WHO GOT THE JOB: Lewis Ioane
Lewis Ioane is a Wellington-based librarian of Samoan, Tuvaluan and NZ European descent. Originally from Tāmaki Makaurau, Lewis graduated from AUT with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in both Chinese and Japanese language studies. He also holds knowledge in many languages from Te Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa, such as Te Reo Māori, Samoan, Tongan, Rotuman, Tokelauan and others. Since 2017, he has worked in libraries in both Auckland and Wellington City before joining the team at Porirua Libraries. Beginning as a shelver he is now at Porirua City Libraries as the Māori & Pacific Collection Librarian.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOB?
My new job is with Porirua Libraries as the Māori & Pacific Collection Librarian (Māori me Te Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Kaitiaki Pukapuka). In my role, I am responsible for acquiring, maintaining and reshelving items belonging to the Māori and Pacific collections, as well as working with other kaimahi to raise awareness for our languages, cultures and people of the Moana.
WHY DID THIS ROLE INTEREST YOU?
I was interested in this role, as tangata moana, because of its responsibility for the development, access to and promotion of the Māori and Pacific collections and related library services delivered to our communities of the Moana. I have had past roles where I have been fortunate enough to get involved in this type of work. But to be fully immersed in mahi like this and have it as my priority every day is almost dream-like and I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to jump onboard with Porirua Libraries. My only wish is that I’m able to connect well with our local Māori and Pasifika communities here and showcase what we have to offer to our wider local community.
WHAT PROJECTS WILL YOU BE WORKING ON WITHIN YOUR ROLE?
I am starting to develop the smaller parts of the Pacific Junior collection so that a wide range of books for tamariki are available in as many of our Pacific languages as possible. The collections I am wanting to build on first are the Tokelau, Fiji, Niuē and Kiribati collections, with a new Tūvalu collection also now in development. I am also currently looking at how better to support and promote language and cultural initiatives surrounding our Pacific language weeks and Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, especially for our tamariki and rangatahi (children and youth).
IN THE FUTURE, WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE IN THIS ROLE?
I hope that I’m able to connect and build lasting relationships with more Māori and Pacific peoples in Porirua through outreach and community engagement. I also aim to create more of a safe, welcoming environment in the library for our people where they can see what we have to offer and gain a sense of belonging in our vā (space).
WHAT DOES A FUN WORKING DAY IN YOUR NEW ROLE INCLUDE?
A fun day in my role can involve telling bilingual stories to young students and children and doing fun craft activities or games at our smaller branch libraries with the aim to promote Te Reo Māori and the Pacific languages. Other fun parts of my role include engaging with my local Māori and Pacific communities and bringing their talents into the library for the community to see, such as a new tīvaevae learner’s group we have come in and practice in our main branch on weekends. I’ve even promised to join them and learn myself!
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR SOMEONE AIMING TO PROGRESS THEIR CAREER IN LIBRARIES?
I would say don’t be afraid to apply for any role that speaks to you, even if you feel you don’t meet the job requirements. I wasn’t confident in my abilities when applying for my current position and had many doubts clouding my thoughts leading up to the final date to apply. but ultimately, I applied and was successful. You’ll never know if you don’t try! I would also say take up opportunities for personal and professional development wherever possible. You never know when those cultural workshops, community connections, evening language classes, or anything like that will come in handy in the future.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOB?
My new job is with Porirua Libraries as the Māori & Pacific Collection Librarian (Māori me Te Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Kaitiaki Pukapuka). In my role, I am responsible for acquiring, maintaining and reshelving items belonging to the Māori and Pacific collections, as well as working with other kaimahi to raise awareness for our languages, cultures and people of the Moana.
WHY DID THIS ROLE INTEREST YOU?
I was interested in this role, as tangata moana, because of its responsibility for the development, access to and promotion of the Māori and Pacific collections and related library services delivered to our communities of the Moana. I have had past roles where I have been fortunate enough to get involved in this type of work. But to be fully immersed in mahi like this and have it as my priority every day is almost dream-like and I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to jump onboard with Porirua Libraries. My only wish is that I’m able to connect well with our local Māori and Pasifika communities here and showcase what we have to offer to our wider local community.
WHAT PROJECTS WILL YOU BE WORKING ON WITHIN YOUR ROLE?
I am starting to develop the smaller parts of the Pacific Junior collection so that a wide range of books for tamariki are available in as many of our Pacific languages as possible. The collections I am wanting to build on first are the Tokelau, Fiji, Niuē and Kiribati collections, with a new Tūvalu collection also now in development. I am also currently looking at how better to support and promote language and cultural initiatives surrounding our Pacific language weeks and Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, especially for our tamariki and rangatahi (children and youth).
IN THE FUTURE, WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE IN THIS ROLE?
I hope that I’m able to connect and build lasting relationships with more Māori and Pacific peoples in Porirua through outreach and community engagement. I also aim to create more of a safe, welcoming environment in the library for our people where they can see what we have to offer and gain a sense of belonging in our vā (space).
WHAT DOES A FUN WORKING DAY IN YOUR NEW ROLE INCLUDE?
A fun day in my role can involve telling bilingual stories to young students and children and doing fun craft activities or games at our smaller branch libraries with the aim to promote Te Reo Māori and the Pacific languages. Other fun parts of my role include engaging with my local Māori and Pacific communities and bringing their talents into the library for the community to see, such as a new tīvaevae learner’s group we have come in and practice in our main branch on weekends. I’ve even promised to join them and learn myself!
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR SOMEONE AIMING TO PROGRESS THEIR CAREER IN LIBRARIES?
I would say don’t be afraid to apply for any role that speaks to you, even if you feel you don’t meet the job requirements. I wasn’t confident in my abilities when applying for my current position and had many doubts clouding my thoughts leading up to the final date to apply. but ultimately, I applied and was successful. You’ll never know if you don’t try! I would also say take up opportunities for personal and professional development wherever possible. You never know when those cultural workshops, community connections, evening language classes, or anything like that will come in handy in the future.