Image: some of the participants at the LIANZA Te Upoko o te Ika a Maui’s Library Assistant Day
A successful Library Assistant Day was held on August 19 by LIANZA Te Upoko o te Ika a Maui.
With over 60 people attending the event, participants came from as far afield as Invercargill. Held every two years, this event gave library assistants the chance to network with people working in the sector, learn about the careers of frontline library and archive staff and those of library managers, hear about library and information qualifications, and visit National Libraries He Tohu and other collections.
With over 60 people attending the event, participants came from as far afield as Invercargill. Held every two years, this event gave library assistants the chance to network with people working in the sector, learn about the careers of frontline library and archive staff and those of library managers, hear about library and information qualifications, and visit National Libraries He Tohu and other collections.
Image: Grace and Jenna from Invercargill Participants came from as far afield as Invercargill. Held every two years in Whanganui a Tara, these events are an opportunity to provide professional development specifically focused on library assistants, giving them the chance to network with and ask questions of people working in the sector.
Library assistants heard about the careers of people in the sector and about LIANZA. They learned that many of the presenters, including Te Pouhuaki National Librarian Rachel Esson, and LIANZA president, Kim Taunga, started their own careers as library assistants.
Library assistants heard about the careers of people in the sector and about LIANZA. They learned that many of the presenters, including Te Pouhuaki National Librarian Rachel Esson, and LIANZA president, Kim Taunga, started their own careers as library assistants.
Library assistants from Wellington City Libraries
They were introduced to the career journeys of those working at the frontline and the varied areas of mahi in the sector that include archival, cultural and heritage work, subject areas such as health, special libraries as well as public libraries.
Library managers: Laurinda Thomas - Wellington City, Wendy Horne - Upper Hutt City Council, and Kareen Carter - University of Otago, talked about their own career journeys. They all began their own careers as library assistants. Their advice for building a library career: step out of your comfort zone, make the most of your opportunities, step sideways sometimes to get where you want to be, don't limit yourself, and don't be fearful - sometimes you just have to try new things.
At the 2022 event, qualification pathways were introduced and tours of the Alexander Turnbull Library special collections and He Tohu were provided.
Participants commented that they enjoyed the event:
“Hearing about the work experiences and career paths of other librarians/library assistants and also the presentation about the Treaty and visit the display.”
“It was wonderful to hear all of the presentations. I really enjoyed hearing from some of our leaders about their career journeys, and really marvelled at how REAL they were. Speaking of personal truths and just being inspiring. Hearing about study options was wonderful too and being able to speak to some of the presenters during the break to get a better insight about my own journey was really helpful too.”
“I would definitely recommend this day, in fact I already have. I would say that there is something for everyone, and if they are looking for a bit of inspiration or just want to network, this is a great opportunity.”
Library managers: Laurinda Thomas - Wellington City, Wendy Horne - Upper Hutt City Council, and Kareen Carter - University of Otago, talked about their own career journeys. They all began their own careers as library assistants. Their advice for building a library career: step out of your comfort zone, make the most of your opportunities, step sideways sometimes to get where you want to be, don't limit yourself, and don't be fearful - sometimes you just have to try new things.
At the 2022 event, qualification pathways were introduced and tours of the Alexander Turnbull Library special collections and He Tohu were provided.
Participants commented that they enjoyed the event:
“Hearing about the work experiences and career paths of other librarians/library assistants and also the presentation about the Treaty and visit the display.”
“It was wonderful to hear all of the presentations. I really enjoyed hearing from some of our leaders about their career journeys, and really marvelled at how REAL they were. Speaking of personal truths and just being inspiring. Hearing about study options was wonderful too and being able to speak to some of the presenters during the break to get a better insight about my own journey was really helpful too.”
“I would definitely recommend this day, in fact I already have. I would say that there is something for everyone, and if they are looking for a bit of inspiration or just want to network, this is a great opportunity.”
Participants had a few suggestions for the day, such as icebreaker activities to encourage library assistants to hear about the work of each other; discussions on areas such as pay equity for library assistants; and next steps for those already qualified and working as library assistants.
Thanks to the LIANZA Te Upoko o te Ika a Maui community for organising this awesome event: Jennifer Klarwill, Kareen Carter, Judith Porter, Ivy Guo, Natalie Smith, and Aaron Wanoa
Thanks to the LIANZA Te Upoko o te Ika a Maui community for organising this awesome event: Jennifer Klarwill, Kareen Carter, Judith Porter, Ivy Guo, Natalie Smith, and Aaron Wanoa
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