequate and targeted funding so primary and secondary students have access to library services. 

No answer from National Party

ACT shares the horror at collapsing literacy standards in New Zealand. ACT’s solution is to have equity-based funding per student to attend the schools they and their parents want. It should be for individual schools and their boards to make decisions on what is best for their school.
​

OPEN ACCESS TO RESEARCH
New Zealanders deserve access to publicly funded research and our researchers require access to international research. However, most research information is hidden behind international paywalls. This limits access to information and innovation that underpins our economy. Students, researchers and the general public require access to this content and access is their right, as citizens and taxpayers, for purposes of education, historical research, development of government policies, for innovation in science and technology (Greer & Morris, 2019).

What will your party do to support a move to “open access” publishing for publicly funded research?

The Green Party
We are committed to open data and data sharing and have all the results of publicly funded research published and held in the public domain, with proceeds from patents, licensing, etc. being reinvested in the funding pool.
 
National Party
Yes, and greater collaboration on this issue should be undertaken by universities and other Academic institutions across New Zealand. It is important to note that ‘open access’ can lead to significant concerns around Privacy of information and data sovereignty as well as commercial sensitivities. 

ACT - For public good research, yes. Not for commercial or industry research, which is likely to be commercially sensitive and have IP protection.

REVIEW OF THE COPYRIGHT ACT

Aotearoa New Zealand is facing a review of the Copyright Act with profound implications for libraries, access to knowledge, and the creative economy. The global pandemic and climate change have pushed libraries to increasingly operate in and occupy the digital space. The Copyright Act 1994 has not been reviewed for thirty years and apart from minor tinkering, does not recognise the virtual library or users accessing resources online. Without meaningful and consistent input into the review process, there is every chance that the legislative changes could severely disadvantage libraries.

LIANZA want to see a review of the Copyright Act soon. 

What is your party's position on ensuring the Copyright Act 1994 is reviewed? How will you ensure the library and information sector voice is included in that review?

The Green Party

• Given how much has changed since the Copyright Act 1994 was passed, there needs to be a significant review. It is really important that the library and information sector are treated as a key stakeholder in this review, this means early engagement as well as substantive discussion on what any proposed changes mean in practice for libraries.
• It is Green Party policy to develop copyright law that applies to digital works, is responsive to the realities of digitalisation, upholds the tino rangatiratanga of tangata whenua over Māori intellectual property, and holds the public interest in information flow in mind.​​

The National Party
We note there have been significant concerns in recent years surrounding the copyright of digital works and how operations such as the Internet Archive and other ‘site-scraping’ initiatives internationally may negatively and/or positively impact New Zealand data. When we return to Government, we will ensure that all appropriate voices have been heard before wider engagement. 

ACT has no policies on the Copyright Act.

REFERENCES

Greer, J., & Morris, M. (2019). The People’s Report on the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals: An alternate report for Aotearoa New Zealand. https://www.sdg.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Final_PeopleReport-2019-Dec-2019_for-web.pdf

Hartnett, M. (2020, January 26). Libraries as spaces for digital inclusion – an update. Equity Through Education. https://www.equitythrougheducation.nz/latest-news/2020/1/26/libraries-as-spaces-for-digital-inclusion-an-update

National Library of New Zealand. (n.d.). Importance of the school library in learning – the research. https://natlib.govt.nz/schools/school-libraries/understanding-school-libraries/importance-of-the-school-library-in-learning-the-research#nzresearch
​
UNICEF Innocenti. (2020). Worlds of influence: Understanding what shapes child well-being in rich countries (Innocenti Report Card 16). UNICEF Office of Research. https://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/pdf/Report-Card-16-Worlds-of-Influence-child-wellbeing.pdf

Anika Whalley lives in Hamilton with her husband and two children. She is the David Wylie award winner from Te Pūkenga Open Polytechnic 2022 student cohort. She talks about her studies and her desire for a career in the information management sector.

I previously studied Applied Science at AUT and then became a stay-at-home mum. Once my children were in school, I wanted to further my education. Returning to university as an older student can be daunting, but I felt determined to succeed and put in the work. So, I was excited to hear I had won the David Wylie Award for a piece I wrote on how dyslexia affects a person's information needs and information-seeking behaviour. 

I recently completed the Library and Information Studies Diploma through Te Pūkenga The Open Polytechnic. With a love of reading and organising information, this diploma sounded ideal to me - especially as it allowed me to study around family life and other commitments. I enjoyed learning about how different communities engage with information services and gaining knowledge on various aspects of records management. 
 
Now that I have completed my diploma, I am looking for work in libraries, museums, or records management within the information sector. I would love to work with children to instil a love of reading and building knowledge. I am also looking into voluntary work to gain experience and give back to the community. 
 
Because the diploma is mainly theoretical, I would love to see diploma graduates supported through mentorships, internships or partnerships with information organisations to provide jobs. Mentors could provide new graduates with guidance and insight into their profession, while internships could offer valuable skills, experience and networking development. Partnerships with councils, schools, universities and other information organisations could give graduates the chance to be offered roles directly based on the merit of their diploma. These options could help graduates like myself, who have gained the knowledge, and have the passion but lack references or hands-on experience within the information sector. 
 
The David Wylie Award is awarded to both Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington and Te Pūkenga Open Polytechnic students who their institution judges to have completed the best-written work on an aspect of library and information studies.

Aimee Smith is the LIANZA Award winner for the 2022 Te Pūkenga Open Polytechnic cohort. This award is given to the student from the L5 or L6 library and information studies diploma who is judged by Te Pūkenga Open Polytechnic to have the highest overall academic achievement in either level. Aimee talks about the diploma, her role as a service representative at Hamilton City Libraries, Te Kete Aronui Branch, and her career plans.
​
Ko Aerana te whakapaparanga mai engari
Ko Sydney te whenua tupu
Ko Oamaru te kāinga
Nō Oamaru au
Kei Morrinsville au e noho ana
He Ringa Hapai au i Te Ohomauri o Kirikiriroa (Te Kete Aronui)
Ko Aimee Smith au 
Tēnā tātou katoa.


​My ancestry is Irish. However, I grew up in Sydney, and Oamaru is where I call home and where I was born. I now live in Morrinsville and am a service representative (ringa hapai) at Hamilton City Libraries, Te Kete Aronui Branch.

I have just completed the New Zealand Diploma in Library and Information Studies (Level 5) with Te Pūkenga Open Polytechnic. It delved into the theory of information, Te Ao Māori in the information environment, cataloguing and collection management principles, digital literacy, the digital divide, and many other areas of information and library practice.

Although theory-based, students are also provided with the tools to apply the theory in their professional practice. I am New Zealand-born but Australia-educated and missed out on learning about Māori culture and language and the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Learning about these was enjoyable, challenging, and incredibly valuable.

I plan to continue working as a ringa hapai for at least another year to build my general library practice skills, then move into the heritage and local history area. I would love to work in local history and heritage in the South Island, hopefully in the Otago region where my family is from.
​
Graduates can be supported in the sector through opportunities to develop their skills in different areas they may not have experience in yet. I completed my studies with no experience in the GLAMMIR sector. I have found it challenging to learn day-to-day skills while also trying to find ways to apply my theoretical learning practically. For example, we have Auaha Makerspace here, which has many resources for the public to use in their creative endeavours. I am regularly rostered on to spend time in this space, assisting users and learning to use the resources and computer programs myself. Spending time in this space is building practical skills and my theoretical learning about makerspaces and how the library uses them to engage with and support our community of users.

My research examined the perspectives of homeless library customers on public library services and social inclusion. I interviewed seven adults who were experiencing homelessness at the time of study, and who self-identified as regular users of Christchurch’s central library, Tūranga.

Most of the current research on this topic is based on the perspectives of library staff, and there are few relevant New Zealand studies. My project aimed to help fill those gaps: to give homeless library customers a voice and to look at the issues in a New Zealand context.

GENERAL LIBRARY SERVICES

The study participants visited Tūranga regularly and for a variety of reasons. They read, studied, used public computers, played board games, and went to library events. They also used the library for practical reasons, such as charging devices, storing belongings in lockers, keeping warm and dry, sleeping, and using the bathroom. There was an overarching perception of the library as a safe, welcoming space where the participants could relax and temporarily escape difficulties associated with experiencing homelessness.
The participants’ regular use of general library services supports previous research which suggests that libraries are more than just a meeting place or a place to sleep for homeless people, which can be a popular misconception by members of the general public.

Background to the 2023 events

Taking the opportunity to lead by example to support a culture of acceptance and inclusivity, we put together our first programme of events for February and March of 2021. This was timed to sit between the Auckland and Wellington Pride celebrations. It was a great time of year to have outdoor events. However, we eventually moved our programme to June, partly to align with International Pride Month and Out on the Shelves, but also because the start of the year is busy, coming out of school holiday programming.
 
Emma Lord says,” When you are part of a marginalised community, navigating everyday situations can be overwhelming.”
 
“There’s a fear, learned from observed and personal experience, that makes you ask, do those people think I’m a danger to their children? Are people like me welcome there? You know those opinions shouldn’t matter. But the knowledge of what might happen is always there. So, providing spaces that are explicitly queer-friendly is important. It shows firstly that we welcome our rainbow community, and secondly that this is not a place where people who want to intimidate our rainbow community will find support.”
 
This delivery is an important part of library services and programmes being inclusive, says Carla Crosbie.

“We are very aware that members of New Zealand's rainbow community continue to suffer from widespread discrimination. This sector of our community has the same rights as everyone else and these events are designed to connect, promote acceptance, diversity, and inclusivity.”

Challenges in running the programme 

Emma says that as a public-facing librarian planning and running the events, there have been very few challenges. While there are negative comments online, the library’s management team doesn’t let staff be exposed to these.
 
“We know it happens but we’re not told about every detail. We’re informed on what we need to know, such as someone online told us to expect a protest and that the police were notified and will drop by to say hello and make sure everything’s okay. But we are shielded from what we don’t need to know.”

“There are always a few people making noise, but the support and thanks we receive far outnumber these. As part of our preparations, key messages are provided to staff to help them respond to comments or navigate difficult conversations,” says Carla.


“This year we did experience a higher amount of negativity on social media. This was carefully managed and monitored, and we were on high alert for a couple of days. I’ll be honest and admit it was unpleasant and stressful. But the team works hard to deliver great programmes and we would rather they concentrate on this instead of the things they can’t control.”
 
Assessing risk is embedded into everything we plan, deliver, and talk about. Hastings District Council has sound procedures to follow, from health and safety plans for every event through to risks and mitigations in the marketing and communications plan.
 
Sadly, risks such as protests or antisocial behaviour must be considered, along with the consequences of this and control measures. One measure is getting support from our kaitiaki staff, and our City Assist team and the security manager were advised of the events. Anyone who tried to be disruptive would have been quickly and firmly asked to leave, with escalation to the Police if required.
 
One of the best risk mitigations is having the support of Hastings District Council. As part of the marketing, we talk to council colleagues about how they can support this kaupapa. They proudly made their Facebook icon rainbow, shared all posts, gave Hastings Libraries of PRIDE top spot on the staff intranet, interviewed rainbow library staff for internal communications and highlighted Pride in the Chief Executive weekly update, and more. 

2023 Pride celebration events

Eight events were organised and attended by over 100 people across a two-week period. Attendance numbers were down this year, but this didn’t come as a huge surprise. Our community is recovering from the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle and for many the last few months have been tough. Add to this the increase in online abuse of our trans and rainbow whānau, some people are feeling pretty vulnerable.
 
Events were aimed at various age groups. They included a Drag 101 workshop, a pride craft buffet, a one-off book club, a picnic event, pizza and movies, and paint and stitch art. A highlight for Emma was the living library event, a stunning evening with six local people – gay, bi, trans, demi, aged from teens to 40s and from different cultures – talking about their own experiences and what it’s like being queer in the Bay. It was a powerful event for parents to attend with their kids.
 
Another highlight was The Rocky Horror Night. It was nostalgic and fun as well as interactive. We put the movie on our projector, provided a kit of supplies and encouraged people to dress up but not bring their own props. That way we avoided people throwing food items like rice and toast in the library.
 
In the past, we’ve also had Pride open mic poetry, which people love, and rainbow storytimes.
 
What we've learned from running these events
​
We've learned a lot from running these events over the last three years. Simple lessons like people love a Pride picnic, but not in the cold. Complainers will claim they are worried about “sexualising children”. But they clearly have no idea what rainbow storytime is like. Because it’s about the magic and drama of seeing people dressed and made up extravagantly, and about accepting all kinds of differences – there’s nothing at all sexual about it. Thankfully the complainers are outnumbered by the people who don’t attend the events but applaud us for running them, “It’s not for me, but I’m glad you do it, to show everyone it’s okay.”

There are always people (of all ages) who are excited and nervous to attend their first-ever Pride event, and it’s a real privilege to be part of that for them.
 
One winning moment was a local high school teacher coming in to say ‘Happy Pride’ and checking out our Pride reading lists. She runs her school's LGBTQ+ club and the kids have been commenting that even though there is more anti-trans sentiment online, it seems like more places are supportive of the rainbow community, mentioning the library as one of those places!
 
We encourage all library colleagues to continue to provide programmes and services specifically designed for the rainbow community. If you want to hear more about our experiences email us at hdlprogrammes@hdc.govt.nz

Here are a few New Zealand resources that might help with your rainbow library content.

• InsideOUT.org.nz - free resources, project info, schools support, training and consultancy.
• Open to ALL- Serving the LGBT Community in your Library- an American resource, but still has useful tips about making sure your library is safe and inclusive for rainbow communities.
• Out On The Shelves - has more information about InsideOUT’s campaign to give people greater access to rainbow stories.
• Services to Schools blogpost: Diverse schools need diverse collections.
• Services to Schools page on Book Complaints – includes a template you can use.
• Alexander Turnbull Library’s team put out this excellent article a blogpost or so back: What’s in a word — describing LGBTQ+ collections.
• Explore the resources InsideOUT has produced in collaboration with Ministry of Education.
• Ministry of Education’s Inclusive Education guide is regularly updated to be in line with nationwide policy guidelines for schools.

Nearly $500,000 was allocated in the first two rounds of funding for the LIANZA SLANZA Tertiary Grants project in 2022. These grants provide up to $10,000 per year for students starting a new library and information qualification. With a total of 100 applications, 82 were approved, with 73 studying in 2023.

These grants are attracting new people into library work and upskilling others, says Philip Miles chair of the LIANZA SLANZA Tertiary Grants Project.

Philip Miles says that at least that number of grants or more is expected in the October 2023 funding round, as grants must be allocated by 2025. He encourages people to apply this year, so they don’t miss out on gaining a grant.

A new funding priority for tertiary grants this year aims to encourage more school library staff to gain financial support to take up a library and information qualification.

In 2023, funding is available for applicants seeking to start a new library and information qualification and priority will be given to applicants new to the sector, under the age of 35, Māori and Pasifika, and people working in school libraries. Applications can be made between October4-22 on the Perpetual Guardian website.

We hear from some of the 2022 recipients below.​

Kylie Smith

Kylie Smith received a grant to complete the New Zealand Certificate in Library and Information Services for Children and Teens with The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand Te Pūkenga. Kylie is the library coordinator at Manurewa High School.

“The students are my favourite part of the job for sure! There isn't a day that goes by when the students don't make me laugh. I also love how varied and challenging the role can be and there is so much involved in being a school librarian. I love the challenge each day can bring.

“I would not have been able to complete this qualification without the tertiary grant as StudyLink isn't available for this certificate.”

Kylie encourages others to apply for a grant. “If you've been thinking about applying for the tertiary grant, do it! I won't lie and tell you that juggling it all is easy, but it has been so rewarding seeing the benefits of study pay off in my mahi. Having that professional learning behind me has really helped me to feel more confident in the work I'm doing and in advocating for the value of libraries and librarians in schools.”

Lewis Ioane

​“I was thrilled to be awarded the LIANZA SLANZA Tertiary Grant, which has allowed me to return to study and pursue my dream of becoming a qualified librarian,” says Lewis Ioane, Māori and Pacific Librarian at Porirua City Libraries.
​
“I am currently working towards a Postgraduate Certificate in Library and Information Leadership with Open Polytechnic Te Pūkenga, and I have really enjoyed seeing what goes into our library mahi from a management-level perspective.

I hope to see more young people, Māori and Pasifika get into the library sector. Any current or potential library professional should apply for this grant if they are considering studying or progressing in their library career. There are lots of different qualification options and the extra support the grant provides makes tertiary education accessible.”

​Victoria Elisara

Victoria Elisara’s tertiary grant is supporting her to gain a Diploma in Library and Information Studies (Level 5) from Open Polytechnic Te Pūkenga. She works as the librarian at Glendowie School in Auckland.
“This is my first library-related qualification. To be honest, in the past, I didn't think of myself as a 'real librarian' as I didn't have a qualification, and sadly I had felt a little judged.
The Open Polytech Te Pūkenga course has given me the opportunity to prove to myself that I am in fact a real librarian. The skills I've developed through my work are great, but there is SO much more to being a librarian than just issuing books.
I really thought the opportunity to study had passed me by, but this grant has changed all that. I am so excited for the future now and would love to continue to study and share my growing knowledge.”

More information and application details  go here.

Leslie Weir, the Librarian and Archivist of Canada, will be a keynote speaker at the LIANZA 2023 Conference in Christchurch, from October 31 to November 2, this year. As she prepares her address on ‘Connecting with the past, serving the present, engaging with the future’ here are some of her thoughts.
 
Attending the LIANZA 2023 Conference is a tremendous honour. As a keynote speaker at the 2023 conference, I am looking forward to engaging with this vibrant community and exploring the hot issues that are shaping our domain. It is a great opportunity to connect with colleagues from around the world, all of whom share the same passion for libraries and information services. The diverse programme at LIANZA 2023 offers a platform to learn from local and international experts, attend workshops, exchange ideas, and foster meaningful collaborations. 

Furthermore, this year marks a very special occasion: the first live LIANZA conference since 2019. We have all dealt with so much adversity during the past few years, and we cannot take for granted how special these opportunities are to meet and discuss in person. Lastly, I cannot deny my excitement at visiting Aotearoa New Zealand. The country is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes, and I am particularly excited to experience the unique blend of Māori and Pacific cultures, which are intricately woven into the fabric of New Zealand society. My only concern is not wanting to leave!

Global issues for the profession

Our profession faces numerous challenges, and it is crucial for all of us to engage actively with these issues. Libraries have always served as sources of knowledge and information, and this remains true despite the present-day, technologically dependent environment. Furthermore, we possess a certain degree of authority and impartiality that we should recognise, embrace and use. It is essential for us to address the concerns of our users, which can include subjects as varied as digital transformation, information privacy and security, intellectual freedom, and access to information. By participating in events such as LIANZA 2023, professionals can contribute their unique perspectives, learn from best practices that define industry standards, and collectively help to shape the future of our profession.

My keynote address at LIANZA 2023

During my keynote address, entitled ‘Connecting with the past, serving the present, engaging with the future,’ I will touch on the different ways that we have been “putting the user first” at Library and Archives Canada (LAC). Over the past few years, we have undertaken multi-faceted efforts to ensure that our collections are increasingly open and accessible for all users, both today and tomorrow. Our institution is going through a great transformation, with the implementation of our Vision 2030 strategic plan, service and IT infrastructure changes, and the reorganization of our structure to support achieving LAC’s mandate—all the while with a focus on people and access.
Implicit in all our endeavours is our commitment to collaborate with underserved communities, particularly First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation partners, and to implement strategies to provide greater, sustainable access and discoverability to the collections in our care. Reconciliation with these entities has been a priority for our organisation, and we have worked hard to build fruitful partnerships with them.

I also have the honour of delivering the closing remarks at the conference, through which I hope to foster a sense of shared responsibility and global community between us. It is important not to downplay the impact that the services we provide can have on people. We can all strive to contribute to the library profession, learn from the diverse perspectives of our colleagues from around the world, empower our users, and better our communities.

Some words of encouragement
​
Dear colleagues from New Zealand attending LIANZA 2023, I hope that my address will fill you with a sense of hope and excitement for what we can achieve together. 

By embracing technology as an ally and focusing on our users, we can find novel ways to enhance our services and engage in exciting and sometimes unimaginable ways. We cannot yet divine which way tools such as artificial intelligence will take our work, so we need to keep an open mind. I also want to encourage you all to dig into your own unique cultural heritage and personal experiences and leverage them to enrich and evolve our profession further.
​
I look forward to meeting all of you!

Find out more about the LIANZA 2023 Conference here.​

At the 2023 American Library Association Annual Conference & Exhibition, OverDrive previewed data from ongoing research to uncover circulation insights for digital library collections.

“OverDrive data scientists are evaluating the performance of digital library collections to uncover best practices for lending efficiency. These include the utilization of multiple content access models and curation practices and their impact on reader engagement,” said Susan Gross Ph.D., OverDrive’s lead researcher. “We want to provide reports that inform digital library budgets, community programming as well as to support literacy campaigns.”

The company will publish its Science of Digital Library Performance whitepaper following Digipalooza ‘23, its international digital library conference August 9-11, 2023, in Cleveland, Ohio. The report will contain results from the analysis of 16,000 libraries and billions of anonymized circulations. Research is being conducted in three categories: digital collection development practices, merchandising and audience engagement, and literacy and reading data.

A sample of the findings to be contained in the whitepaper can be found below.

Cost-per-loan 

Libraries that used multiple OverDrive Marketplace content access models reduced their cost-per-checkout across their entire digital collection compared to libraries that did not (based on data January 1–June 8, 2023).

• CPC (Cost per circ) Access Model: 17 percent lower cost per checkout ($.91) compared to libraries that did not utilize CPC ($1.09).
• OverDrive Max Access Model: 25 percent lower cost per checkout ($.92) vs. those that did not utilize OverDrive Max ($1.23).
  • Note: Results reflect utilization of CPC and OverDrive Max in combination with other factors, such as multiple lending models and proven curation and merchandising practices.
• Between May 2021 and May 2023, libraries have increased the number of distinct titles purchased in CPC (32,479 to 41,746; +29 percent) and OverDrive Max (4,732 to 7,853; +66 percent).

Patron interests and holds data

Between April and June 2023, patrons used the Notify Me tag in the Libby app to indicate titles of interest that are not in the library’s digital collection 7.7 million times for 920,000 unique titles from approximately 15,000 libraries.

• Libby users have the option to place a hold on a title if it is unavailable for immediate checkout and can cancel or suspend the hold while keeping their place in line to borrow at a later date. In a sample of over 171 million holds placed through OverDrive or Libby (July 2022-June 2023), 77 percent were successfully fulfilled as checkouts and 23 percent were cancelled. Of the 171 million holds, 39 percent were suspended (and may or may not have resulted in a checkout). Of those suspended holds, 53 percent were ultimately cancelled. In summary, holds are more likely to convert into checkouts when holds are not suspended.
• The sooner a hold is filled, the less likely it will be suspended: Median wait time for title availability: 12 days when not suspended and 17 days when suspended.

Publication of the Science of Digital Library Performance whitepaper will be announced later this year on the OverDrive public library blog.

To learn more, contact your OverDrive Account Manager.

LIANZA is proud to announce the establishment a new standing committee. The LIANZA Standing Committee on Climate Action will provide leadership and guide our collective action.

A callout for expressions of interest for committee members was made in late June and appointments to the committee have been approved by LIANZA Council this week.
​
One of the first actions for the standing committee will be appoint a chair and to begin work on a LIANZA statement that recognises that there is a climate emergency and that libraries have an important part to play in society’s response to this crisis. This will align LIANZA with other library association like ALIA and local government colleagues and organisations in taking this symbolic and necessary step to unify the library and information sector around this issue and demonstrate a commitment to climate action. The committee will also start to develop a workplan for the year ahead.

LIANZA Te Upoko o Te Ika a Māui regional community is seeking new committee members.

The committee’s purpose is to deliver social and professional development events for members in the Wellington region and beyond. The committee is a good platform for building a professional network and developing a set of skills such as self-management, leadership, and problem-solving.

Over the past year, Te Upoko te Ika a Maui offered a Library Assistants’ Day in August 2022, hosted a regional hui to discuss the LIANZA strategic plan in October 2022, and recently co-hosted a networking event with LIANZA SLIS colleagues in June. The committee recently hosted an online event to promote rainbow-inclusive workplaces and spaces in libraries and have a joint session for and by children and youth librarians planned for August.

If you have a suggestion for a professional development session or are interested in joining the committee, or if you’d like to catch up over a coffee on a good Wellington day, please contact the LIANZA Te Upoko te Ika a Maui committee via the LIANZA office officeadmin@lianza.org.nz.
​
You can find out more about us from the LIANZA Communities page https://www.lianza.org.nz/lianza-communities/ or like us on  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TeUpokoLIANZA.
 
Current committee members introduce themselves below.