Each month we feature an individual who has recently moved to a new role in the library and information sector within New Zealand. This month we’re featuring Linda Stopforth who has recently started a new role at Wellington City Libraries.
Linda was just beginning to find her feet in her new job when lockdown came and added a new dimension. But, she says, the purpose of this position is to engage with the Wellington business community and promote the research services and resources we offer to assist them.
She is a librarian with several decades of experience across the special library world working in private and public organisations. These days she wears several hats dividing her time between her new role, her own business interests and doing the administration work for a small charitable trust, YETI Nepal.
Linda was just beginning to find her feet in her new job when lockdown came and added a new dimension. But, she says, the purpose of this position is to engage with the Wellington business community and promote the research services and resources we offer to assist them.
She is a librarian with several decades of experience across the special library world working in private and public organisations. These days she wears several hats dividing her time between her new role, her own business interests and doing the administration work for a small charitable trust, YETI Nepal.
I have a background in special libraries with experience in commercial organisations and understand the different aspects of business. In my previous role I was doing a lot of business intelligence gathering and identifying leads that our sales team could follow up. I have also run my own business for over a decade. Add to that I am a long-time resident of Wellington, enthusiastic about what this city offers and this role brings all that together into one place.
I’m excited about reaching out to the Wellington business community, raising awareness, and creating use of the wide range of resources (including a great team of very knowledgeable staff) available to businesses, when those businesses may not have thought about the library being able to assist them.
I'd like to see an increased uptake of our online learning resources including business databases like Katalyst and the training resources available through LinkedIn learning would be great. I’d also like to work with the library team to develop guest speaker events where people in the community can share their business journeys and experiences with others.
As I write this we’re still in L4 lockdown. The highlight of my day is the 11am Dom-Post quiz via Teams with my colleagues. Its great technology can allow us to connect each day in this way.
My advice to someone aiming to progress their career in libraries is to not stop learning and developing new skill sets. Make the most of professional development opportunities offered at work or by LIANZA. But also develop general skills and experience that is transferable. Sign up for a first aid course, or to be the union rep, or volunteer for the social club and help organise the Christmas party. Don’t forget that skills learned through volunteering in the community also help develop you and can usually be applied to the workplace.
I’m excited about reaching out to the Wellington business community, raising awareness, and creating use of the wide range of resources (including a great team of very knowledgeable staff) available to businesses, when those businesses may not have thought about the library being able to assist them.
I'd like to see an increased uptake of our online learning resources including business databases like Katalyst and the training resources available through LinkedIn learning would be great. I’d also like to work with the library team to develop guest speaker events where people in the community can share their business journeys and experiences with others.
As I write this we’re still in L4 lockdown. The highlight of my day is the 11am Dom-Post quiz via Teams with my colleagues. Its great technology can allow us to connect each day in this way.
My advice to someone aiming to progress their career in libraries is to not stop learning and developing new skill sets. Make the most of professional development opportunities offered at work or by LIANZA. But also develop general skills and experience that is transferable. Sign up for a first aid course, or to be the union rep, or volunteer for the social club and help organise the Christmas party. Don’t forget that skills learned through volunteering in the community also help develop you and can usually be applied to the workplace.
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