Tracy Maniapoto Library and Information Services Lecturer at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington Library
I have a Bachelor of Information Technology from Whanganui UCOL, now Te Pūkenga, and a Master of Information Studies (MIS) from Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington. I am currently studying for a PhD in Māori Studies through Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University and my doctoral research explores the revitalisation of the Māori language within libraries, archives and museums.
My first role was as a library assistant at the local polytechnic. I remember being well supported by the other library assistants when I started and learned a lot from their experiences. They provided much of the technical, on-the-job training.
While working, I enrolled on the information studies post-graduate certificate at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University. Eventually, I moved into a librarian role in a neighbouring city. Over time I staircased my qualification into a Master of Information Studies. Upon reflection, I should have enrolled directly on to the masters but lacked the confidence to think I could complete it.
After meeting my partner at a LIANZA conference I moved to Auckland and worked in the library at the University of Auckland. From there, I shifted across to public libraries and was based at Auckland Central Library as Senior Librarian Collections before moving into academic roles in Māori health and the library and information studies sector.
ACADEMIC ROLES
I worked as a curriculum and assessment writer and lecturer for Open Polytechnic, now Te Pūkenga, in the design and delivery of three courses: LIS504 Te Ao Māori in the Information Environment, LIS505 Introduction to Communication, Advocacy and Marketing, and LIS506 Collection Management in Libraries. It was very rewarding to be part of a team contributing to developing these courses for the Bachelor of Library and Information Studies .
I also taught on the Hauora Māori and Environment paper at Auckland University of Technology (AUT). One of the key highlights was working with library staff from AUT South Campus library to develop a Hauora Māori (Māori Health) subject guide to support first-year students.
For the past six years, I’ve worked part-time with the School of Information Management at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University as a teaching fellow. More recently, I was appointed as a full-time lecturer in January 2023. This year I’m teaching in four courses and am currently redesigning the INFO533 Services to Special Groups course for Trimester 3. The format for this course is a six-week intensive programme, rather than the traditional 12-week programme – quite a shift from the norm and I’m looking forward to seeing what the students develop over this time.
INVOLVEMENT WITH TE RAU HERENGA O AOTEAROA LIANZA
I have been involved with LIANZA Te Rau Herenga o Aotearoa for several years, taking up roles with Tel SIG, Te Rau Ora Library Life, Hikuwai Committee, and the Professional Registration Board.
I attended my first LIANZA conference in 2011 and participated in my first lightning presentation based on an assessment I did as part of the MIS. The conference gave me the opportunity to share what I had learned with other like-minded professionals.
As a national body, LIANZA is pivotal in creating and developing a thriving library network and ensuring our presence remains. I am a National Council member of the LIANZA Council and am excited to give back and support the library and information sector.
My first role was as a library assistant at the local polytechnic. I remember being well supported by the other library assistants when I started and learned a lot from their experiences. They provided much of the technical, on-the-job training.
While working, I enrolled on the information studies post-graduate certificate at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University. Eventually, I moved into a librarian role in a neighbouring city. Over time I staircased my qualification into a Master of Information Studies. Upon reflection, I should have enrolled directly on to the masters but lacked the confidence to think I could complete it.
After meeting my partner at a LIANZA conference I moved to Auckland and worked in the library at the University of Auckland. From there, I shifted across to public libraries and was based at Auckland Central Library as Senior Librarian Collections before moving into academic roles in Māori health and the library and information studies sector.
ACADEMIC ROLES
I worked as a curriculum and assessment writer and lecturer for Open Polytechnic, now Te Pūkenga, in the design and delivery of three courses: LIS504 Te Ao Māori in the Information Environment, LIS505 Introduction to Communication, Advocacy and Marketing, and LIS506 Collection Management in Libraries. It was very rewarding to be part of a team contributing to developing these courses for the Bachelor of Library and Information Studies .
I also taught on the Hauora Māori and Environment paper at Auckland University of Technology (AUT). One of the key highlights was working with library staff from AUT South Campus library to develop a Hauora Māori (Māori Health) subject guide to support first-year students.
For the past six years, I’ve worked part-time with the School of Information Management at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University as a teaching fellow. More recently, I was appointed as a full-time lecturer in January 2023. This year I’m teaching in four courses and am currently redesigning the INFO533 Services to Special Groups course for Trimester 3. The format for this course is a six-week intensive programme, rather than the traditional 12-week programme – quite a shift from the norm and I’m looking forward to seeing what the students develop over this time.
INVOLVEMENT WITH TE RAU HERENGA O AOTEAROA LIANZA
I have been involved with LIANZA Te Rau Herenga o Aotearoa for several years, taking up roles with Tel SIG, Te Rau Ora Library Life, Hikuwai Committee, and the Professional Registration Board.
I attended my first LIANZA conference in 2011 and participated in my first lightning presentation based on an assessment I did as part of the MIS. The conference gave me the opportunity to share what I had learned with other like-minded professionals.
As a national body, LIANZA is pivotal in creating and developing a thriving library network and ensuring our presence remains. I am a National Council member of the LIANZA Council and am excited to give back and support the library and information sector.
EARLY CAREER ADVICE
Find your tribe – this is about your sense of belonging. Build your networks, join communities of interest, surround yourself with those who support you and genuinely have your best interests at heart. If you can’t find a tribe, start one!
Keep learning – this is about your professional growth and wellbeing. Read often, watch that webinar, talk with your peers, apply for grants to attend a conference, or apply for a scholarship to start a degree. You might just get one!
Transferable skills – find ways to get your start. If you are not working in the sector yet but are ready to apply, reflect on how transferrable your skill set is to the role or sector you are applying for and start building a list of examples for your CV and interview.
Find your tribe – this is about your sense of belonging. Build your networks, join communities of interest, surround yourself with those who support you and genuinely have your best interests at heart. If you can’t find a tribe, start one!
Keep learning – this is about your professional growth and wellbeing. Read often, watch that webinar, talk with your peers, apply for grants to attend a conference, or apply for a scholarship to start a degree. You might just get one!
Transferable skills – find ways to get your start. If you are not working in the sector yet but are ready to apply, reflect on how transferrable your skill set is to the role or sector you are applying for and start building a list of examples for your CV and interview.