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IFLA’s General Assembly and Annual Report: Looking Back on a Great Year

25/11/2020

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In a first for IFLA, the General Assembly 2020 was livestreamed from the National Library of the Netherlands in The Hague. Those participating shared in the highlights of IFLA’s work over the past years, celebrated the recipients of Honours and Awards, and looked to an exciting future. A recording of the session, as well as our Annual Report 2019, are now available.
 
IFLA exists to support its members, inspiring, engaging, enabling and connecting them to create a strong and united global library field. 
 
The IFLA General Assembly represents a key moment in the IFLA calendar, even in a year as extraordinary as this.
 
While the COVID-19 pandemic has meant that members have not had the opportunity to come together physically, IFLA’s 2020 General Assembly offered new possibilities to participate online.

Thanks to careful preparation, IFLA members were also able to make unprecedented use of proxy voting, meaning that more of IFLA’s association members were present or represented than in many years.

This year, with IFLA’s President Christine Mackenzie unfortunately unable to travel, IFLA’s President-elect Barbara Lison chaired a meeting which nonetheless included significant input and strong messages from our President.
 
A Year of Highlights: Presenting the IFLA Annual Report  
​Despite the differences, the assembly offered the same great opportunity as in any year to share highlights of what IFLA has been able to achieve together.
 
IFLA’s Annual Report, was released online and sent to all members, provides just an overview of all the great work that took place in 2019.
 
In addition to highlights of IFLA achievements under each strategic areas of work, and key information about IFLA  finances and membership, it provides an overview of how IFLA arrived at a landmark moment for the organisation, a new Strategy 2019-24. 
 
Available both as a PDF and in flipbook format, it is a great way to build understanding of what IFLA does and is about, supporting the library field even in difficult times.
  • IFLA Annual Report 2019
    [PDF – English – 33 MB]
  • ​Read online as a Flipbook
 
Looking Ahead: President’s Address and IFLA’s Governance Review 
In addition to looking back, the address of IFLA President, Christine Mackenzie, looked forwards to crucial decisions coming up around IFLA’s Governance Review.
 
With the goal to make IFLA a more inclusive, effective and transparent organisation, she thanked IFLA’s members and volunteers for all their contributions and ideas through multiple rounds of consultation. These had provided both the overall direction and the structure for the proposals which have already been shared with members in an indicative ballot.
 
Despite the uncertainty ahead, she looked forward to an extraordinary General Assembly in February 2021, where members will be able to vote on IFLA’s new statutes.
 
Remembering, Celebrating, and Planning 
Just as in any other year, those watching could also take part in important moments for our field – remembering colleagues who have left us, and celebrating engagement and success through the IFLA Honours and Awards.
 
This year’s awardees included Genevieve Clavel-Merrin, Victoria Owen, Winston Roberts, Mirna Willer and Eve Woodberry as recipients of the IFLA Scroll of Appreciation, and Guy Berthiaume and Inga Lundén as recipients of the IFLA Medal.
 
Participants also heard more about IFLA’s plans for the 2021 World Library and Information Congress, which will take place online, with the welcome support of the Dutch National Committee.  IFLA was grateful to all those who joined online from around the world, and for the continued support and engagement of our members.
 
IFLA encourages you to watch – or watch again – the event on IFLA’s YouTube channel.
 

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Auckland Libraries break international records

23/11/2020

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Auckland has become the first library system in the Southern Hemisphere and the fourth library system in the world to reach 10 million checkouts in OverDrive’s history.
Aucklander Sarid Olvera Anzures, originally from Tulancingo in Mexico, downloaded an eBook on her phone in August, unaware she had just borrowed the 10 millionth OverDrive eBook from Auckland Council Libraries.
She was delighted to learn her selection had made history.

With Sarid’s eBook loan, Auckland had become the first library system in the Southern Hemisphere and the fourth library system in the world to reach 10 million checkouts in OverDrive’s history.

Councillor Alf Filipaina, Chair of the Parks, Arts, Community and Events committee says: “It’s exciting to be a city of people who love to read. We congratulate Sarid on being part of this awesome milestone,”
The title Sarid borrowed was The Warmth of Other Suns: the epic story of America’s great migration by Isabel Wilkerson which tells one of the great untold stories of American history: the decades-long migration of black citizens who fled the South for northern and western cities, in search of a better life.

Sarid says: “I read e-books because it means I don’t need to carry a big book with me everywhere I go. I just need my phone and nothing else. I borrowed it to help understand the Black Lives Matter movement and know more about African Americans. I am an immigrant myself and believe that by understanding others I’ll understand my own process better.
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“I feel fortunate and thankful to be the 10 millionth eBook user in Auckland. Having greater access to the library has increased the amount of reading I am able to do. Where I come from, there’s only one public library in the whole city and the selection of books is far behind what Auckland Libraries offer. It meant we had to buy books and sometimes we couldn’t afford them,” she says.

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Auckland Council Libraries’ customers have checked out an average of 8040 OverDrive eBooks and eAudiobook every day so far this year, with 270,000 eBook and eAudiobook titles to choose from.
The top five e-issues from January to June 2020 in Auckland this year were:
  •  Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone eAudiobook
  • Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone eBook
  • The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life
  • Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds
  • Funny, You Don't Look Autistic: A Comedian's Guide to Life on the Spectrum.

​Every Aucklander can sample eBooks. It’s a simple process to sign up for a library membership and eBooks return themselves automatically at the end of the loan period.

Catherine Leonard, Auckland Council Libraries’ Head of Content and Discovery, says: “Auckland Libraries is a place for all. We work to support, educate, engage, entertain and connect individuals and communities. It’s very special to know that Sarid, herself an immigrant, found a book that helped her understand a struggle in a different part of the world and see connections with her own experience.

“When the Black Lives Matter movement gathered extra momentum after the death of George Floyd in May, we knew it was important to acknowledge and stand in support of those affected and to help people see how this translates to our own Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) communities in Aotearoa.  We curated booklists on related topics, and these titles and many others have been extremely popular with customers keen to learn more, understand the history and issues raised, and listen to the voices of those with lived experience.”

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This blog post was contributed by 
Auckland Council. 
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Reflections on LIANZA Panel: Leadership in a Time of Change

23/11/2020

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We asked four attendees of the recent LIANZA Panel on Leadership in a Time of Change to report back on what found the key take-aways from the discussion to be. Kat Moody, Alex Bassett, ​​Victoria Passau and Amanda Cossham respond below.

I’ve never attended an AGM before whilst sprawled on the sofa, nibbling Twiglets. I suppose this is just the way 2020 rolls. Still, balancing my phone on my knee and occasionally conferring with my husband about what to have for tea, I thoroughly enjoyed the apt and relevant debate on leadership in a time of change, ably chaired by Helen Heath.
 
The 50 or so Zoom participants had the opportunity to hear from a selection of inspiring GLAM professionals: Honiana Love, Tumu Whakarae of Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision; Courtney Johnston, Tumu Whakarae / Chef Executive of Te Papa; and Dan Daly, Team Leader of South Library, Christchurch City Libraries.
 
Courtney has been in her role for about a year and began the year focusing on recovering from bruising restructures and prioritising staff welfare. She spoke about the pandemic and lockdown having collateral benefits, for example staff looking after each other, which has helped with institutional healing. I really enjoyed her tip about ‘notice, name and navigate’ what is going on for you – it’s a great way to slow yourself down and gain control over feelings. I also enjoyed that she takes the time to find joy in a ‘selfish’ task – helping out with botany specimens.
 
Honiana is also relatively new to her role, after having been acting in the position for a while. This year the organisation has sped up its digitisation, and checked in a lot about what tasks it should be doing. They’ve also received a lot of funding to carry out one of the biggest digitisation projects in New Zealand, which means the organisation is now managing a much bigger budget. They’ve also restructured – but is there ever a right time to do this? Honiana also made an excellent point about carrying on initiatives that have been effective this year into more ordinary times, for example ensuring that we are keeping up open and honest communication.
 
Dan complimented us all for doing amazingly this year – and we all really are! He is a values-driven leader who hasn’t changed his approach to leadership this year. He is still accountable to his team as well as his managers, and focuses on being a clear, honest communicator.  Apparently he enjoys dysfunction and managing change, something he’s had experience of during Christchurch’s earthquake sequence. He believes in celebrating wins, and making things achievable by breaking them down. I know I’m very fortunate to work alongside Dan!
 
This was a quick whip through a really thought provoking session, and if I have whetted your whistle do take a look at the full video on YouTube.
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​Kat Moody |  Floor Leader | ​Tūranga Central Library, Christchurch

There were some great points made over the course of the evening and I've jotted down a few of the most salient for me in note form below:
  • ​It is very important to speak frankly about wellbeing and mental health – and as a leader, the ability to be raw and vulnerable can be immensely helpful in terms of connecting with colleagues, to unite teams, and to ensure people remain focused. 
  • The Covid crisis changed how a lot of work was done across all the GLAM industries; speeding things up toward digitisation and placing emphasis on the immediacy of the operational, aside considerations regarding changed strategic direction. Leaders and teams had to be very agile, and adapt to various contingency plans – which often meant heightened need to prioritise projects as well.
  • Focus on value as being key to team-wide success and resilience: falling back on basic organisation and human value – and ability to be empathic to all staff.
  • To be successful in wholly operational requirements, it is advised to divorce from the strategic approach. I.e. focus on what can be controlled, and acknowledge what can’t be; if staff are left to speculate, it can linger in worst case scenario mentality (which is most often than not, not the reality). 
  • Communication style is really important; building trust with the team and checking in with all team members. Never take the value of communication for granted.
  • Ensuring the communication is two way: to see this as relationship building, and to keep it going. Some teams had a 10 minute social catch up before addressing business, which meant that it created connection before diving into work.
  • Resilience can be a combative word. What is it, how is it built and what does it look like… making sure it is enacted and encouraged with empathy. Reference was made to the connotations of the word ‘resilience’; is it confronting? Does it mean, ‘suck it up and get on with it?’ Resilience must be built with compassion and sincerity amongst staff.
  • A good tip to foster resilience was to make things achievable for staff: concentrate on achievable goals and outcomes, and celebrate success – it makes sure people feel valued, engaged and productive – even if confined to their home and in a state on uncertainty.
  • As a leader it is important to ensure that the team is equipped with the right tools to make headway on their tasks and on their projects. This may mean recalibrating your leadership approach to be more flexible, and more supportive through different means. If a colleague needs longer to complete a task, then that is the reality, and it is the duty of care for the leader to provide the environment through which the team can flourish, even when in confusing circumstances.
  • GLAM sector and Library industry is a profession of care: focus on culture, identity and learning, and the meaning that drives us forward as a sector is rooted in this, but this also means that this is the very thing that can drive you down personally – staff are often incredibly invested in their work, and in the service they provide, in their community, and it can be detrimental if these feelings run you down in times of crisis – especially when most things are out of anyone’s control.
  • Good advice is to always communicate from your highest point of clarity: start with what you know, and acknowledge things you don’t know. I.e. it may not be known when lock down will finish, or if we will get locked down again, but it is known that we can man our emails and enquiries from the public, from home.
  • Remember that everyone is engaged in the best of intentions, and that they mean well; reach out to people for personal support too, as we are all in it together. 
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Alex Bassett | Wakatipu Libraries Team Leader |  Queenstown Lakes District Council

As a member of a GLAM institution I initially felt the panel to be quite a challenging listen. While I of course appreciated the honest insights provided by the three participants it also highlighted to me how tired I am. 
 
That however much our leaders, at all levels of our organisations, demonstrate innovation, flexibility, empathy and resilience, it doesn’t void how difficult this year has been. Their words and actions certainly help to create a positive support structure. However, these words only skim over the significant impact that COVID-19 has had on our workplaces, our resilience and the ongoing expectations of the public we cater to. New Zealand’s relative physical isolation has created an insulated limbo in which we live and work and this nibbling uncertainty has taken a toll. 
 
So thank you to Courtney, Honiana and Dan for helping me to reflect on a tumultuous year. This year has taught me that we are now able to bring our whole self to work whether that is digitally or in person. And this shift towards creating more empathetic workplaces has both been a struggle and liberating. I no longer feel like the weird one for sharing how I feel because of this change. But it is still hard. 
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​Victoria Passau | Collection Manager, Online Cenotaph & Pou Maumahara | Auckland War Memorial Museum | Tamaki Paenga Hira 

The three leaders participating in this panel showed the various ways individual managers have responded to their staff and organisation needs. Key take-aways for me were the need to focus internally and at a microscopic level on staff interaction, engagement, and mental health, the importance of communication, and the blend of these two aspects.
 
Courtney Johnston noted that managers needed to be more open and vulnerable, and faster to react to staff needs. Anxiety and low energy levels were prevalent, and Honiana Love reminded us of the importance of evaluating and assessing workloads (Were they reasonable? What is too much? Should we be trying to do this?). Dan Daly talked about controlling the practical things to help his team work and to get them what they needed.
 
The speakers emphasised that communication was key, even though there may have been nothing particular to communicate. Touching base was important, as was communicating the same information in various ways to ensure it got through to staff and building trust through two-way communication. Good communication helps to build resilience in staff, which in turn feeds into better mental health. Checking in with staff and colleagues was highlighted. I know that this was important in my workplace too: the management team met daily at 9am and sent an email to all staff shortly after. We knew where we were, what was going on, and how everything was being managed.
 
Courtney Johnson suggested we should “find a small selfish pleasure inside your job and make the time to do that, to consciously find the joy inside your job so you don’t feel guilty not meeting all the needs around you”. In the time of a pandemic, with so much pressure, this was wonderfully inspirational.
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​Dr Amanda Cossham
 | Principal Academic Staff Member | Learning Delivery | 
Open Polytechnic 

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Read for animals this summer with the SPCA Reading Challenge

23/11/2020

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​Kiwi kids love animals and this year the SPCA Reading Challenge brings together books and creatures in a fun summer competition. 

Read NZ Te Pou Muramura (formerly NZ Book Council) has joined forces with SPCA to get kids reading more books over the holidays.



The SPCA Reading Challenge is an interactive website. Primary and intermediate-aged children are invited to register for free and choose an animal team to ‘play’ for. Players log the books they read over the summer, along with a star rating and short review. A leader board keeps track of the teams as they move up and down the rankings accordingly.
Launching in mid-December, the SPCA Reading Challenge will run until January 29.

The initiative follows two previous competitions – the Super Smash Reading Challenge in 2019, which teamed T20 cricket and books, and the Stay Home Book Club which ran over the national lockdown period in 2020.

Guided by children’s feedback, the SPCA Reading Challenge features an improved book logging system and teams arranged by age groups.
Paper Plus gift cards are up for grabs every day of the competition. There are lots of books to be won too, thanks to the support of Wellington publisher Gecko Press. To win a specially-curated bundle of books about animals, children can send in a picture of themselves reading to a pet, farm, wildlife or animal, or even a stuffed animal friend. The top readers in each team will also win Paper Plus gift cards at the end of the competition.

Read NZ Te Pou Muramura CEO Juliet Blyth says the reading challenge is a fun new way to address the well-documented ‘summer slide’ in learning over the holidays.

“We’re so excited to be running the Reading Challenge again this summer. We want more children to read more, to experience the joy of reading and hopefully encourage other whānau members to pick up a book too,” she says.
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“Research tells us over and over again that reading for pleasure is the single most important factor in a child’s educational success, and our competition is a great way to support reading over summer so that when children return to school in the new year, their learning hasn’t suffered as a result of the long break.”

“At Read NZ we think it’s really important that children find reading fun, and our partnerships with the SPCA, Paper Plus and Gecko provide plenty of opportunities to read and learn about animal welfare and win cool prizes.”

SPCA National Education Manager Nicole Peddie welcomes the initiative, and says SPCA feel fortunate to be involved in the exciting challenge for Kiwi kids.

“With the right books summer reading can be a fun and enjoyable activity for children to sustain their reading levels they’ve worked so hard to achieve over the school year and we think animals, be them companion, farmed, wild, even prehistoric or mythical, are a cool topic to read about!”

“Animals are not only interesting to read about, they also make wonderful, supportive reading buddies. We know that practice makes perfect. However, many children dislike reading aloud in front of their classmates, even their family sometimes. However, an animal companion won’t judge a child’s mistakes and will calmly listen to and enjoy their company.”

“As such, practicing reading with an animal companion, even a toy version, can help children associate reading with pleasure. When reading becomes enjoyable, children are likely to do it more often, improving both their skill and confidence along the way. Plus, most animals enjoy this calm and relaxing interaction too,” says Nicole.

Read NZ is grateful for the generous support of Paper Plus and Gecko Press for the prizes on offer.
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Sign up for the SPCA Reading Challenge by registering at reading-challenge.org.nz .
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​Submissions open for 2021 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults

19/11/2020

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The New Zealand Book Awards Trust is now inviting submissions for the 2021 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. These annual awards recognise and celebrate the best books for young readers published in New Zealand. Titles with release dates between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2021 will be considered for the 2021 awards.

There are two submission dates. Publishers are asked to observe the guidelines for sending entries in two tranches, which are in place for ease of sending to judges.
Submissions for books published between 1 April 2020 and 30 November 2020 are now open and will close at 5pm on Tuesday 15 December 2020. For books published between 1 December 2020 and 31 March 2021, submissions open on 16 December and will close at 5pm on Friday 19 February 2021.

For books in the second tranche, page proofs will be accepted where books are not yet printed. In such cases, finished books must arrive with the Awards Administrator, New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, Attn: Joy Sellen, 72 Te Wharepouri Street, Wellington 6023, by 5pm on Wednesday 24 March 2021. 

All entries must be submitted online at www.nzbookawards.nz and fees paid by credit card via the online submission form. A Call for Entries pack with eligibility criteria and other information can be found at http://www.nzbookawards.nz/new-zealand-book-awards-for-children-and-young-adults/how-to-enter/.

The judges of the 2021 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults will be announced in December, and their shortlist will be made public on 10 June 2021. The awards ceremony is planned for mid-August 2021 in Wellington.

The New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults are supported by Creative New Zealand, HELL Pizza, the Wright Family Foundation, LIANZA, Wellington City Council and Nielsen Book, and are administered by the New Zealand Book Awards Trust.
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Any queries about the Awards should be directed to the Awards Administrator at childrensawards@nzbookawards.org.nz.
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National Library announces new National Librarian – Te Pouhuaki

11/11/2020

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LIANZA congratulates their Immediate Past President, Rachel Esson - new National Librarian!

Rachel Esson has been appointed as New Zealand’s National Librarian Te Pouhuaki. Rachel takes up the role from within the National Library, where she currently serves as Director for Content Services.
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​LIANZA Executive Director Ana Pickering says that the association is  delighted with the appointment of Rachel Esson to the role of National Librarian. “LIANZA members have first-hand experience of Rachel’s commitment to the sector in her many association roles over the years; from LIANZA Health SIG, LIANZA Te Upoko te Ika a Maui regional councillor to LIANZA President. Rachel was also very involved in the bid to bring the IFLA WLIC to New Zealand and presented LIANZA’s Equal Pay Amendment Bill submission. And who can forget her cry to action at the conference in Manukau City last year – We are LIANZA! Our sector will be very proud of her appointment and our membership are looking forward to working with her in this new role."
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Te Tari Taiwhenua| Internal Affairs Deputy Chief Executive Information & Knowledge Services Peter Murray says this appointment panel was looking for a leader to cover collaboration, professional leadership, Te Ao Maori, strategy and delivery. 

“Rachel stood out due to her passion for libraries after a long career in various library areas - including her time with us as the Associate Chief Librarian Research Collections at Alexander Turnbull Library and as Director of Content Services.”
aRachel has a strong academic background in the library and information sector and significant involvement with the Library and Information Association (LIANZA) and is currently immediate past president. Rachel has been with National Library since 2012 when she joined after time at the Victoria University of Wellington Library, the University of Otago School of Medicine and Health Sciences and various other library organisations.

Rachel says there are extraordinary opportunities with the implementation of the Tāhuhu programme requiring a paradigm shift for the National Library and Archives New Zealand. “Now is the time to re-examine how we operate and deliver our services as we move increasingly into a digital world, removing barriers to turning knowledge into value for New Zealanders.”

The role of National Librarian – Te Pouhuaki is a strategic leadership position, charged with setting the direction for the National Library.

Peter Murray says with significant recent investment in Aotearoa New Zealand history and libraries, this is an exciting time to join the National Library and a key role in leading the work to better safeguard and preserve our collections so current and future generations can access our unique stories and heritage.

Recruitment opened earlier this year for the role of National Librarian Te Pouhuaki, following Bill Macnaught’s retirement.

“I would like to thank Bill for his great leadership of National Library over the past ten years, leading the establishment the library within the Department of Internal Affairs, He Tohu delivery, Services to Schools modernisation, and completing strategic Directions to 2030,” says Peter Murray. “Bill leaves us with a clear path to the future which I am delighted Rachel will take up in the leadership role.”

You can read an interview with Bill Macnaught in the December Issue of Library Life. 
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Rachel will assume the role of National Librarian Te Pouhuaki on 17 December.

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Rachel Esson is currently Director of Content Services at the National Library of NZ, a role she has held since 2016, having held senior and strategic roles in academic and research libraries, including Associate Chief Librarian Research Collections at the Alexander Turnbull Library. Rachel is a professionally registered librarian with a Master’s in Library and Information Science (MLIS) from Victoria University, and holds a Certificate in Tertiary Teaching from the University of Otago. She has researched and published in evaluation of library services. Before joining the National Library leadership team, Rachel was Associate Director, Library Academic Services at Victoria University and Medical Librarian (University of Otago, Wellington). She is actively involved with the Library and Information Association of NZ (LIANZA) and is Immediate Past President.
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Partnership Ratified at He Tohu

4/11/2020

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PastLIANZA's formal partnership with Te Rōpū Whakahau began in 1995 – the goal of this partnership was to provide mutual support and to set a visible example of the partnership principles described in the Treaty of Waitangi. The partnership is ratified every year by the Tumuaki and LIANZA President. This year the agreement was signed by LIANZA President, Anahera Morehu, and Te Rōpū Whakahau Past Tumuaki, Cellia Joe-Olsen, witnessed by ​Te Paea Paringatai. It seemed fitting to sign the agreement at He Tohu, the permanent exhibition of three iconic constitutional documents that shape Aotearoa New Zealand.
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IFLA Scroll of Appreciation awarded to Winston Roberts at IFLA General Assembly

4/11/2020

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Not many New Zealanders may have joined the IFLA General Assembly last night at 1-3am NZT. In normal circumstances this assembly would have been held at the world library and information congress in Dublin and many New Zealanders would have been at the assembly in-person to support (aka cheer, holler, sing) Winston Roberts as he received an IFLA Scroll of Appreciation. 

Winston Roberts has not only been one of the most active figures in New Zealand, but also in the global library field for many years. In doing so, he has made a major contribution to international librarianship, and richly deserves the IFLA Scroll of Appreciation.  LIANZA congratulates Winston on receiving this significant international award!
IFLA has indeed benefitted from his engagement for much longer than New Zealand Te Aotearoa itself. Starting his career at the British Library, he started his work for IFLA already in 1987 when he joined the Universal Bibliographic Control and International MARC Programme, helping to build and maintain the infrastructure that supports cooperation between libraries around the world.

Three years later, he moved on to work at IFLA Headquarters, coordinating IFLA’s highly diverse work to support the profession as a whole. In this role, he was able to build up links for the Federation in the Asia Oceania region, making IFLA more of a reality for librarians here, as well as encourage the development of key new standards and good practices which have shaped the way libraries work ever since.

We have benefitted from his energy in New Zealand Aotearoa since the millennium, when he came to work at the National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa. In this role, he has not only strengthened the National Library’s engagement in policy issues, but has also worked hard to raise the profile of IFLA and international librarianship within the country, as well as promoting New Zealand Aotearoa abroad. In particular, his strong engagement in IFLA’s Asia-Oceania section has brought many colleagues from across the region to the country, and allowed many local librarians to learn from others.

Winston has also worked hard to build understanding of the importance of engaging in policy and advocacy work. His close work with Internet NZ has meant not only that the digital and library fields are better connected, but has also supported libraries globally, notably through the inclusion of internet access in libraries as a key action line from the World Summit on the Information Society process.

Winston has also made a major contribution to IFLA itself. Outside of the Asia-Oceania Section, he has been a long-standing member of the National Libraries Section on behalf of the National Library of New Zealand, as well as a Secretary of the Conference of Directors of National Libraries. I know from colleagues how much his energy and dedication has been appreciated in these roles.

Similarly, he has very directly encouraged international linkages between libraries through his work with IFLA’s Special Interest Group on National Organisations and International Relations from 2015 and 2017, and then promoted engagement in policy by leading the Group on National Information and Library Policy in 2019-21.
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Winston Roberts is more than deserving of the IFLA Scroll of Appreciation, and will continue to set an example of international librarianship for some time to come.

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LIANZA Welcomes Two New PR Board Members

4/11/2020

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LIANZA Council was delighted to approve the appointment of two new members on the LIANZA Professional Registration Board. ​

Welcome to Sharon Cornwall, IPU New Zealand Tertiary Institute.
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​Sharon says, “I am looking forward to working as a PR board member so I can support LIANZA in its efforts to promote professional development among our members and to be able to give back to the library community. I see it as a rewarding role, and when talking to librarians as a means of encouraging them to apply and do activities that would contribute to their PD.”

Sharon has been Head Librarian at IPU New Zealand Tertiary Institute since February 2019, prior to this she was Collection Management Librarian at Wintec. She is currently a member of the LIANZA Ikaroa committee and has been involved in LIANZA Te Whakatikenga aa Kaimai committee. Sharon was also the Convenor of LIANZA Health SIG from 2011 to 2014, and has just stepped down from being a committee member on Health SIG. She was awarded a LIANZA Associateship in 2012.

Welcome also to Adrian Jenkins, Unitec Institute of Technology.
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​Adrian says, “Thank you for offering me this opportunity to contribute to the New Zealand library community and to the promotion of librarians across Aotearoa continuing to learn, grow and excel in our profession.  I look forward to playing my part towards the continued success and growth of the Professional Registration Scheme, as a representative of the tertiary library sector.”
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Adrian is currently Subject Librarian at the Unitec Institute of Technology, prior to that he was Knowledge Specialist at Unitec Institute of Technology. Adrian has been professionally registered since he completed his library qualification. He helped facilitate the Information Literacy Unconference in 2019; presented at LIANZA Hikuwai Conference Feedback Session after APLIC sponsorship in 2018; and presented a 'lightning presentation' at LIANZA Conference in 2012.

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LIANZA Professional Registration Board Chair

LIANZA Council also approved an extension of the current chair, Cath Sheard to November 2021.  The LIANZA Code of Practice requires that the incoming chair has served a year on the  current or previous PR Board.

Cath Sheard has served two terms since March 2014 and her term has been extended by one year, so that she can mentor a current member of the board into the role.

​LIANZA Council thanked Cath for her commitment to professional registration and willingness to stay on for one more year.
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Wellington Central Library Update

4/11/2020

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Last week, Wellington’s Mayor and City Councillors voted to strengthen Wellington’s Central Library, based on revised preliminary design, timeframes and cost information.
​“Restoring our much-loved Central Library service as quickly as possible has been our priority and today we voted for ‘Option C’ - to strengthen the building to the highest level to reopen by May 2025. Work will now commence on detailed design, interior options and services design,” says Mayor Andy Foster.
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Laurinda Thomas
​Libraries and Community Spaces Manager, Laurinda Thomas, says “It’s exciting (and a bit of a relief to be honest!) to have a decision about what’s next for the Central Library. The building itself is iconic, and there’s an amazing opportunity now to reimagine the space.

People have asked me if I’m disappointed about Council not going for a new building, and I’m honestly not! I’ve always felt that with the right scope we could do something amazing, either with the existing building or with something new. 

​I’ve drawn a lot of inspiration over the last year and half from libraries that have refitted their buildings or repurposed non-library buildings, and I think we can deliver something really special for Wellington while bringing the library “back home” to Te Ngākau Civic Square.” 

TIME LINE FOR WELLINGTON CENTRAL LIBRARY WORK

2019
MARCH
Wellington's central library closed on March 19, 2019 following advice received from engineers that the building may not be safe in the event of an earthquake.

The city's main library shut indefinitely at 8.30pm Tuesday after an engineers' report raised concerns about safety in the event of a major earthquake.

Reserve and return fees suspended. Loan limits for eBooks and eAudio extended
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APRIL
  • Longer opening hours for some branch libraries
  • Hutt City Libraries extends free membership to Wellington City Library members
  • Further due date extension for Central Library items on loan


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Arapaki Manners Library. Image: WCC
MAY
May 28, 2019 Mayor Justin Lester officially opened Arapaki Manners Library and Service Centre at 12 Manners Street. “Manners Street is a great location for the first in our network of replacement library services for the CBD, and a welcoming new space for our service centre customers. At Arapaki, Wellingtonians can browse and borrow items, read papers and magazines and even pay their rates or register their dog all in one place,” Mayor Lester says. WCL are planning for Arapaki to be in use for five years.

Arapaki has roughly 7500 items on the shelves. These include a small children’s collection and a range of fiction, non-fiction and AV items. Library staff are available to answer questions, process library payments, register new customers, and provide support and advice on the wide range of online content available through the eLibrary. Free wi-fi, self-service computers and a Council payments desk are also available.

​Work also starts on second CBD library, He Matapihi Molesworth Library, as part of a cooperative partnership with National Library of New Zealand.

JUNE
  • Rare books collection relocated to City Archives

JULY
  • Council’s peer review of engineering advice on the Central Library building completed
  • Professor Ken Elwood begins engagement with industry to identify and scope possible remedial engineering options for the Central Library building
  • Te Ngākau – Civic Precinct programme gets underway to look at the future of the area including the Central Library building
  • Beyond the Page festival held across Wellington City Libraries locations and the wider Wellington region

SEPTEMBER
  • Third CBD, Te Awa Library confirmed at Harbour City Centre, Brandon Street.
  • Te Pātaka Collection and Distribution Centre confirmed in Johnsonville to house Central Library’s collection of 400,000 items
  • Citizens Advice Bureau opens in James Smith Building
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James Smith Building. Image: WCC - Charles Collins.

OCTOBER
He Matapihi Molesworth Library opened to the public on Wednesday 9 October 2019 on the ground floor of the National Library at 70 Molesworth St, Thorndon, Wellington. He Matapihi Molesworth has been developed by the National Library and Wellington City Council as a partnership project and offers a library service and collection which complements the National Library's collection. He Matapihi will stay open at least until the end of 2021. The arrangement will then be reviewed depending on National Library's plans for future use of the site and the Council's decision-making about future central city library services.

Council industry engagement workshops were held to discuss possible remedial options for the Central Library building
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He Matapihi Molesworth Library. Image: WCC

NOVEMBER
  • Kanopy Film Festival held in seven Wellington City Libraries locations

DECEMBER
  • Waitohi – Johnsonville’s new community hub and library opens

2020
JANUARY
  • Visitors to Arapaki Manners Library and Service Centre and He Matapihi Molesworth Library reaches 225,0000 (200k and 25k respectively)

MARCH
  • Work starts to relocate Central Library collection to Te Pātaka 

APRIL/MAY
  • Planned meeting in March for Mayor and Councillors to receive engineering scenarios and next steps recommendations for Central Library building and Te Ngākau deferred under the COVID-19 lockdown. Scenarios will be reviewed in light of how COVID-19 will affect the economy and the Council’s future work programme and priorities and presented to Council on 27 May.
  • Work on Te Awe Library and Te Pātaka Collection and Distribution Centre resumes with restrictions under COVID-19 Alert Level 3 by 28 April and 4 May respectively

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Te Awe Library. Image: WCC
JULY

Te Awe Library in Lambton Quay opened on Tuesday 14 July, 2020. You can visit the library from the 29 Brandon Street entrance, or the one at 28 Panama Street, next to the Collective Café. Popular programmes like Baby Rock & Rhyme and pre-school story time are available here, along with other events which may include book clubs and author talks, free movie screenings, creative projects and activities. The Te Awe Library will remain open until it is no longer required to ensure continuity of central library services. The term of the lease is four years.
  • Te Pātaka collection accessible

OCTOBER
  • 28 October​ Central Library gets strengthening vote
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