WHO GOT THE JOB- Melanie Brebner
Tell us a little bit about your new job. Where is it? What does it entail?
My new job is District Library Manager with Matamata-Piako District Libraries. I am mostly based at Te Aroha Library, although I also make regular visits to Morrinsville and Matamata Libraries. The job involves planning, developing, and delivering library services to the district, ensuring that we continue to adapt and innovate to meet the changing needs of our community.
Why did this role interest you?
I wanted to move from a more operational role to work at a more strategic level. I think it is an exciting time to be working in libraries and leading a team to meet the challenges and opportunities in such a dynamic environment.
What projects will you be working on within your role?
My first goal is to work towards being fines-free on adult books – fingers crossed for the next financial year. Things are tight, so we may have to push this one out.
One of my team members is a kākaho (Library Sustainability Champion) with Whiria te Tāngata. So I am interested to see how we can implement the project workstreams into our current practice. Staff development as a whole is important to me, so this body of work is something I am looking forward to. We have specific goals around developing staff knowledge of te ao Māori, with the objective of improving library services to mana whenua.
Prior to me starting this role, the team had been working in partnership with students through Design Factory NZ at Wintec, taking a design thinking approach to answering the question: ’How we could increase the use of our libraries by a broader range of residents? ’Recommendations included a mobile library service and creating of makerspaces. We will be considering how we can incorporate these into our services under a constrained budget.
We will also work on consistent wayfinding throughout our three libraries, including bilingual signage.
My new job is District Library Manager with Matamata-Piako District Libraries. I am mostly based at Te Aroha Library, although I also make regular visits to Morrinsville and Matamata Libraries. The job involves planning, developing, and delivering library services to the district, ensuring that we continue to adapt and innovate to meet the changing needs of our community.
Why did this role interest you?
I wanted to move from a more operational role to work at a more strategic level. I think it is an exciting time to be working in libraries and leading a team to meet the challenges and opportunities in such a dynamic environment.
What projects will you be working on within your role?
My first goal is to work towards being fines-free on adult books – fingers crossed for the next financial year. Things are tight, so we may have to push this one out.
One of my team members is a kākaho (Library Sustainability Champion) with Whiria te Tāngata. So I am interested to see how we can implement the project workstreams into our current practice. Staff development as a whole is important to me, so this body of work is something I am looking forward to. We have specific goals around developing staff knowledge of te ao Māori, with the objective of improving library services to mana whenua.
Prior to me starting this role, the team had been working in partnership with students through Design Factory NZ at Wintec, taking a design thinking approach to answering the question: ’How we could increase the use of our libraries by a broader range of residents? ’Recommendations included a mobile library service and creating of makerspaces. We will be considering how we can incorporate these into our services under a constrained budget.
We will also work on consistent wayfinding throughout our three libraries, including bilingual signage.
In the future, what do you hope to achieve in this role?
At the recent PLNZ Managers’ forum, we were challenged to become “exemplary Tiriti partners”. That is something that I aspire to. I would like to continue the work of my predecessor, in creating a collaborative and harmonious workplace where people can grow and develop in their roles. Our district is growing, both in terms of numbers and diversity. I would like our libraries to continue growing to meet the needs of the community, becoming places people use regularly in a variety of ways, and are proud of.
What does a working day in your new role include?
Probably like most of us, I have to be disciplined about answering emails, or I could be stuck in my inbox all day. I plan “big rocks” into my calendar on a weekly basis, where I set aside time to work on tasks such as projects, reviewing budgets, performance appraisal meetings with direct reports, signing contracts, writing reports or proposals, and preparing workshop presentations to Council.
There are often meetings with my team, my manager, colleagues, or peers from other libraries. I factor in a couple of hours per day to account for inevitable interruptions and serendipitous conversations, which always seem to bear a lot of fruit.
My guilty pleasure is to throw on a tutu and join in with presenting Toddler Time. Recently, a film crew filmed in the Te Aroha Library, so there was a lot of background work involved with obtaining permits and negotiating terms. It will be exciting to see our little library in the final TV series.
At the recent PLNZ Managers’ forum, we were challenged to become “exemplary Tiriti partners”. That is something that I aspire to. I would like to continue the work of my predecessor, in creating a collaborative and harmonious workplace where people can grow and develop in their roles. Our district is growing, both in terms of numbers and diversity. I would like our libraries to continue growing to meet the needs of the community, becoming places people use regularly in a variety of ways, and are proud of.
What does a working day in your new role include?
Probably like most of us, I have to be disciplined about answering emails, or I could be stuck in my inbox all day. I plan “big rocks” into my calendar on a weekly basis, where I set aside time to work on tasks such as projects, reviewing budgets, performance appraisal meetings with direct reports, signing contracts, writing reports or proposals, and preparing workshop presentations to Council.
There are often meetings with my team, my manager, colleagues, or peers from other libraries. I factor in a couple of hours per day to account for inevitable interruptions and serendipitous conversations, which always seem to bear a lot of fruit.
My guilty pleasure is to throw on a tutu and join in with presenting Toddler Time. Recently, a film crew filmed in the Te Aroha Library, so there was a lot of background work involved with obtaining permits and negotiating terms. It will be exciting to see our little library in the final TV series.
What advice do you have for someone aiming to progress their career in libraries and information services?
- Take responsibility for your own professional development. Nobody will be as invested in your career as you are. This might mean studying or attending professional development opportunities in your own time.
- Be brave when applying for roles. If you’ve got most of the essentials, throw your hat in the ring. Highlight how the skills you do have to make you the best person for the job or state how you might work towards that if you are successful. If you are unsuccessful, ask what you would need to do to be successful in the future, or if there are other roles coming up that you might be considered for.
- Don’t be afraid to move sideways or even take a small step backward or to extend your knowledge through formal study if it will enable you to work towards what ultimately excites you. There are so many possibilities in the LIS sector and there isn’t always a straightforward path to getting there.
- Get involved with your professional body. Not only will it help develop skills and provide opportunities for networking, but it also enables you to give back to your professional community, which is great for your wellbeing.
“I have been involved with TELSIG, where I started up a journal discussion group and was involved in organising two TELSIG forums. I am now on the Te Whakakitenga aa Kaimai committee, which is providing me with the opportunity to meet other librarians in the region.”
MELANIE’S BACKGROUND
I started my library career as a library assistant at a school library. I loved it so much, I decided to study towards my MLIS. I took a job as a Senior Library Assistant at the Homai Special Formats Library, which gave me two days a week to study. The timing fitted well, and I took up the role of Homai Special Formats Librarian, just after finishing my MLIS. I then became a Subject Librarian, Law at the Davis Law Library, at The University of Auckland, completing a law degree part-time over eight years while there.
I then took a team leader role at the Information Commons. As part of the restructuring of Te Tumu Herenga, I became a Team Leader, Learning and Teaching Development. Around this time, I realised that my values aligned better with public libraries, and I was also getting tired of the daily commute. So, I started applying for positions outside of Auckland. I got a job with Hauraki District Council, as Library Services Team Leader, which brought us down to Paeroa. My latest move has been to my current role, as District Library Manager with Matamata-Piako District Council.
I started my library career as a library assistant at a school library. I loved it so much, I decided to study towards my MLIS. I took a job as a Senior Library Assistant at the Homai Special Formats Library, which gave me two days a week to study. The timing fitted well, and I took up the role of Homai Special Formats Librarian, just after finishing my MLIS. I then became a Subject Librarian, Law at the Davis Law Library, at The University of Auckland, completing a law degree part-time over eight years while there.
I then took a team leader role at the Information Commons. As part of the restructuring of Te Tumu Herenga, I became a Team Leader, Learning and Teaching Development. Around this time, I realised that my values aligned better with public libraries, and I was also getting tired of the daily commute. So, I started applying for positions outside of Auckland. I got a job with Hauraki District Council, as Library Services Team Leader, which brought us down to Paeroa. My latest move has been to my current role, as District Library Manager with Matamata-Piako District Council.