Executive Director's Report

Kia ora tātou,

Public Libraries of New Zealand‘s commitment to supporting our members runs deep as we seek to learn from our experiences, and invest in our people, processes, and systems to ensure an improved, effective model for delivering PLNZ programmes, events, and campaigns. The following details our achievements against the four strategic focus areas of our Statement of Intent (SOI) and plan for 2020/21: Advocacy. Community. Collabora 1tion. Voice.

1

ADVOCACY

In 2021-2022, we built on the success of the national campaign Literacy in Life, by launching Fine Free Aotearoa in May 2022. Now 56% of NZ public libraries are totally fine free for adult and children’s overdue fines. The website and toolkit are widely available and well used, nationally, and generated interest, internationally. This outstanding achievement by New Zealand’s public libraries was recognised in the mainstream media throughout 2021-22. PLNZ played an important role in delivering information as part of the Central Government’s Economic Recovery Strategy which included submissions for extended funding and hardship grants for many public libraries from the New Zealand Libraries Partnership Programme. We have also seen recognition and active championing of public libraries through the appointment and support of a Library Policy Advisor, Marion Read, within LGNZ. COMMUNITY

During 2021-22, PLNZ experienced a significant uptake of online engagement resulting in an increase in members’ participation in a range of forums, including PLNZ Listservs, regular regional ZOOM meetings, the Taking Care of Business programme, and staff development opportunities. We endeavoured to provide timely and accurate information on COVID-19 restrictions to the public library sector, liaising with Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ), Taituarā, and various Central Government advisory groups to clarify public health mandates and ensure the safety of our workforce, our whanau, and their communities.

"It has been inspiring to see libraries respond to the many opportunities and challenges with a passionate commitment to community wellbeing. "

PLNZ delivered several successful online professional development opportunities and information sessions for the sector. Topics included: How modern libraries are cultivating thriving communities. guest speaker Kay Mercer, Events Coordinator for Dunedin Public Libraries. Māori Collections: Separated or Integrated with guest speaker Dr Spencer Lilley and Hinehapainga Rameka-Katterns, and Ali Te Pohe. Getting the Most out of your Data Collection webinar with National Data Collection, Project Lead, Tiffany Rawlings was broadcast twice. Epic Consortium: Benefits Challenges, and Trends with guest speaker Paula Banks and facilitator, Lisa Salter.

While PLNZ team members work from home, we have enjoyed the opportunity to visit and meet in our member library spaces when restrictions permitted. We were also delighted to plan for another (albeit deferred) face-to-face Forum of Library Managers in Christchurch, hosted by Christchurch Central Library Tūranga and Te Ara Ātea libraries. This attracted new levels of sponsorship and record registrations despite the threat of cancellation.

COLLABORATION

PLNZ continued to support the activities of the National Library on several research projects, surveys, and quarterly info-sharing meetups with the National Librarian, Rachel Esson. Working closely with LIANZA, we released joint Statements of Position on COVID19 and Fine Free Aotearoa and continued to amplify their PD programmes through our e-bulletins. We also partnered with Taituarā, the Department of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Health to bring information sessions for our members. On the research front, PLNZ has actively engaged with numerous individuals, organisations, tertiary educators, government departments, and our affiliates to raise the profile and work of Public Libraries. We have also fielded queries from the media and set up interviews with librarians. It has been a concerted effort and one we can all be proud of. These connections have led to stories about the work of public libraries appearing regularly in print and broadcast media providing a more complete view of libraries’ value and performance.

VOICE

A highlight of 2021-22 has been to gain recognition for public libraries’ contribution to the four Wellbeings: social, economic, environmental, and cultural. This has been helped by funding from the NZLPP and the Taituarā/PLNZ Joint Initiative CoCr8 collaboration is ongoing. Having shared our data, public libraries will be able to calculate how their programmes and services are contributing to the local and global good.

In June 2022, Taituarā and PLNZ presented at the 4th Government Data Summit to numerous government departments working in the data collection space. Delegates were particularly impressed with Taituarā’s Living Libraries dashboard and PLNZ’s professional development programme to upskill and create library managers with a data mindset. It has been a big year! As the Executive Director, it has been inspiring to see libraries respond to the many opportunities and challenges with a passionate commitment to community wellbeing. I wish to thank the PLNZ Executive Committee for their continued leadership and guidance. Thanks also to the library managers, members, partners, and library staff for making my job easier by sharing your experiences and giving your support. I’d especially like to acknowledge and thank the hardworking members of Fine Free Aotearoa and Brilliant Data Working Groups: Louise LaHatte (Project Lead FFAWG), Rob Baigent, Pete Gray, Luisa Haines, Lois Haddon, Dyane Hosler, Marion Read, Cynthia Smith. Tiffany Rawlings (Project Lead BDWG), Brian Anderson, Paul Andrews, Rob Baigent, Fiona Brooks, Lisianne Hoch.

And finally, a big thanks to the PLNZ Team: PLNZ Virtual Assistant, Tania DeJonge; Finance Officer, Alan Collins; Cultural Support, Harley Kaihe Katterns; Data Analyst, Paul Andrews; and Project Officer, Fiona Broo 2ks . I feel very fortunate to work among such professional, big-hearted people.

Hilary Beaton, CAE Executive Officer Public Libraries of New Zealand