Library Services to Multicultural Populations Section – Sabine Weber-Beard
Photo credit: Sabine Weber-Beard
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Sabine says, "I started working officially for the Far North District Libraries as a library assistant in the Kaikohe branch in 2001. Not long after it was changed to an assistant librarian role and then half-time systems librarian.
This time included doing all that public libraries do. Running district-wide children events, participating in Christmas parades, storytimes, collection exchanges, reading challenges and then trying to improve library services and making things easier for us all. In 2008 I was appointed to the full-time position as the systems librarian. Five years acting-branch manager for Kaikohe Library, system upgrades, eBook consortium, APNK sign up and more. And now my title is Senior Librarian – Systems. I also still manage the Kaeo Library." |
About the IFLA Library Services to Multicultural Populations Section
This IFLA section brings together libraries and institutions interested in the development and availability of library services designed to meet the needs of cultural and linguistic minorities. The section is striving to share its experience in library services to multicultural populations in view of the necessity to ensure that every member of our global society has access to a full range of library and information services. In order to achieve this, it promotes international cooperation in this field. In 2008 the IFLA Library Services to Multicultural Populations Section received the American Library Association's Presidential Citation for International Innovation.
This IFLA section brings together libraries and institutions interested in the development and availability of library services designed to meet the needs of cultural and linguistic minorities. The section is striving to share its experience in library services to multicultural populations in view of the necessity to ensure that every member of our global society has access to a full range of library and information services. In order to achieve this, it promotes international cooperation in this field. In 2008 the IFLA Library Services to Multicultural Populations Section received the American Library Association's Presidential Citation for International Innovation.
Kia ora Sabine, thank you for sharing your experiences with our readers. Firstly, how did you get started working in IFLA?
I caught up with Dr Matt Finch at the LIANZA conference in 2017 in Christchurch and he mentioned a German conference that was at the same time/place as the Frankfurter Buchmesse. His idea was for me to spread my wings and present at that conference. I spoke to Joanna Matthew (former LIANZA Executive Director) and she mentioned the IFLA bid to get the IFLA World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) to come to New Zealand. I had already seen some of the live streams of the IFLA conference in Wroclaw and was hooked.
I signed up to the IFLA mailing list and when the email about the IFLA WLIC in Kuala Lumpur arrived, with information about a grant and free congress ticket, I sent my application in. I was so fortunate to get it, so off to Kuala Lumpur I went. There I was just so happy to meet so many new people and tell them that I was from New Zealand that I posted heaps on social media with the hashtags. That is how I then got voted on as a committee member and officially involved.
What does it actually involve – day-to-day?
Day-to-day at the moment is not that busy. It is low-level decision making or about different social media posts. I look at the IFLA emails and share with my team what I think is interesting to them. I am part of the social media team for our section so try to find relevant New Zealand events or happenings to post on these platforms.
How do you handle the workload? Do you get release time from your day job?
I am an early starter, so get things done before the hectic part of the day starts and am lucky to have a manager who supports me in this. After the Athens WLIC in 2019, where I was asked to help with the 2020 satellite conference in London, there were heaps of back-and-forth emails with discussion and decision making as we are all in different time zones. That was a bit stressful because, often as the newbie, I didn't quite understand enough of how to do some of those things. It was an interesting learning curve and we got it all done and then Covid happened. But at least we are all set for when the IFLA congress might happen again in Ireland.
I also have been lucky to have had financial support from my council.
Is working in IFLA only something for senior LIS professionals?
This was what I thought when I first heard about IFLA. But now I know it is for everyone.
It is a bit scary at first but you can be yourself and we all have to start from somewhere.
What do you get out of working with IFLA? How does it help your career?
I am part of an international library network and have made library friends from around the world. I am in contact with many of them, can ask them questions and they do the same to me. They are not all from my section and often there are programmes working across sections, which is very exciting as these appeal to a bigger demographic audience.
What would you say to someone contemplating working with IFLA?
Go for it. But make sure your manager/workplace is aware of this. If you enjoy sharing experiences, working with other people, love other cultures and don’t mind middle-of-the-night meetings then this is for you.
What is the most enjoyable aspect of being on the Library Services to Multicultural Populations Section Standing Committee?
Meeting and working with other librarians, and not just public librarians from around the world. Seeing what programs and activities are being done to help and support minorities and less privileged library users. It is a very diverse committee and community. The ECHO team who presented their Athens refugee program at the 2019 Congress and were the inaugural recipient of our award for multiculturalism in libraries are one reason why I love being part of this.
What’s the most challenging?
I have to say that those 2 am committee meetings are on top of my list. The different time zones always give those of us in New Zealand and Australia a slight disadvantage.
What impact does living in New Zealand bring to your IFLA work?
I think most countries nowadays are multi-cultural societies and New Zealand is no different. We in New Zealand might not have the volume of refugees like European countries but this does not mean we don't understand some of the issues. So the down-under thinking or mindset – coming up with different solutions – is a great way to contribute at times.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell our readers about working with IFLA?
Any organization or team is only as good as its members. You need to have an open mind, LOVE what you do and be open to sharing.
Being part of the team to get IFLA 2020 New Zealand happening was an amazing experience and while significant events did not make it possible to do this, it was a fantastic achievement for everyone involved.
Thank you so much for your time! I hope you get a good break over summer.
I caught up with Dr Matt Finch at the LIANZA conference in 2017 in Christchurch and he mentioned a German conference that was at the same time/place as the Frankfurter Buchmesse. His idea was for me to spread my wings and present at that conference. I spoke to Joanna Matthew (former LIANZA Executive Director) and she mentioned the IFLA bid to get the IFLA World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) to come to New Zealand. I had already seen some of the live streams of the IFLA conference in Wroclaw and was hooked.
I signed up to the IFLA mailing list and when the email about the IFLA WLIC in Kuala Lumpur arrived, with information about a grant and free congress ticket, I sent my application in. I was so fortunate to get it, so off to Kuala Lumpur I went. There I was just so happy to meet so many new people and tell them that I was from New Zealand that I posted heaps on social media with the hashtags. That is how I then got voted on as a committee member and officially involved.
What does it actually involve – day-to-day?
Day-to-day at the moment is not that busy. It is low-level decision making or about different social media posts. I look at the IFLA emails and share with my team what I think is interesting to them. I am part of the social media team for our section so try to find relevant New Zealand events or happenings to post on these platforms.
How do you handle the workload? Do you get release time from your day job?
I am an early starter, so get things done before the hectic part of the day starts and am lucky to have a manager who supports me in this. After the Athens WLIC in 2019, where I was asked to help with the 2020 satellite conference in London, there were heaps of back-and-forth emails with discussion and decision making as we are all in different time zones. That was a bit stressful because, often as the newbie, I didn't quite understand enough of how to do some of those things. It was an interesting learning curve and we got it all done and then Covid happened. But at least we are all set for when the IFLA congress might happen again in Ireland.
I also have been lucky to have had financial support from my council.
Is working in IFLA only something for senior LIS professionals?
This was what I thought when I first heard about IFLA. But now I know it is for everyone.
It is a bit scary at first but you can be yourself and we all have to start from somewhere.
What do you get out of working with IFLA? How does it help your career?
I am part of an international library network and have made library friends from around the world. I am in contact with many of them, can ask them questions and they do the same to me. They are not all from my section and often there are programmes working across sections, which is very exciting as these appeal to a bigger demographic audience.
What would you say to someone contemplating working with IFLA?
Go for it. But make sure your manager/workplace is aware of this. If you enjoy sharing experiences, working with other people, love other cultures and don’t mind middle-of-the-night meetings then this is for you.
What is the most enjoyable aspect of being on the Library Services to Multicultural Populations Section Standing Committee?
Meeting and working with other librarians, and not just public librarians from around the world. Seeing what programs and activities are being done to help and support minorities and less privileged library users. It is a very diverse committee and community. The ECHO team who presented their Athens refugee program at the 2019 Congress and were the inaugural recipient of our award for multiculturalism in libraries are one reason why I love being part of this.
What’s the most challenging?
I have to say that those 2 am committee meetings are on top of my list. The different time zones always give those of us in New Zealand and Australia a slight disadvantage.
What impact does living in New Zealand bring to your IFLA work?
I think most countries nowadays are multi-cultural societies and New Zealand is no different. We in New Zealand might not have the volume of refugees like European countries but this does not mean we don't understand some of the issues. So the down-under thinking or mindset – coming up with different solutions – is a great way to contribute at times.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell our readers about working with IFLA?
Any organization or team is only as good as its members. You need to have an open mind, LOVE what you do and be open to sharing.
Being part of the team to get IFLA 2020 New Zealand happening was an amazing experience and while significant events did not make it possible to do this, it was a fantastic achievement for everyone involved.
Thank you so much for your time! I hope you get a good break over summer.