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.​