| LIANZA wouldn't be the strong organisation it is today without the hard work from volunteers on our standing committees, advisory groups, project working groups and various other volunteer roles. We caught up with a few of our volunteer workers, asking them to introduce themselves, describe their work for LIANZA and tell us about why they feel it is important to do this work. |  |
We know that these members profiled below are just the tip of the iceberg, there are many more of you doing great work – for that, we thank you! This week we celebrate their contributions and raise awareness of their work as a way to celebrate all our volunteers.
Ma tini ma mano ka rapa te whai. By many, by thousands, the work will be accomplished. Unity is strength.
Ma tini ma mano ka rapa te whai. By many, by thousands, the work will be accomplished. Unity is strength.
Catherine Doughty
 | Tena koutou katoa. Nau mai, haere mai. Ko Ngati Pākehā te iwi. Ko Wainuiomata te hau kāinga. Ko Catherine Doughty tōku ingoa. I am a professionally qualified and registered librarian. Throughout my library career I have worked in public, college and tertiary libraries and currently I am a subject librarian in the Law Library at Victoria University of Wellington: Te Herenga Waka. I have a passion for personal and professional learning and seeking evidence-based practice to apply to my work. My strong commitment to professional development is evident through my professional registration status with LIANZA since 2008. |
I was invited to join the LIANZA Professional Registration Board in 2017 and since then I have reviewed many members’ journals. I have also supported and mentored new library graduates into professional registration. I really enjoy this part of the work when it is required.
Although my presence on the LIANZA registration board is a small contribution, I feel that I am giving back to the profession that has sustained me well over my 30 year career. I feel much gratitude for being able to work in my chosen profession and to have had the opportunities that LIANZA has afforded me.
Although my presence on the LIANZA registration board is a small contribution, I feel that I am giving back to the profession that has sustained me well over my 30 year career. I feel much gratitude for being able to work in my chosen profession and to have had the opportunities that LIANZA has afforded me.
Elaine Sides
 | Public libraries have played a huge role in my life. I acquired my first taste of what it was like to match community with libraries when I was employed by Waimairi District Council in a library assistant role at Redwood Library in Christchurch. Several years later I became Branch Librarian at Redwood. I then moved south to Balclutha and then to Dunedin where I spent nine of the next ten years as Mobile Librarian, responsible for two bookbuses, and several staff. In 1996 I moved back to Christchurch, and won the first of many positions I have held at Christchurch City Libraries – library assistant, Associate Team Leader, and Community Librarian in various libraries. In 2009, I moved into the world of collections when I became Selection and Access Team Leader, and then more recently Content Manager. Being awarded a LIANZA Fellowship in 2015 was definitely a high point in my career. |
I have been a strong supporter of LIANZA ever since I returned to Christchurch. I have had two stints on the Aoraki committee – two years as Treasurer, and then up until recently two years as Chair. During this time we organised a Weekend School, and offered a programme of professional development opportunities for interested members. Nationally, I have spent 6 years on the Professional Registration Board, of which 3 of these were as Chair; and facilitated numerous workshops on Professional Registration both locally, and regionally. I have also had input into the Rules Committee. I have attended many local and national LIANZA events, delivered a number of papers at LIANZA Conference, and mentored various colleagues on an individual basis.
Throughout my career, libraries have been very kind to me. I have met and worked with a huge number of talented and caring people who have willingly shared their knowledge and expertise with me; and helped me develop into the library professional I am today. Through LIANZA, I am able to pay some of that generosity back by sharing information, challenging people’s thinking, and promoting the value of networking with others outside of their own organisation. At the same time, I have increased my own networks, kept up to date with what is happening elsewhere, and gained personal satisfaction from the contributions I have made.
Throughout my career, libraries have been very kind to me. I have met and worked with a huge number of talented and caring people who have willingly shared their knowledge and expertise with me; and helped me develop into the library professional I am today. Through LIANZA, I am able to pay some of that generosity back by sharing information, challenging people’s thinking, and promoting the value of networking with others outside of their own organisation. At the same time, I have increased my own networks, kept up to date with what is happening elsewhere, and gained personal satisfaction from the contributions I have made.
Mark Hughes
 | Belonging to LIANZA, our professional association, has been an important component of my professional life. I was invited to attend Otago Southland regional events when I was a library assistant at the Dunedin Teachers College, and a result attended the region’s 50th anniversary event in November 1987. I formerly joined shortly afterwards, while studying full time at Victoria University of Wellington. Upon completing my Diploma I was appointed as the Technical Services Librarian at the Hocken Library. Within a short time, I was voted onto the regional committee, and ended up serving a term as Treasurer. I took a break from committee involvement due to additional work commitments. |
I was fortunate enough to be part of the Hocken Library Design Group that oversaw the planning of the conversion of a former Dairy Factory into the splendid building that has housed the Hocken Collections in Anzac Avenue since December 1998. I enjoyed working in a specialist library environment that I had helped design, for the next decade. In part, due to my experience with the Hocken, I moved on into a newly created role at the University of Otago Library, of Facilities Planning Co-ordinator. Over the last 12 years I have been very involved in the upgrading and consolidating of the University Library facilities, that coincidentally, includes the Hocken.
Being an active member of LIANZA, I enjoy the professional contact with a wide range of LIANZA members, particularly in our region. I have been the Chair of our regional committee twice, this being my second stint since 2016. When not the Chair, I have been the Treasurer. Due to the consolidation and improved management of LIANZA’s resources in recent years, being a community of interest treasurer is now so much easier! I really appreciate the support and promotional role that LIANZA provides to us, the membership. I also appreciate the lobbying that goes on, to ensure those in key decision making positions are aware of the important role that the Library and Information sector provides to our communities of interest here in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Being an active member of LIANZA, I enjoy the professional contact with a wide range of LIANZA members, particularly in our region. I have been the Chair of our regional committee twice, this being my second stint since 2016. When not the Chair, I have been the Treasurer. Due to the consolidation and improved management of LIANZA’s resources in recent years, being a community of interest treasurer is now so much easier! I really appreciate the support and promotional role that LIANZA provides to us, the membership. I also appreciate the lobbying that goes on, to ensure those in key decision making positions are aware of the important role that the Library and Information sector provides to our communities of interest here in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Natalie Smith
 | Tēnā koe, I’m Natalie Smith, Subject Librarian at Victoria University of Wellington, Te Herenga Waka. I’ve been a librarian for over 20 years, working in a few different types of libraries; parliamentary, school and academic. I’ve met some fantastic people who have helped me in my career and become lifelong friends. I particularly enjoy supporting students, whether it’s through a research consultation, information literacy workshop or connecting them to library resources. Over the last few years I’ve been a more active member of LIANZA, becoming professionally registered, attending the conference last year and becoming a co-convenor for TELSIG (Tertiary Library Special Interest Group). I’m also a member of the Strategic Leadership Working Group and the 2021 Conference Committee. So yes, I’m busy! |
But, why do I do it?
I find this work rewarding, I like working alongside other inspiring people across the country.
I feel it’s important to give back to the GLAMMI sector and if I can in some small way help to influence change, provide professional development opportunities and support LIANZA in being the best organisation it can be, then that’s great. I’m grateful we have such a wonderful community that connects us all.
Ngā manaakitanga, Natalie.
I find this work rewarding, I like working alongside other inspiring people across the country.
I feel it’s important to give back to the GLAMMI sector and if I can in some small way help to influence change, provide professional development opportunities and support LIANZA in being the best organisation it can be, then that’s great. I’m grateful we have such a wonderful community that connects us all.
Ngā manaakitanga, Natalie.
Sarah Powell
 | Kia ora! I’m Sarah Powell. I have held numerous copyright related jobs in museums across New Zealand, including as Rights Specialist at Auckland Museum. As a copyright practitioner I wear many hats including educator, open GLAM advocate, copyright law activist and sometimes even a private detective when I’m tracing living descendants of rights owners. Key areas of copyright that I am interested in include copyright reform (particularly around balancing fair use with the rights of creators), remedies for orphan works and protection of traditional knowledge. |
Copyright can often be seen as dry and boring, but in reality it’s a kaleidoscope of pathways that enable access and distribution of information to support the creation of new knowledge.
In my current role as Copyright and Open Access Advisor at Auckland University of Technology I am based within the AUT Library and I strive to make copyright legislation as easy as possible to navigate for Library staff, academics and students. I am also responsible for ensuring the University is copyright compliant and meeting our licence obligations.
I am the current chair of the LIANZA Standing Committee on Copyright. Our key focus is advocating on behalf of the library profession for more flexible copyright legislation through submissions on the MBIE Copyright Act review. Currently we are developing guidelines for public libraries on the Marrakesh Treaty and more recently negotiated the virtual storytimes agreement with publishers to allow librarians to read books online during the COVID-19 lockdown. The committee is also working on refreshing copyright resources and collecting evidence to support the next round of the MBIE Copyright Act review.
I am grateful to lead a committee made up of incredible people with a variety of skills and experience who contribute to our kaupapa. I am proud of the work that we undertake as it is invaluable for increasing access to knowledge, building on LIANZA’s relationship with authors, publishers and government agencies, and ensuring copyright legislation is fit for purpose for libraries. I look forward to continuing our mahi in these areas and appreciate the ongoing support from the LIANZA council, Ana, Helen and Jess to help us achieve these goals.
In my current role as Copyright and Open Access Advisor at Auckland University of Technology I am based within the AUT Library and I strive to make copyright legislation as easy as possible to navigate for Library staff, academics and students. I am also responsible for ensuring the University is copyright compliant and meeting our licence obligations.
I am the current chair of the LIANZA Standing Committee on Copyright. Our key focus is advocating on behalf of the library profession for more flexible copyright legislation through submissions on the MBIE Copyright Act review. Currently we are developing guidelines for public libraries on the Marrakesh Treaty and more recently negotiated the virtual storytimes agreement with publishers to allow librarians to read books online during the COVID-19 lockdown. The committee is also working on refreshing copyright resources and collecting evidence to support the next round of the MBIE Copyright Act review.
I am grateful to lead a committee made up of incredible people with a variety of skills and experience who contribute to our kaupapa. I am proud of the work that we undertake as it is invaluable for increasing access to knowledge, building on LIANZA’s relationship with authors, publishers and government agencies, and ensuring copyright legislation is fit for purpose for libraries. I look forward to continuing our mahi in these areas and appreciate the ongoing support from the LIANZA council, Ana, Helen and Jess to help us achieve these goals.
Sarah Tester
 | I’m Sarah and I’m the newly elected chair of the LIANZA Aoraki committee. I’m an Archivist by background and grew up in the North West of England not far from the city of Liverpool. I spent five years working as an Archivist in the UK on a range of archive cataloguing and community engagement projects. I’ve been in New Zealand for 4 years almost to the day, and now living and working in Christchurch. I’m a Resource Description and Access Librarian at Christchurch City Libraries, working to make digital heritage accessible via our new platform, Canterbury Stories, and engaging the public through the Discovery Wall. |
I’ve been involved with LIANZA since I started at Christchurch City Libraries two years ago, as a member of the Aoraki committee. Moving into the role of Aoraki committee chair is a big step up for me but I’m looking forward to the challenge.
The Aoraki committee prides itself in being able to provide a range of professional development and social events throughout the year, from weekend schools to quizzes, walking tours and even a board games night! Over the coming year we want to keep the momentum going with hosting at least one event every couple of months for the region. Aoraki region covers a large area so we’re always trying to think creatively, consider what we can do digitally, and how we can support different regions to deliver their own events.
Joining the committee was a chance to learn about how the library and information sector works here in New Zealand, as well as network with colleagues from different institutions. There are so many varied roles in libraries, and the people I have met through LIANZA have taught me so much about the incredible work libraries do for our communities.
To me, LIANZA is vital for connecting people together, as it’s so easy to get lost in your job role and not think about other ways of working; there’s always so much we can learn from each other. I look forward to meeting more of you at Aoraki events, digitally or in person, in the near future.
The Aoraki committee prides itself in being able to provide a range of professional development and social events throughout the year, from weekend schools to quizzes, walking tours and even a board games night! Over the coming year we want to keep the momentum going with hosting at least one event every couple of months for the region. Aoraki region covers a large area so we’re always trying to think creatively, consider what we can do digitally, and how we can support different regions to deliver their own events.
Joining the committee was a chance to learn about how the library and information sector works here in New Zealand, as well as network with colleagues from different institutions. There are so many varied roles in libraries, and the people I have met through LIANZA have taught me so much about the incredible work libraries do for our communities.
To me, LIANZA is vital for connecting people together, as it’s so easy to get lost in your job role and not think about other ways of working; there’s always so much we can learn from each other. I look forward to meeting more of you at Aoraki events, digitally or in person, in the near future.
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