LIBRARYLife
07 FEATURES NGA TOHU
Starry cluster of new pukapuka
Dear Delaware
The Internet Archive copyright case
The challenge of summertime reading
Backing our books 20
NEWSBOARD PITOPITO KŌRERO
Warm Pacific greetings
Book review – Creating a Person-centred Library
Sharing research at RAILS2023
In memoriam - John Laurie
Remembering Alison Elliot
28 REGULAR COLUMNS
Library Mahi: Pani Christie and Wainuomata Hub
Library of the Issue: Mt Roskill Library
Tertiary Profile: Qualification aids senior librarian
Dave Tucker
History Corner: Ada Fache and Edith Jessie Carnell
Freedom of Information: Disinformation
Climate Action: Supporting local eco festivals
COVER IMAGE
Whaea Lynne Te Aika with her grandchildren, joined Tuahine Justice to present an intergenerational story time event
EDITOR & ADVERTISING
Angela Cairncross
LIANZA Communications Advisor angela@lianza.org.nz
LIANZA Media Kit available on request
DESIGN
Jess Buchanan-Smith
LIANZA Office & Design Manager
WEB
https://librariesaotearoa.org.nz/ library-life
EDITORIAL STATEMENT
Library Life is the digital magazine of New Zealand’s Library and Information Association Te Rau Herenga o Aotearoa. Providing a voice for the views and news on issues relating to the GLAMIR sector. You may use material found in this publication in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 CC BY licence for any purpose if the original creator is acknowledged.
FROM THE EDITOR NĀ TE KAITĀTARI
ANGELA CAIRNCROSS
This is Ivy Guo’s first column for her LIANZA presidency which begins in July. We thought it would be a good time to introduce Ivy as Te Rau Ora Library Life moves to be a quarterly issue from the 2024/25 year, and the next issue will be in September.
Another change for Te Rau Ora Library Life will be a focus on everyday library mahi. In this issue, we meet the creative team at the Wainuiomata Neighbourhood Hub and Library. We hear about the Mt Roskill library, an essential seven-day-a-week community facility, with services, collections and events designed for one of the most culturally diverse areas in Aotearoa.
Our special feature looks at the kaupapa behind the books chosen by Christchurch City Libraries’ Maatakiwi Wakefield (Kāi Tahu whānui, Te Ati Awa, Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Maniapoto) and Ngapiu Tainui Maclure (Kāi Tahu whānui, Te Rarawa) for Kete’s Matariki books selection.
We also look at a pen pal programme between Delaware and Wellington City libraries, a different way to approach summer reading, and an Ockham’s library champion. Moving away from public libraries we explore the US’s Internet Archive copyright case and learn about the presentations at RAILS2023. There’s so much more in this very full issue.
Ngā mihi nui,
Angie Cairncross
LIANZA Communications Advisor
FROM THE PRESIDENT
N Ā TE TUMUAKI
IVY GUO
LIANZA PRESIDENT-ELECT
Kia ora koutou, 大家好！
Ko Ivy Guo ahau. My name is Guo Xiaolu 郭小璐. I am the Resource and Acquisitions team manager at Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University of Wellington. If anyone looks me up online, you will see that my social media account has a threekeyword intro: Chinese, librarian, Wellington. That’s me, that’s where I’m from, who I am, and where I want to be.
This is my first column for Te Rau Ora Library Life as I begin my
role as president of LIANZA in a few weeks. On July 1 I will be stepping into the big shoes left by Richy Misilei and serving as the president for the next year.
I can only describe the feeling as simply surreal. My colleagues have heard this story many times about how excited I was when I was offered my first library job as a library assistant. Fast-forward 17 years, and I find myself saying the same thing today to describe my career as I did on my first day on the job—how incredibly lucky I am!
My involvement with LIANZA started small: helping to organise a regional weekend school and sending an article to the TEL SIG Journal Discussion Group. Through these involvements, I met many people who take immense pride in their work, and they truly grew my understanding and appreciation of the library and information sector in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our workforce's diversity, enriched by various cultural and social backgrounds, is a testament to the sector's inclusive spirit. This diversity not only brings a wealth of perspectives but also strengthens our commitment to serving our communities effectively.
This is not intended to downplay the current and upcoming challenges. The rapid advancement of technologies like artificial intelligence presents both excitement and concern. Economic pressures, including budget cuts, and social issues, such as the recent controversies surrounding rainbow story-time events, add layers of complexity to our mission.
LIANZA is committed to amplifying the voices of the sector, supporting individual growth and development, and fostering connections among our members. Over the past year, I am grateful to be a part
of an organisation that has done remarkable work. The LIANZA 2023 Conference was an absolute highlight. It was great to see many colleagues enjoying the post-COVID, in-person networking opportunity and utilizing the platform for valuable discussions. The Freedom-toRead toolkit has proved essential in navigating social and political disruptions.
Looking ahead, we will continue to engage with everyone to better understand and address the needs of our sector. My belief in our collective strength guides my goals for the next 12 months. I will continue taking opportunities to strengthen our connections across the GLAM sector, working with key stakeholders and association leaders to create opportunities and tackle challenges collaboratively. The council and the LIANZA Office
are developing strategic plans to ensure the association's long-term financial stability and enhance its operational efficiency, enabling it to fulfil our mission sustainably.
I am excited to welcome our new council members who will join us in July: Mark Crookston, the upcoming president-elect, and Hana Whaanga, a new council member. Lydia Tsen will replace Kimberley Symon as our new treasurer. It was a real pleasure to work with Kimberley, and I will miss her extensive knowledge of budget management, her unconditional support of the council, and her lovely smile.
Finally, I want to give a big shout-out to Kim Taunga, our amazing immediate past president, who is preparing to step down from the council next month. Her presence will be deeply missed.
Please continue to support Te Rau Ora Library Life, and I look forward to sharing my thoughts and the work of LIANZA and the council with you.
书不尽意，余言后续。
Nāku iti noa, nā
Ivy Guo President-elect, Te Rau Herenga o Aotearoa LIANZA
Ivy Guo, Richy Misilei and Kim Taunga, LIANZA 2023 Conference. Image credit Jane Wyles.
Share your digital collections and engage your community
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For Libraries
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Create a connected collection
Recollect’s unique approach to metadata allows your library to create customised metadata fields, adopt an existing schema, or develop bespoke standards. Through applying custom metadata, your library can create a web of connections between items, ensuring your community can find the items they’re looking for, as well as easily discover and access related content.
Tailor your user experience
Recollect’s cloud-based platform is configured to incorporate your enduser’s requirements. Curate sub-collections for local communities, and create research guides for specific groups, researchers, and academics. Consolidate historical regional plans and council documents for government and public administrations, or utilise Recollect’s wide range of discovery widgets to engage your community.
Nurture community engagement
You’ll have the option to allow community members to actively contribute knowledge to your collection, enriching it with their own photographs, oral histories, or other historically significant material. You can also give users the ability to supplement existing content by tagging images or leaving comments. Recollect’s moderation functionality provides your library with full control over community contributions.
STARRY CLUSTER OF NEW PUKAPUKA
A BIGGER PICTURE ON MATARIKI
Maatakiwi Wakefield and Ngapiu Tainui Maclure shine a light on the kaupapa behind this year’s Winter Reading Matariki books selection.
Throughout June, the Māori Library Services team at Christchurch City Libraries celebrate and share their mātauranga about Matariki and Puaka. Providing mātauranga Māori based programmes, the team of four deliver community education, make school visits, curate resources, support whānau days on marae and in community organisations, run training and professional development across 22 libraries, and across Christchurch city and the Banks Peninsula. They also contribute to the So Many Stories podcast on both Plains FM and the Christchurch City Libraries website.
This year, Kaitakawaenga Maatakiwi Wakefield and Pou Kohikohinga (Māori Collections Specialist) Ngapiu Tainui Maclure have added one more star to this cluster of activities: leading the selection of Matariki books in Kete Books’ Winter Reading guide.
Their selection brings together 18 books from the more than 90 new titles submitted by publishers for this year’s guide. It includes books for children on Matariki – available in English and te reo Māori like Miriama Kamo’s The Kai Stars of Matariki, and the new adventure story Ariā and the Kūmara God by Witi Ihimaera. Dahlia Malaeulu’s Mataali'i a story rich in Samoan cultural values, is here too. However, the selection also features books that weren’t specifically written or published for Matariki but which, through kaupapa and subject matter, connect to one or more of the nine Matariki whetū (stars).
“We were thinking about helping people to look at the bigger picture and deeper meaning of Matariki,” says Maatakiwi. “We’d like people to realise how interlinked and woven together everything is.”
Christchurch City Libraries has celebrated Matariki within its communities for more than 20 years. In 2016, not long before Maatakiwi joined the first iteration of this Māori Library Services team, Māori astronomer Professor Rangi Mātāmua began teaching Te Iwa o Matariki.
Images from left. Tūranga whānau day crafts. Matariki wishing tree. Images supplied. GIVE
“It’s from Rangi Mātāmua’s teachings, and local oral traditions, that our team base our programming and deliveries. I’ve been fortunate to have studied under Rangi and Kāi Tahu astronomer Tori Campbell which has also seen us incorporate Kāi Tahu oral traditions relating to Puaka into our deliveries,” says Maatakiwi. “Matariki and Puaka are environmental indicators. Observing them and learning more about them, helps us to connect with our environment.”
Learning and teaching this mātauranga Māori is something Ngapiu has enjoyed over her three years with the team. “Mātauranga Māori is a living knowledge, it is active knowledge,” she says. “Through intergenerational practice, it helps us connect with our environment which is increasingly important in today’s climate.”
To make this selection of new books, Maatakiwi and Ngapiu – first independently, then together – considered how the titles submitted potentially related to each star’s kaupapa. The final list includes books for eight of the nine whetū, with only one star, Waipunarangi the star associated with ua or rain, not represented.
“You might wonder why a book like Te Ata o Tū in the Shadow of Tūmatauenga: the New Zealand Wars Collection of Te Papa is in a list for Matariki, but it stood out for me because it’s a rich tapestry of New Zealand history,” says Maatakiwi. “We both agreed that it aligns perfectly to Pōhutukawa – the star of remembering those that have gone before us.”
“Hopurangi—Songcatcher the collection of poems inspired by the Maramataka by Robert Sullivan, is another selection for the Matariki list that we considered holistically,” says Ngapiu. “Thinking of the links between poetry and breath, then breath and the wind, Ururangi, the star related to the winds was an obvious choice.”
“Hā means both sound and breath, and there is a natural relationship between the spoken word being carried on both the human breath and the breath of the winds,” Maatakiwi continues, recalling a moment at a tangi when the karakia was
beginning in the Whare. “I told my Aunty, who was sitting away that we were all wanted over there. She smiled and replied, “ma te hau e kawe – leave it for the wind to carry.” “
“Both Matariki the kaupapa and the star cluster are about a lot more than twinkle, twinkle little star,” say Maatakiwi and Ngapiu. “It’s big picture stuff, it’s about the environment around us, how we connect to it and about our own wellbeing – physical, mental and spiritual.”
“Matariki is the star relating to hauora or wellbeing and health. This is why we’ve included Evolving by Judy Baily in the selection. It talks about mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing as you grow older. For us, it definitely fits into the Matariki sphere as guidance on dealing with death, grief, resilience, looking after the kids, retirement, sleep, healthcare, and dementia,” says Maatakiwi.
Piki te Ora a wellbeing journal for children based on the Māori principles of hauora and Hinemoa Elder’s Waitohu: a Journal for Making Meaning are among the titles in the selection aligned with Hiwai-te-rangi.
“An exercise we do with kids around Matariki is to set goals – because Hiwa is about aspirations and goal-setting – traditionally that might have been around planting or even health. But with the kids now it might be ‘who wants to learn to kick a goal, or maybe something around making new friendships.”
Read the second instalment in this two-part interview ‘Storytelling at Matariki and Puaka’.
Maatakiwi Wakefield (Kāi Tahu whānui, Te Ati Awa, Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Maniapoto) is Kaitakawaenga with Māori Services at Christchurch City Libraries.
Ngapiu Tainui Maclure (Kāi Tahu whānui, Te Rarawa) is with Māori Services at Christchurch City Libraries.
Mānawatia a Matariki mā te pānui i tēnei hōtoke!
Celebrate Matariki with winter reading! Find out more about this selection of Matariki reading at www.ketebooks.co.nz
Ngā Kupenga a Nanny Rina
Qiane Matata-Sipu, illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White 9781776958191
A heart-warming Matariki story, originated in te reo Māori, about aroha, whānau and welcoming the new year. An English translation Nanny Rina’s Amazing Nets is also available.
PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE NZ | PB | $21
Mataali‘i
Dahlia Malaeulu 9781738606030
FetŪ, the youngest of a unique family of matai (chiefs), becomes a guiding light for her village and a reminder of the enduring power of ‘āiga (family).
MILA’S BOOKS | PB | $28
Nanny Mihi’s Harvest Te Hauhake a Nanny Mihi
Melanie Drewery, illustrated by Suzanne Simpson, translated by Kanapu Rangitauira 9781990042577
The latest in this popular series instils Matariki and Maramataka ideas, as Nanny Mihi’s mokopuna help plant her garden, and watch their labours bear fruit.
ORATIA BOOKS | PB | $21
Piki te Ora: Your Wellbeing Journal
Hira Nathan and Jessie Eyre, illustrated by Huriana Kopeke-Te Aho 9781991006745
A fully illustrated wellbeing journal for children, based upon the Māori principles of hauora, from the bestselling author of Whakawhetai: Gratitude
ALLEN & UNWIN NZ | PB | $29.99
Matariki Key
My Matariki Colouring and Activity Book
Isobel Joy Te Aho-White 9781775438762
This 96-page activity book is based on the best-selling book, Matariki Around the World by Miriama Kamo and Rangi Matamua.
SCHOLASTIC NEW ZEALAND | PB | $17.99
Ariā and the Kūmara God Witi Ihimaera, illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White 9781776958085
A lively new stand-alone adventure picking up from The Astromancer’s nail biting finish, exploring another myth connected to Matariki. Also available in te reo Māori! PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE NZ | HB |$25
The Kai Stars of Matariki Tupuānuku and Tupuārangi 9781775438694
Ko Ngā Whetū Kai o Matariki Tupuānuku rāua ko Tupuārangi 9781775438700
Miriama Kamo, illustrated by Zak Waipara
Sam and Te Rerehua are excited to give thanks to Tupuānuku and Tupuārangi, the stars connected to food grown in and above the ground. But one night, those sneaky Patupaiarehe return and start eating the stored eel ... can they come up with a plan to replace the kai?
SCHOLASTIC NEW ZEALAND | PB | $21.99
Waitohu A Journal for Making Meaning Dr Hinemoa Elder 9781776950898
An inspiring journal to help you make deeper connections from the bestselling author of Aroha and Wawata
PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE NZ | PB | $35
Use this key to see which Matariki stars each book aligns to.
Matariki — mother of the other stars, connected to health, wellbeing, and bringing people together
Pōhutukawa — the star connected to those who have passed and to their remembrance
Tipuānuku — the star connected with food grown in the ground
Tipuārangi — the star connected with food high above the ground including berries and birds
Ururangi — the star connected with the winds
Waitī — the star connected with freshwater and freshwater life
Waitā — the star connected with oceans and ocean life
Waipunarangi — the star connected with rain
Hiwa-i-te-rangi — the star connected with aspirations and hopes for the year ahead
Te Ata o Tū The Shadow of Tūmatauenga
The New Zealand Wars Collections of Te Papa
Matiu Baker, Katie Cooper, Michael Fitzgerald, Rebecca Rice
9780994146083
This richly illustrated book, developed in partnership with iwi, helps us understand why the wars occurred and how their legacy of conflict endures.
TE PAPA PRESS | HB | $70
Hopurangi—Songcatcher
Poems from the Maramataka
Robert Sullivan
9781776711222
Ngā mihi whakawhetai nui ki a rātou e whai ana i te ara mātauranga o ō mātou mātua tūpuna!
A new collection from acclaimed poet Robert Sullivan, inspired by the Māori lunar calendar.
AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY PRESS | PB | $29.99
Five Wee Pūteketeke
Nicola Toki, illustrated by Jo Pearson
9781991006899
From Nicola Toki, Chief Executive at Forest & Bird, comes the official children’s book about the world-famous pūteketeke, Aotearoa New Zealand’s Bird of the Century!
ALLEN & UNWIN NZ | PB | $22.99
Coastal Fishes of New Zealand
A comprehensive guide to identification and behaviour
Malcolm Francis 9781988550619
A comprehensive, up-to-date identification guide to the coastal fishes likely to be encountered by New Zealand divers and fishers.
POTTON & BURTON | PB | $49.99 OUT 1 JULY
Hiwa
Contemporary Māori Short Stories
Edited by Paula Morris, consulting editor Darryn Joseph 9781869409951
A vibrant, essential collection of contemporary Māori short stories, featuring twenty-seven writers working in English or te reo Māori.
AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY PRESS | PB | $45
Buzzz!
Native Bugs of Aotearoa
Donovan Bixley
9781869715045
Award-winning author Donovan Bixley expands on his collection about Aotearoa’s native flora and fauna with BUZZZ! Native Bugs of Aotearoa.
LITTLE MOA | HB | $24.99
Ruru
Night Hunter
Katie Furze, illustrated by Ned Barraud
9781775438397
Evolving Finding Health & Happiness as We Age
Judy Bailey
9781775542049
A much-loved broadcaster shares new science and personal stories that have shaped her own path into older age.
HARPERCOLLINS | PB | $39.99
This stunningly illustrated book, set in an urban landscape, follows Ruru’s nocturnal activities, where he hunts prey, feeds his chicks and navigates the dangers lurking within his environment.
SCHOLASTIC NEW ZEALAND | PB | $21.99
Foraging New Zealand
Peter Langlands
9780143775898
Learn the secrets of foraging in Aotearoa from one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s foremost experts! PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE NZ | PB | $50
The
Fight for Freshwater A Memoir
Mike Joy
9781991033840
Mike Joy’s journey to becoming a freshwater ecologist and advocate for the preservation of waterways is as winding as the rivers he strives to protect.
BRIDGET WILLIAMS BOOKS | PB | $39.99 OUT 1 JULY
With thanks to Isobel Joy Te Aho-White (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa) and Scholastic for illustrations from My Matariki Colouring and Activity Book. Thanks to Maatakiwi Wakefield (Kāi Tahu whānui, Te Ati Awa, Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Maniapoto) and Ngapiu Tainui-Maclure (Kāi Tahu whānui, Te Rarawa), Māori Library Services at Christchurch City Libraries, for help with this Matariki reading selection.
DEAR DELAWARE
SNAIL MAIL SUCCESS CONNECTS WELLINGTON AND
In early 2023, an out-of-the-blue email sparked an ongoing international partnership between 10 Delawarean libraries and the 12 branches of Wellington City Libraries. Our ‘Dear Delaware’ pen pal program has now been running for ten months and has a total of around 600 participants who write letters that travel over 14,000 kms around the globe.
Our participants are really enthusiastic about the program, and it’s proved surprisingly popular among all age groups. Upon launching, we quickly discovered that many kids had never written a letter before and had no idea what a pen pal was. Parents are thrilled to see their children put so much effort into their letters. They love that it allows them to practice their writing skills and learn while making new friends- trading stories of kiwis and coyotes. Adults have really responded to the nostalgia of having a pen pal. Connecting with someone slowly without instant digital technology allows a unique way of getting to know someone. The patience required is sometimes a learning curve, but nothing beats the feeling of receiving mail!
PLANNING AND STRUCTURE
Working closely with my Delawarean counterpart Robin, we took the time to plan and exchange ideas, considering our population sizes and differing structures of library networks. Being very responsive and open-minded from the get-go helped facilitate a positive exchange as we set up the program. We agreed that while some elements we could figure out as we go, an important point to be aligned on from the beginning were the terms for children’s participation and our obligations around sharing participants' details to match pen pals safely. We settled on a library-to-library format, where all participants pick up and drop off their letters at their local library, which are then centralised and sent in one bulk package. This ensures no personal addresses are shared and no cost is incurred for participants.
We allowed a month to promote the program to the public and register participants, offering paper forms in branches and an online version (for ages 16+ only). Lots of our libraries made fun, creative displays and crafted mailboxes for the
desk. We never expected the initial uptake to be as successful as it ended up being! During this launch period, we regularly compared our registration numbers to ensure the demand for the program aligned and that neither side would end up on a long waitlist. We also closely watched the age ranges of children registering, as we agreed to only pair within a +/- 2-year age bracket. We set up a dedicated staff member at each branch with whom we could liaise directly - they play an integral role in ensuring everything runs smoothly at each branch.
PAIRING PEN PALS
For children, we focus on pairing by age first. For adults, we look at finding common interests. The initial round of pairing hundreds of pen pals was quite the undertaking and Robin put her hand up to take on the task. I still receive customer feedback saying how pleased they are with their pen pal, so safe to say she’s got the touch! We use a shared Google spreadsheet for the pairing and any changes. This is particularly useful given the substantial time zone differences. We keep independent spreadsheets of participants' full information and contact emails, only sharing details for the pairing process (name, age, interests and home library).
MAINTENANCE AND COSTS
We slightly underestimated how much time the program would need for ongoing administration work. It’s structured to be as simple as possible at the branch level, so Robin and I handle all the customer notifications. We also keep a detailed
letter log of the mail coming and going each round, meaning we can check in with those who haven’t written in a while and re-pair their pen pal if need be.
We don’t set our deadline schedules in advance, as unexpected delays will inevitably occur. We take it round-by-round and only notify customers of the next deadline with their letter collection email. We find most letters are eagerly collected within the first few days, but we allow a two-week window for customers to pick up and write a reply.
The only real cost of the program is the international postage fees, which can’t be helped. A large box usually costs somewhere around $100-$150. I believe the ‘Friends of the Library’ community group covers this cost in Delaware.
FUN SUGGESTION
I’d recommend an additional ‘staff-only’ registration for a librarian-to-librarian exchange! Several staff members are connecting with fellow librarians and sharing ideas about programming, best practices, and the day-to-day differences of library life.
GET STARTED!
Due to the success we’ve had with our partnership Robin has setup a private Facebook group to help connect other librarians wanting to start pen pal programs! Please feel free to join ‘Worldwide Library Pen Pal Connections’ on Facebook to get started or email me directly at: tess. mehonoshen@wcc.govt.nz
Tess Mehonoshen is the non-fiction specialist at Wellington City Libraries. Tess coordinates ‘Dear Delaware’ and organises library events, new services, adult programming and social media.
THE INTERNET ARCHIVE COPYRIGHT CASE
The Internet Archive is a non-profit organisation that maintains a digital library of websites and other resources and aims to provide free access for academics, professionals, those with print disabilities, and the public. Founded by Brewster Kahle, it began in 1996 by archiving the Internet. As it grew, other works were added and in 2005, it began to digitise books. Over 4,000 books are scanned daily. This article examines the copyright case brought against the Internet Archive by several publishers and what it means for digital access to information.
The archive is a member of several library and archival associations, with funding coming through donations and grants and the provision of web archiving and digitisation services. Additionally, in response to the COVID pandemic, the National Emergency Library was opened from March to June 2020, containing books for educational, research, and interest purposes. However, educational centres and libraries were in lockdown without a waitlist for borrowing.
However, in a case presided over by Judge John G. Koeltl, four publishers – Hachette, Harper Collins, Wiley and Penguin – alleged that the Internet Archive breached the copyright of 127 books by scanning and lending copies without permission. In its defence, the Internet Archive stated that it had no liability for copyright because it “makes fair use of the works in suit” (Koeltl, 2023a, p. 1), including with their National Emergency Library (Koeltl, 2023). Several groups and individuals filed amicus briefs supporting the Internet Archive (Bailey, 2023; Schultz, 2023), and although in the consent
judgment Judge Koeltl (2023b) supported the Internet Archive, they upheld the publisher’s claims in the initial ruling (Koeltl, 2023a).
Although both sides of the case are supported— Princeton University Press (2023) and the Copyright Alliance (Wolff, 2022) supporting the publishers, for example—librarians have shared their concerns.
Chris Freeland stated that the ruling would result in a loss of access to valued knowledge for users, with those who are not institutional members or who do not live near a library unable to access resources they otherwise could not have (Freeland, 2023a). Brewster Kahle stated that the suit attacks an established library practice and, if the ruling is left as it is, will affect libraries globally by removing their ability to issue books to digital learners, with local [the United States] and global implications. Michael Blackwell stated that publishing requirements have placed barriers on digital lending, stating that a future where reading is blocked by paywalls and libraries not owning their resources is a problem. EveryLibrary director John Chrastka stated that the consequence of this case will have a nationwide effect on American readers, highlighting that the Internet Archive and libraries share the same aims, stating that Controlled Digital Lending (CDL) is an appropriate solution for leading, being vital for libraries (Freeland, 2023b).
Electronic Frontier Foundation director Corynne McSherry stated that publishers are trying to capitalise on technological developments to control libraries and lending, asserting that publishers
claims were wrong, with evidence showing that CDL helps libraries more effectively assist users, does not harm authors or publishers and that the Internet Archive’s digital lending does not harm the book market (Electronic Frontier Foundation, 2023).
Olivia Castello (in Adams, 2023) praised the Archive’s eBook collection, noting it would be damaging to Temple University Library services if CDL was diminished or stopped, with the library’s service– and the Internet Archive’s controlled digital lending – important in an environment where commercial publishing models have placed risks on academic publishing.
SPARC executive director Heather Joseph, Creative Commons CEO Catherine Stihler, and former mythology and folklore scholar Laura Gibbs provided support and insight at a press conference on the case (Internet Archive, 2023). Fight for the Future presented a letter signed by many prominent authors and celebrities and a petition.
Publisher’s Weekly (Albanese, 2024) reported that on April 22, the Internet Archive filed its final reply brief in the case, arguing against Judge Koeltl’s rulings and defending controlled digital lending. With the appeal being fully briefed, the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit will argue the case within the week beginning June 24.
From this, the following could be asked: could or should necessity be an exemption for copyright in certain contexts? As the Internet Archive took the opportunity to provide access and information during a time of crisis, could copyright be exempted, even temporarily, for the benefit of access to knowledge as, in the context of this case, it was for beneficial or necessary purposes? On observation, while the 2022 Copyright Law of the United States mentions and incorporates fair use, the New Zealand Copyright Act 1994 does not. This may be an aspect that needs addressing given the Internet Archive’s international user base.
There are many more perspectives, remarks and a range of discussions relating to this lawsuit, such as with controlled digital lending and fair use. The ongoing debate discussion will be interesting to follow.
Please contact the editor for the full list of references comms@lianza.org.nz
Benjamin Mehrtens-Carey (BA, Level 5 Dip MIS) currently works as a technical assistant and is interested in reference and research services, cataloguing, acquisitions, information management or other related auxiliary roles. He lives in the Nelon-Tasman region and looking for work in the library and information sector.
Image credit: Markus Winkler, Unsplash.
THE CHALLENGE OF SUMMERTIME READING
“NO NEED TO REINVENT THE WHEEL.. OR COULD WE?”
In this article, Lyn Malakou of Christchurch City Libraries presents a unique approach to the challenge of summertime reading programs. She asks how we can retain the proven methods while also exploring new possibilities for the benefit of tamariki and rangatahi.
Writer and illustrator Bob Kerr asked his 11-year-old grandson Owen to explain the difference between reading a book and playing computer games. This is Owen’s response:
“When I’m playing games, I have to think about what I’m doing all the time. I’m clicking on the keyboard and moving my fingers everywhere and talking to my friends all at the same time. In a game the pictures are all on the screen. You don’t have to imagine things If I’m reading, I just have to hold the book or lie in bed and listen to my audiobook.
In books, there are only words. I have to imagine things. 1
The team across the summertime reading kaupapa at Christchurch City Libraries tapped into the experience of colleagues from around our network. Underpinning our planning are pou that transcend individual annual themes and carry across multiple years: Facilitating reading as a social activity, supporting reader agency, prioritising the relational and encouraging whole community participation.
With ‘reading for pleasure’ appearing in the refreshed New Zealand curriculum, our campaign could have wings. The literacy and well-being benefits of reading for the love of it are surely a celebration of how our libraries and dedicated staff have good news to offer.
Whaea Lynne Te Aika with her grandchildren, joined Tuahine Justice to
VISUAL LANGUAGE
Findings from Read NZ Te Pou Muramura’s 2021 National Reading Survey, among other useful insights, revealed that parents and caregivers who read to tamariki largely do so at bedtime.
In our visual campaign, we wanted to celebrate the magical twilight hour in summer, when activities are done and running and jumping are exhausted.
‘Imagine the taonga that awaits you’ illustrates tamariki together and engaged with exploring a book by torchlight.
' Imagine other worlds’. Our Māori Services team tell of oral story traditions – the handing down of stories and cultural knowledge after the day’s work is done. The night sky presents possibilities for the myriad worlds beyond our own, spinning off into other times, pasts, and futures. Think of Gavin Bishop’s book Atua and the unleashing of colour and its soaring breadth of storytelling. The intergenerational link of culture and story remains key to our bicultural commitment at Christchurch City Libraries. ‘
A feature of this thinking about imagination was considering rangatahi and their possible futures, and the enabling role that libraries can play. We know that reading helps us expand our choices, and we want rangatahi to ‘Imagine the possibilities’ for their bright futures.
Picnic in the Park with from left Ky McWilliam, Bronwyn Shanks and Kay Morfett. Image supplied.
The campaign we devised needed to be versatile enough to expand over multiple years—not only to be cost-effective but also to grow in depth and breadth as we took our message of reading promotion from last summer to next. We plan to reintroduce the programme for schools for one year and resume our promotion in time for the coming 2024/25 summer.
DIGITALLY SPEAKING
Summertime Reading had a webpage on the library's website. This page included the campaign events, regular programming, and reading recommendations. The campaign featured on the homepage carousel was one of the first things customers saw on the library website. Between November and February, we received a 49.88% increase in interest in Summertime Reading content, with users spending an average of 26 seconds on the site.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Up to 2,300 attendees attended 22 reported summertime events, which allowed library staff to engage readers in meaningful and supportive conversations.
Successful events included Picnic in the Park, a Soft-toy sleepover, and Summer Story Fun with
author and illustrator Ned Barraud and Canterbury Museum’s Morgane Merien. Camp Fire stories for rangatahi, Karamū and Maiao, an intergenerational story time with Lynne Te Aika, Wild Wednesdays at Orana Park, and Dogs and Books were also well received.
We continued to encourage library memberships, book loans and the use of
E-resources. With 52% of New Zealand teens saying, “I read only if I have to,” 2 we want to use technology's natural draw and engage reluctant readers with ebooks and audiobooks.
Aligning with our outdoor, under-the-stars imagery, Macpac came on board with generous encouragement. Having these quality prizes and a committed sponsor, we were able to attract participants to an online young adults Reading Review pilot. We received a generous gift of books from our supplier and popular pool passes from our Recreation and Sports Unit colleagues.
So, what is on the horizon for next summer? Let’s continue to share ideas, collaborate and imagine what ‘could be’ for Summertime Reading.
Christchurch City Libraries would like to acknowledge the contributions of Lauren Connolly, Stephen Clothier, Sarah Dillon and READ NZ, and the foundational mahi of Jessica Copping.
Lyn Malakou is a Public Programmes Coordinator at Christchurch City Libraries. Lyn has recently returned to Christchurch after over a decade in Sydney working in tertiary education, leading and supporting the student life portfolio, most recently at the University of Sydney.
Preparation for soft toy sleepover. Image supplied.
1. Kerr, B. (2023, June 19). Books vs computer games. Newsroom. https://newsroom.co.nz/2023/06/19/books-vs-computer-games/
2. Evidence strongly shows the benefit of “tech’s appeal” to increase the appeal of ebooks, audiobooks and reading for reluctant readers: Baron, 2016; Best & Clark, 2021; Heiting, 2015, Picton & Clark, 2015 Baron, N. S. (2016). Words onscreen: The fate of reading in a digital world. Oxford University Press. Best, M., & Clark, C. (2021). Engaging with digital reading: Exploring the opportunities and challenges for young readers. Journal of Literacy Research, 53(2), 185-203.
Heiting, M. (2015). The reluctant reader's guide to e-books. School Library Journal, 61(7), 24-27.
Picton, I., & Clark, C. (2015). The impact of ebooks on the reading motivation and reading skills of children and young people: A study of schools using RM Books. Renaissance Learning.
BACKING OUR BOOKS
HOW ONE LITTLE LIBRARY BECAME THE BIGGEST CHAMPION
Aotearoa’s authors weren’t the only winners celebrating the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards last month. The team at Tāmaki Makaurau’s Leys Institute Little Library swept away the competition to be crowned the inaugural Library Champions of Champions –the best library promoters of New Zealand’s best books.
For the last five years The New Zealand Book Awards Trust Te Ohu tiaki i Te Rau Hiringa has sought to build anticipation for the Ockhams and increase sales of the finalists’ works via the Ockhams Champions campaign. Champions are appointed to promote the finalists in a particular category using social media, in-house events, and marketing materials. Traditionally these champions have been booksellers only, but this year the competition was opened to libraries across the motu.
Rather than nominating a single librarian to be their champion, the team at ‘Little Leys’ decided to take it on as a whole branch, and the variety of tactics they employed and the collaborative approach they took created impressive results.
Led by Chloe Fryer, the team celebrated the finalists for the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for
channels.
Their prominent window display was well stocked with finalists from all categories, and included past nominees and winners as items were borrowed. It remained well-lit in the evenings to attract passers-by. They placed posters of their reviews on nearby community noticeboards and dedicated their monthly column in the Ponsonby News to the fiction finalists.
It’s clear that collaboration was key to Little Leys’ success. Support from Ngā Pātaka Kōrero o Tāmaki Makaurau’s social media and reading engagement teams and colleagues at Studio One Toi Tū meant they were able to share professional imagery and engaging content. They even felt motivated to create their first reel.
As Chloe says, the success of the posts, shared by Books and Beyond with Auckland Libraries was surprising, “They got more interaction on our Facebook page than we have had in a while and people told us in the library how much they enjoyed the reviews”.
Collaborating across teams also meant they were able to tackle a common challenge that libraries
Fiction via displays, kōrero with customers, reviews, and local print and social media
face when it comes to promoting books in their collections - that the titles you’re wanting to promote might be on loan and not necessarily available in an attractive stack like one might find in a bookshop.
To get around this the team promoted those finalists that were ‘always available’ digitally on Libby and worked with the collections team to include finalist titles in their branch’s Bestie Collection at short notice. Bestie items are available for a two-week loan and are non-requestable.
Chloe said this led to some delighted readers, “We had a patron act like she’d found gold when she realised she could borrow the copy of Don Binney: Flight Path that was showing in our window.”
It really hit the mark with their community, too. “Within two days of the awards all our Ockham Besties had gone out, even the poetry.”
Trust Manager Belinda Cooke says that the kind of exposure Little Leys was able to build for the Ockham finalists was “priceless”.
“We were really impressed by the effort [they] all put into reading and recommending the four shortlisted novels, and the beautifully designed social media posts had such impact and reach.”
Would the Little Leys team do it again? “In a heartbeat,” says Chloe.
“Being champions was a great way to get the team and the community excited about the Ockham book awards in a way that we haven’t managed in previous years.”
Plus, she says, “It was nice to do an unashamedly book nerd library thing.”
Each Ockhams Champion or Champion Team receives reading copies of the finalists in their category. As Library Champions of Champions, the Little Leys Team have received $250 and a pack of finalists and longlisted titles to share among the team.
Laura Caygill RLIANZA is Operations Manager at Selwyn Libraries and is the LIANZA representative on The New Zealand Book Awards Trust Te Ohu tiaki i Te Rau Hiringa. If you are interested in being a Library Ockhams Champion next year, or have any questions, you can reach out to Laura on laura.caygill@selwyn.govt.nz or on LIANZA Connect.
WARM PACIFIC GREETINGS
FROM THE LIANZA PACIFIC INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SIG
We are the LIANZA PIMN SIG. PIMN stands for Pacific Information Management Network, which began over 20 years ago as a special interest group for LIANZA. We were set up to ensure that professionalism and networking in the Pasifika GLAM sector were given the attention that was needed. Our Pasifika communities were growing and there was a need to prioritise the appropriate and relevant services.
Over the years, there have been several gatherings, workshops, fonos, food sharing, and conferences. One of our proudest moments was holding the 2019 LIANZA conference with a fabulous Pacific flavour and theme throughout. The enjoyment and feedback following the conference was overwhelmingly positive. The success was a result of intentional collaboration, learning and leadership.
Other memorable moments include museum visits, talks, and receiving visitors to help increase our knowledge of the sector and be inspired by what is happening within our
communities. The ongoing networking has enabled relationships to form and sustain PIMN to serve our people and communities better.
Due to COVID interruptions and various changes in the GLAM sector, PIMN is revisiting our kaupapa and vision to enhance and grow from where we had started. It is still of the utmost importance for PIMN to actively advocate for and improve the lives of Pasifika peoples. Mentoring and a Community of Practice will be vital to PIMN’s commitment to our people. Currently, we are working on how best to deliver this. Watch this space for our new plans and vision.
WHY SHOULD PEOPLE JOIN US?
We will do a membership drive when the updated version of PIMN is introduced. Some of the reasons you will want to join are:
• To sharing information, ideas, experience and expertise between members.
• For networking with colleagues who provide information services to Pasifika peoples.
• Supporting the professional development and training of members.
• Promoting resources and research on Pasifika peoples, cultures, and languages.
We are blessed to have LIANZA President Richy Misilei and Immediate Past President Kim Taunga, on our PIMN executive working together to deliver on LIANZA’s strategic plan for better outcomes for Pasifika peoples. The PIMN executive includes: Trina Schuster, Eirenei Taua’I, Richy Misilei, Elenoa Mo’a Sili-Mati, Irene Tufuga, Jenny Barnett, John Mata’afa, Mack Leala, Asilika Seli, Ian Toki, Judy McFall-McCaffery, Kim Taunga, and Sana Saleem.
Trina Schuster is the current convenor of the LIANZA PIMN SIG and Sana Saleem is the secretary. Find out more about Trina and Sana here. To know more about PIMN and how to join, please visit the LIANZA website here.
BOOK REVIEW
CREATING A PERSON-CENTRED LIBRARY
Creating a Person-Centered Library: Best Practices for Supporting High-Needs Patrons
By: Elizabeth A. Wahler & Sarah C. Johnson
ISBN: 9781440880834
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Published: Feb 22, 2024
Available here
This book is about relationships, specifically those between the social service sector and library staff. Wahler and Johnson recognise that the basis of any successful, long-term change begins with a strong personto-person connection. They suggest this extends outward to the people and services in local communities that "allneeds individuals draw upon.”
This ensures libraries are better prepared to use person-centred practices to meet the needs of high-needs individuals as well.
This book outlines invaluable options for creating inclusive spaces that help meet the needs of all library users through collaboration and close
relationships with social service agencies and other stakeholders to understand community needs better and provide effective service coordination.
KEY LEARNINGS FROM THIS BOOK
Key learnings in this book include recognising that all libraries face challenges around coping with increasing mental health and housing shortfalls worldwide. Inclusivity is now ‘normal’ practice and there is renewed interest in meeting the needs of all individuals by creating ‘trauma-informed libraries’.
According to Wahler and Johnson, this means understanding that all interactions can either retraumatise users or be part of healing. Libraries, they say, are places where high-needs users can feel at home and find the resources they need.
Wahler and Johnson point out that every library has unique needs that must be established before making any decisions or changes. There is no one-sizefits-all.
With a notable rise in high-needs users, there is an increased impact on library staff. The authors urge that this is not overlooked. They suggest that staff embrace complementary learning and different perspectives from local areas of expertise.
Building strong relationships with other community
organisations allows staff to establish person-to-person relationships with a select few, such as health providers, navigators, disability and mental health providers, and client carers. It also means giving priority to their own emotional and mental health.
It is crucial to recognise that not all staff can successfully interact with users who present intense behavioural issues inside library walls, so identifying individual skill sets is imperative before embarking on any suggested initiative from the book.
The content of this book spotlights user behaviour that library professionals are dealing with more frequently yet may not be connecting these situations to known increased levels of stress and unease for everyone.
It gives a fair warning of future changes to policies and processes that are needed to address the rising threat of increased mental and emotional health support demands.
The book provides guidance that may lead to more creative ways of dealing with high-need users. When behaviour escalates, a call to the police might well be replaced with a call to a specific mental health service first. In New Zealand, various crisis lines are available as a first response when life isn’t threatened. Effective responses are what’s needed, and what’s needed isn’t always enforced by the law.
Just like teachers and other front-facing people in the workforce, the need to
understand and be more aware of mental and emotional health behaviours is becoming a necessary skill. Whether this is integrated into all training courses as a minimum requirement, alongside invisible disability needs, the need for education and training around these issues and their frequency can no longer be ignored or pushed aside as an ‘it doesn’t affect us’ response.
RECOMMENDATION
This book is a great resource but also challenging to read. It is thoroughly researched but very academically focused. I highly
recommend that someone from each library read this book and discuss it with the rest of the team. Look at past incidents your team has observed and look for new ideas on how these may be handled or approached in a more ‘user-friendly’ way.
One area of the book focuses on health and wellness. It inspired me to redesign a winter wellness program for adults to include a ‘Wellness Wall’ where library users can find information on selected community resources and services.
The authors offer concrete examples and case studies to illustrate how libraries can
implement new programs and services that support challenging users while maintaining dignity, respect, and compassion and ensuring the safety and comfort of all library users.
Considering each library is unique and has its own unique set of challenges, this book is a must-read for more than one person in each libraryparticularly management.
Find more library and information books from Bloomsbury here.
Sue Gould is the Adult Programs and Activities Officer at Kawerau District Library & Museum. Sue has been involved in building healthy communities for some years. Starting in small rural areas it was a given that the women joined local groups to keep the communities together and thriving. She worked in the tertiary sector for over 13 years, teaching computing, then the disability sector before moving back to the Eastern Bay of Plenty and taking on instructional design.
SHARING RESEARCH AT RAILS 2023
The Information Studies Programme at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington hosted the twoday Research Applications in Information and Library Studies (RAILS) conference at the end of 2023. This was the first time we had been able to share research faceto-face with our colleagues in Australia since the pandemic. The RAILS conference brings together academics in the library and information studies (LIS) discipline, mainly from Australasia, with practitioners to support closer relationships and encourage more effective, evidence-based approaches to developments and challenges in our field.
The theme for RAILS 2023 was It Takes a Village: Transforming Information & Library Studies Research and Practice through Partnerships and Co-Design. For the library and information field this means exploring how we work and collaborate with our communities to move beyond the ‘researchercentric’ and ‘organisationalcentric’ views towards putting the perspectives of users, customers and participants centre stage.
DAY ONE HIGHLIGHTS
Dr. Jamie Johnson from Oslo Metropolitan University in Norway discussed the varied collaborative approaches employed by libraries to transform and improve their services and spaces. Jamie is a partner in the BALTIC UKH project, which aims to provide public authorities and others with tools and methods for the participatory design of accessible and attractive informational spaces and services. Jamie is in the process of constructing a research-based toolbox for the collaborative design of hybrid information hubs. In her keynote, Jamie presented preliminary findings from a scoping review on collaborative efforts in libraries focusing on library service and spatial development.
Practitioner research combined theory and evidence-based practice. Nicole Gaston talked about decolonising approaches to research in New Zealand's largest performing arts library. Edward Luca shared research on scholarly publishing and the implications for academic libraries in promoting metrics literacy.
Lightening talks on Day 1 showcased the variety of research information science doctoral students are involved with:
• ‘Not just tucked away to never be talked about’: Collections and connections of queer communities and GLAMU institutions. Alison Day, a VUW doctoral student, talked about the importance of galleries, libraries, archives, museums and universities connecting with queer communities, offering real-world insights into the ways donor connections with queer communities might be made and sustained.
• A collaborative pathway towards a sustainable future for cultural heritage conservation education in Aotearoa. Olivia Baldwin Denton, also a VUW doctoral student, gave an overview of her PhD research, which is focused on investigating cultural heritage conservation education and training in Aotearoa to understand better how taonga are cared for and whether these actions are appropriate for Aotearoa.
• In a nice example of a practitioner and academic collaborating, Alison Day (VUW) and Ashwinee Pendharker (National Library) together presented Current connections, future collections: Researchers and information professionals working together, discussing the benefits of developing collaborations between researchers and information professionals to facilitate connection-building with marginalised communities.
DAY TWO HIGHLIGHTS
We were delighted to welcome Honiana Love, Tumu Whakarae – Chief Executive of Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision, as our keynote speaker for day two. Honiana talked about some of the pūkenga required in supporting libraries and archives to work ethically with iwi, hapū and whānau and redefine the relationships between communities, taonga and institutions. She emphasised how access to these collections is critical for Māori seeking to revitalise and, in some cases, reconstruct their links to history, language, and identity lost through colonisation. She discussed how access to the collections relies on the
librarians and archivists who acquire, arrange and describe these collections.
Research presentations on day two included Spencer Lilley from Te Herenga Waka discussing the cultural competencies required for Indigenising New Zealand libraries. Using position descriptions for advertised roles in academic, public, special and research libraries, he reported on the requirements of employers related to knowledge and understanding of four cultural matters related to: Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi, te reo Māori skills, experience in using tikanga Māori, and knowledge of mātauranga Māori.
Pam Bidwell and Amanda Cossham from Te Pukenga (Open Polytechnic) again focused on academic/ practitioner collaboration, exploring the process of conducting research in Fiji in partnership with a librarian at the University of the South Pacific (USP). They discussed the significant challenges associated with conducting research with a researcher from another institution, in another country or culture, and even more when all three factors apply. They noted that although there is often concern that research conducted by an
outsider in a different culture will take from that culture rather than give back to it, the value of co-design and collaboration is significant.
Presenters were invited to submit to a special RAILS/ AIES issue of the Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association (JALIA) which will be published towards the end of the year.
RAILS 2024
RAILS 2024 will be held in Perth at Curtin University on November 18-20. This year’s theme is ‘Making a Difference: Research with Real-World Impact’, and the three-day in-person conference will incorporate the Australasian Information Educators’ Symposium (AIES) 2024, a Doctoral Consortium, and two keynote sessions. One of the keynotes will be online, free to RAILS registrants, and open to the wider community.
This article was written by Jennifer Campbell-Meier and Anne Goulding from Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington Information Studies Programme.
IN MEMORIAM-JOHN ROBERTS LAURIE (1953 – 2023)
John Laurie’s career, spanning over 30 years at the University of Auckland Library and Tairāwhiti Polytech Library, was a testament to his profound love for knowledge and learning. His passion for preserving and sharing the unique treasures of New Zealand’s history, heritage, and storytelling with the world drove his many achievements.
John returned to the University of Auckland where he had been a student in the 1970’s in 1992 from the Tairāwhiti Polytech Library in Gisborne. He had spent several years in Tolaga Bay as a fisherman and a gardener,
bringing up his young family on a plot of land. In this period, John researched and edited the volume on local history of the region, which was published in 1991.
He joined the University of Auckland Library as the first Māori Specialist Librarian in the New Zealand and Pacific team. John was fluent in Te Reo Māori. One of John's significant pieces of work in those early years was the creation of the Māori Land Court Minute Books Index, a valuable resource for anyone researching a Treaty claim, local history, a case study, genealogy or whakapapa.
John also published a commentary on the Treaty of Waitangi translations in 2002₂, refuting the argument that Henry Williams deliberately mistranslated the Treaty to get Māori chiefs to sign it.
John became increasingly interested in opening access to the library’s collections. With his genuine interest and in-depth knowledge of New Zealand history and The University of Auckland Library's archives and special collections, he joined the Digital Services team when the position of Digital Initiatives Librarian became vacant.
Over the next 13 years, John was at the forefront of digitisation in New Zealand libraries, creating significant collections of Aotearoa digital taonga—which are his professional legacy. Many of these were digitised using a flatbed scanner and include 100 years of The Journal of the Polynesian Society (1892), The New Zealand Journal of History, Broadsheet, the feminist magazine of the 1970s, The School Journal and Craccum.
The extraordinary Early New Zealand Books collection contains more than 500 titles of almost every published New Zealand work from 1806 to 1880. John digitised each from a first edition print copy and made them openly available as part of the University of Auckland Library’s digital collections.
John was a strong advocate for the research value of the digital corpus, developing a large body of fully searchable texts. He was also aware that some users are interested in individual texts, so he made PDFs and EPUB versions available, as well as MARC records for libraries wanting to add the books to their own collections.
Despite the repetitive nature of digitising, the work was a labour of love. He would often share some historical gem that he had discovered, an anecdote, a quote, or an email from a
family in the Pacific, thanking him for giving them access to their whakapapa, digitised and published in the Journal of the Polynesian Society online.
John was a strong supporter of LIANZA and local digital librarianship, chairing both the Information Technology Special Interest Group and its successor DigLib-SIG. He also presented at conferences and ran online workshops on digitisation practice.
John was a man of great curiosity and an undiminished capacity for learning. After retiring six years ago, he worked as a freelance translator from Māori and French into English. In addition to Te Reo Māori, he taught himself Greek before a holiday there and more recently became fluent in Serbian.
In his retirement, John and his wife, Ksenija Obradovic (former Associate University Librarian at the University of Auckland), shared life across two hemispheres, in New Zealand and Serbia, where he retained that determination to make a difference. An example was taking up the challenge of cleaning up his grandson’s playground in the residential estate in Belgrade. He was featured on the National TV in Serbia for his determined campaign against cigarette butt littering. John was a man
of strong opinions held with great passion and always an interesting and thoughtprovoking person to talk to over a beer, or that fiery rakia he brewed. At home in Belgrade as in Auckland, he and Ksenija lived life to the full in their eternal summers.
Energetic, curious and always generous, John died tragically at Narrow Neck Beach on Auckland’s North Shore last December. We send our condolences to Ksenija. Rest in peace, John.
This memoriam was written by Brian Flaherty (Associate University Librarian, University of Auckland Library, retired) and Neda Zdravkovic (Auckland Institute of Studies Librarian & LIANZA Councilor).
REFERENCES
1. Laurie, J. R. (Ed.) (1991). Tolaga Bay: A history of the Uawa District: Tolaga Bay School Centennial, 1888-1988. (1991). New Zealand: H.B. Williams Memorial Library.
2. Laurie J. R. (2002). Translating the Treaty of Waitangi in The Journal of the Polynesian Society Vol. 111, No. 3 (SEPTEMBER 2002), pp. 255-258. Published By: The Polynesian Society.
REMEMBERING ALISON ELLIOTT
Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa National Library staff, librarians and former librarians across Aotearoa were greatly saddened to hear of the death of Alison Elliott on April 9 this year.
Alison retired as Director of Content Services at the National Library in October 2016 after a long and impressive career in libraries, including over 40 years at the National Library. She made a huge contribution to the sector in Aotearoa.
In 1998-99, Alison was the project sponsor for the New Systems Project, which led to the development of Te Puna. She was part of the group that established a project of national significance – Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori Subject Headings).
Alison was a key figure in setting up findNZarticles and developing Te Puna services, EPIC, APNK, and Kōtui. She was responsible for reinstituting the Cataloguing in Publication (CiP) service at the National Library and producing the Tokelau National Bibliography. She also oversaw the transfer of the Public Lending Right from the Ministry of Culture and Heritage to the National Library.
Alison was a key person in the development of the National Library of New Zealand (Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa) Act 2003, particularly the legal deposit provisions of Part 4, making us one of the first countries in the world to legislate for electronic legal deposit.
Alison was one of those rare people who could see the big picture and work at a strategic level, but also had an encyclopaedic knowledge of detail. She knew what you could do and how to deliver it. The successful implementation of projects, including the Te Puna service and legal deposit for digital publications, owed so much to her extraordinary capacity for work, breadth and depth of her knowledge, attention to detail and professionalism.
Alison strongly believed in the importance of high-quality metadata and the value of standards. She championed the National Library as a Library of Congress Name Authority Cooperative Program participant. She served for many years on an ISO technical committee, both as a valued member and later as chair and convenor of several subcommittees, cheerfully
participating in meetings at horrendous hours of the night. Another significant international contribution was her time on the OCLC Asia Pacific Regional Council Executive Committee.
Alison was a long-standing member of LIANZA and served for several years on the Credentials Committee. She was active in the Wellington branch and was the LIANZA Conference Convenor in 2002. She was a long-serving member and chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Interloan and served on the Library and Information Management Programmes Advisory Committee. Alison was made a LIANZA Fellow in 2003 to recognise her skills and contribution to the library and information sector.
One of Alison’s great passions was quilting, and she had a wonderful eye for colour and form. She was a regular exhibitor (and prize winner) at Wellington and national quilting exhibitions. While we no longer have Alison, many of the National Library staff are lucky enough to have one of her splendid quilts to remember her by.
Image credit: Mark Beatty, National Library of New Zealand, 2016.
LIBRARY MAHI
WAINUIOMATA NEIGHBOURHOOD HUB AND LIBRARY A TEAM THAT ENCOURAGES CREATIVITY
Library Life is taking a new approach to career profiles and exploring library mahi in its everyday context. In this article, we meet Pani Christie and the Wainuiomata Neighbourhood Hub and Library team, discovering what makes them love coming to work every day.
The hub is part of the nine Hutt City Libraries and is situated in the heart of Wainuiomata, near the community centre and other community services.
Pani’s love of libraries started in 2013 while volunteering at the community centre. She was hired when a position came up next door at the library. Pani’s ability to connect with her community was recognised. This was around when the library
and the community centre were merged to create the Wainuiomata Neighbourhood Hub.
Pani is a 2023 recipient of a LIANZA SLANZA Tertiary Grant to complete the Open Polytechnic LIS diploma over the next two years.
“I didn’t realise how much was involved in this study. Now I know the structure and what they expect, it’s much easier.” She has a good team behind her who are always there for feedback and coffee when she gets stuck.
Pani’s role as Pou Tiaki comes after ten years of dreaming of being a library professional. “I love libraries,” she says,” because I love helping people. I like
finding the information they need and ways to help them.”
“I love my team and the people in the community that I can help. I’m part of this community and passionate about supporting it,” says Pani.
Pani works with a team of nine creative people. Megan Hindmarsh is the Pou Whakahaere/manager, Meto is the senior librarian/ senior Pou Tiaki, and Sally, Annie, Malia, Vera, and Brooke are the other Pou Tiaki.
It’s a tight team that loves working together. They take time for each other, building strong ties through regular dinners, celebrating birthdays, and supporting each other.
Pani Christie outside the Wainuiomata Neighbourhood Hub. Image credit: Angie Ca irncross.
As a one-stop hub, there are books, events, meeting rooms, a council desk for rates, and many activities developed in response to community needs.
When I was there, the Justice of the Peace was visiting, and a table of over ten women were knitting and laughing. They’ve been meeting there for over ten years.
“Our community loves us – we’re always busy,” says Megan.
A kaumatua social group does karaoke, mirimiri, and rongoa sessions. There are Baby Bounce and Rhyme, and Storytimes for the younger users. In summer, there’s a rangatahi programme after school with kai and basketball. Brooke covers the digital skills area with steppingup and coding classes.
Many people come in daily for various activities, services,
and library resources. Kaibosh meals are distributed every Friday afternoon, a hectic time. Government departments like MSD and IRD regularly use the hot desks in the hub.
Pani set up a community garden this year. “She is amazing –she always comes into work ready to take on anything,” says Megan. “One day, she turned up with seedlings and compost, and then we had a garden that people helped themselves to.”
Everyone on the team has an area of passion, and they are encouraged to bring it into their mahi. Brooke loves the digital area, so she looks after that. Vera supports older people, running Ready Steady Balance with over 30 people attending, and a home library service that helps those who can’t come into the library.
Pani is part of the heritage team with Annie, running
family history clinics and ancestry groups. It’s a dynamic, supportive team. If you are passionate about something, you are encouraged to set it up.
“We all pitch in to help each other when needed. Everybody runs a programme and the senior and other staff members support them.”
Megan says it brings her joy to see the community engage with and benefit from the programmes they run at the hub.
There is a real sense of support and genuine caring for others on this team. They love their work and the creativity they can bring to it.
“We’re lucky – we are trying to build our team all the time,” says Megan, who makes a mean birthday cake whenever it's someone's birthday.
From back left: Brendon, Megan, Pani and front: Meto, Annie, Sally and Brooke. Image right: The knitting group. Image credit ; Angie Cairncross.
LIBRARY OF THE ISSUE
MT ROSKILL LIBRARY
Before Te Pātāka Kōrero o Puketāpapa Mt Roskill Library and the neighbouring Fickling Convention Centre opened to the public in 1977, there were plans to develop the site into a theme park. Fortunately, plans were paused on the rollercoasters and merrygo-rounds. Almost half a century later, the library is an essential seven-day-aweek community facility, with services, collections and events designed for one of the most culturally diverse local board areas in Aotearoa.
Mt Roskill Library is one of the 56 libraries in the Te Pātāka Kōrero o Tāmaki Makaurau/ Auckland Libraries system. It is co-located with the local
Citizens Advice Bureau, and both services regularly collaborate to assist community members, many of whom are new migrants, with the help needed to access government agencies, employment, housing, healthcare, and more.
Reflecting and celebrating Puketāpapa’s diverse cultures is core to Mt Roskill Library’s kaupapa and it holds a substantial community languages collection. Almost half of Puketāpapa’s residents are of Asian descent (2018 Census) and the library has resources for both adults and children in Chinese and a wide range of South Asian languages, including Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi, Punjabi and Tamil.
The library also has a large Māori collection, with resources in te reo Māori and bilingual and English. Pacific languages, including Niuean, Samoan, and Tongan language resources, are also featured in the Pacific adult and children's collections.
In January 2024, Auckland Libraries’ Community Languages collection expanded to include Somali language books. Mt Roskill Library was selected as the home for several bilingual Somali-English children's books. This small but mighty collection was developed in response to the needs of local Somalispeaking families raised by Puketāpapa community leader Abdul Mohamud. Mr Mohamud presented a dream held by local
Mt Roskill Library team: Left to right: Jenny Cook, Alison Philcox, Jin Lee, Helen Kerrigan, Po Yee Li, Hebe Kearney.
Front row: Luz-Eliana Folau-Brown, Alexis McCullough. Image supplied.
Somali families to read stories from their home language with their tamariki. The library team is pleased to have made this dream a reality by working with our wonderful Collections team at Auckland Libraries to source books for this small trial collection, which are regularly checked out for Somali home storytimes.
The library team is deeply grateful for their relationships with the local community, organisations and Auckland Council colleagues in an area with such rich and vibrant cultural diversity. Meeting the needs of the community is key. But the library also seeks to celebrate and empower our local whānau, so community collaboration and partnership is a must. Library staff driving events, programming and community engagement across the Albert-Eden Puketāpapa Ward libraries regularly collaborate on cultural celebrations and festivals. A recent success was the Kai United initiative, which library
staff designed for the Auckland Council’s World of Cultures festival, with a series of free shared community meals hosted across the libraries, with a local group funded to create the event’s feature cultural dish, and a free crowdsourced community recipe book available at each event.
The library also collaborates regularly with colleagues from Puketāpapa’s only Council-run community centre, providing family activities and learning opportunities for packed-out events for cultural festivals including Matariki, Diwali and Eid. Other examples of important Council-driven collaborations include teaming up with colleagues to collaborate on events for the AlbertEden and Puketāpapa Eco Festival, PrideFest Out West and Winter Poetry Fest, with great attendance numbers and fantastic feedback from the community.
Mt Roskill Library also regularly teams up with Pātaka Kōrero
Kaewa – the Mobile Library and Access Services team on hugely-popular and loved local festivals like the annual CultureFest and and Manu Aute Kite Day on the maunga Puketāpapa / Pukewīwi / Mt Roskill.
Since February 2023, the library has coordinated the Puketāpapa Community Network, a Local Board-funded initiative with a network of over 200 people from community groups, organisations and government agencies working to support the local community. Alexis McCullough is the network’s coordinator, organising monthly meetings for members to share their mahi and identify opportunities for collaboration and weekly email updates outlining key local events and opportunities.
Coordinating the network has been hugely beneficial in increasing the visibility of library services and collections and has also helped to establish fantastic ongoing library programme
Image left: Arabic Storytime: Arabic Storytime organiser Shereen Alkarmy leading a storytelling and crafts session at Mt Roskill Library. Image right: Puketāpapa Community Network meeting April 2024: Community Engagement Librarian Alexis McCullough facilitating the Puketāpapa Community Network meeting.
collaborations with community groups. One of these is the Arabic Storytime, a monthly event of storytelling and crafts delivered by a local Muslim parent which draws large numbers of families. Another is the library’s partnership with Mercy Hospice initiative Honohono Tātou Katoa: Creating Compassionate Communities centred around death literacy, with a monthly Death Cafe and one-off events such as Cultural Perspectives on Death and Dying.
Bridging the digital divide is a key focus for the library team, with weekly drop-in sessions set up for digital skills support, one-on-one Book a Librarian sessions, and providing access to low-cost home broadband via Skinny Jump supported by the Digital Inclusion Access
Alliance. The team also delivers Sensory Storytimes for young adults from the Central Auckland Specialist School and other local high school learning units. Making the library more accessible and inclusive for our disabled whānau is a priority for Mt Roskill Library and they’re working on proactively identifying opportunities to do so.
As you can imagine, the library’s What’s on Today entryway noticeboard is often packed with daily goings-on! In addition to what’s been outlined above, the library team run weekly music and movement sessions for babies (Wriggle and Rhyme) and toddlers (Rhymetime), as well as a weekly family storytime and a games and puzzles afternoon, a monthly Kids Craft Club, and of course,
school holiday programming. For the adults, there are also wonderful monthly offerings of Poetry Club, Aotearoa on Film: Documentary Afternoons, and a Shared Reading Group drawing on the kaupapa of The Reading Revolution.
The size and needs of the Puketāpapa community are set to grow rapidly with largescale housing developments underway locally. While we’re still unlikely to see a Ferris wheel pop up in Puketāpapa anytime soon, their local library will continue to adapt, grow, and change to serve the needs of their beloved community, always seeking to reflect and celebrate the unique and vibrant people of the area.
Check out our Facebook page.
Alexis McCullough is the senior librarian community engagement at Mt Roskill Library and lives locally in Ōwairaka. She is proud to serve the community where she calls home. Alexis is the chair of the LIANZA Standing Committee on Climate Action.
Image left: Ramadan Storytime: Library Assistant Sharmaine Cashmore co-hosting a Ramadan Storytime with local Muslim community member Malaaha Hussain. Image right: Kai United Recipe Book: The crowdsourced community recipe book for the 2024 Kai United World of Cultures project.
TERTIARY PROFILE
OPEN POLYTECHNIC QUALIFICATION LEADS SENIOR LIBRARIAN TO THE NEXT CHAPTER OF THEIR CAREER
Gaining a Bachelor of Arts in Library and Information Studies through Open Polytechnic has helped Dave Tucker, Senior Librarian for Children and Youth Services at Mount Albert Library, enter the next chapter of his career.
“It has provided me with a variety of skill sets and ‘real life’ experience to build a comprehensive kete (basket) of community mahi (work) in many modern-day library and community service scenarios,” Dave says.
“It improved my career opportunities and enhanced remuneration options.”
Dave has been working at Auckland Libraries for the last 16 years. After working in the music industry and in between jobs, he began as a casual library assistant and quickly gained shifts at various Auckland libraries.
“It quickly became clear that helping people was a major part of the role which appealed to me,” Dave says.
“There is constant variety in library work with a lot of creative freedom to make a personal mark within this diverse community mahi (work).”
Dave started his learning journey through Open Polytechnic in
2014 when he was working as a library assistant at Epsom Library. “I was encouraged to pursue library qualifications to increase my career prospects,” Dave says.
“Open Polytechnic offered remote learning, which complemented my full-time work experience.”
He found the Open Polytechnic studies helpful throughout his library career, including his practical roles as a library assistant, children’s librarian, and community library manager, as well as his current senior librarian role.
Dave Tucker Senior Librarian Children and Youth Services Mount Albert Libraries. Image credit: Auckland Libraries.
“Working full-time in senior roles enabled me to apply theory to practical experience, which was an ideal way to develop my skills and grow personally,” Dave says.
For Dave, one of the benefits of studying online through Open Polytechnic was the distance learning model, which allowed him to study remotely while working full-time.
“Learning online taught me the discipline to tackle academic study remotely, honing time management, juggling tasks and building self-motivation and perseverance,” Dave says.
“Being a librarian has enabled me to excel in a career that directly supports and enhances our communities on a daily basis.”
“It is rewarding, enriching and no day is ever the same!”
Dave would encourage others to seriously consider studying library and information studies through Open Polytechnic to further their academic journey while working in their chosen field.
“This dual approach allows you to solidify learning and practice in a live environment,” he says.
Open Polytechnic has different areas of specialties, including the library, archives, information, and record management sectors. Their newest degree programme, which replaces the Arts degree, is the Bachelor of Library and Information Studies (BLIS). This degree is designed with practical learning activities
and holistic content to cover the whole sector.
It readies ākonga (learners) for a variety of roles, including librarian, heritage resources manager, records manager, information manager, archivist, or digital services manager.
BLIS theme topics include communication, cultural competencies, information and digital literacy, programming, designing, and delivering services and systems, critical evidence-based practice, and individual skill development.
To find out more about the Bachelor of Library and Information Studies go to the Open Polytechnic website: https://www.openpolytechnic. ac.nz
NZ Certificate in Library & Information Services for Children & Teens (Level 6)
NZ Diploma in Library & Information Studies (Level 5)
NZ Diploma in Records & Information Management (Level 6)
Graduate Certificate/ Diploma in Library & Information Leadership Bachelor of Library & Information Studies
Develop your skills with our qualifications
NEW
LIANZA MEMBERS
Welcome to all our new LIANZA members!
Maia Bennett
Erin Cairney
Benzamine Chee
Brad Chugg
Melissa Cross
Penelope Dallow
Lisa Dam
Matthew Dower
Toni George
Megan Golding
James Harper
Caitlin Macnay
Clare Newton
Sally Newton
Angela Perger-Gordon
Andreé Reynolds
Vivienne Ross
Rachelle Samaniego
Helen Schofield
Renata White
LIANZA PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION
Congratulations to all LIANZA members who have recently gained or revalidated their LIANZA Professional Registration
AORAKI
Lynette Oliver
HIKUWAI
Daniel Beck
Toni George
Caitlin Macnay
Ben Nancekivell
Wayne Carter
Gabriel Davey
Lucia Mataia
IKAROA
Catherine Mundell
Hana Whaanga
MURIHIKU
Anita Thomson-Hopwood
TE UPOKO O TE IKA A MAUI
Vicki Hughes
Martin Lewis
TE WHAKAKITENGA AA KAIMAI
Claire Miller
Tong Cui
Paul Cuming
THE
HISTORY CORNER
PEOPLE BEHIND LIANZA’S ADA FACHE AND EDITH JESSIE CARNELL GRANTS
Tal Rogoff looks at the two women behind the Ada Fache and Edith Jessie Carnell grants. Sadly, after an extensive search, no image was found of Jessie Carnell.
ADA HOWARD FACHE
Ada was born in Dunedin in 1918 and, apart from two years in Rangiora, dedicated her career to Dunedin libraries. In an obituary for Ada in 19951, Allison Dobbie detailed Ada’s career with fond memory and paid tribute to Miss Fache "for such she was always known”.
Ada Fache joined the New Zealand Library Association (NZLA) in 1940 and was among the first to complete its General Training Course in 1946 before it became the NZLA Certificate. She was a member of various committees within NZLA, including serving as chair of the Otago branch.
Ada a was very involved in producing the 1966 edition of Standards for Public Library Service and in the committee that proposed introducing a New Zealand Library Week first held in 1969.
"Miss Fache was a stickler for the rules," says Allison Dobbie
in Ada’s obituary, "and as a result was regarded with some trepidation by library staff, but also with enormous respect. There was always a twinkle in her eye. She insisted on the highest of standards and achieved them.” Mary Ronnie described her as “precise to a pin and capable of being quite fierce too.”2
Ada was made Acting Deputy Librarian of Dunedin City Libraries in 1944 while the City Librarian was serving in the armed forces.3
In 1968 Ada retired “to make way for a new generation” but remained active in her region of the NZLA.
Allison Dobbie noted that "The name Ada Fache does not appear frequently in the published records of the NZLA, but she was always there, one of those people upon whose hard work and commitment to libraries the Association relies. Even during her illness, she continued to support her younger colleagues. Her contribution to libraries was immense." 4
The Ada Fache Fund results from her generous bequest to the Association and is an appropriate way to continue her legacy contributing to the careers of those who have picked up where she left off.
This fund enables members to attend the association’s annual conference or a LIANZA professional development event for a member in a professional or
geographical situation that could be considered isolated.
EDITH JESSIE CARNELL
Edith Jessie Carnell came to New Zealand in 1939 for a five-year contract on behalf of the Carnegie Corporation to serve as a liaison officer to the library association. She provided professional expertise on rural libraries and was the author of County Libraries (1938), which the Times reviewed as a "full and clear treatment of the subject written by one who knows all the inner details of the work but who can yet stand aside and see the service as a whole." 5
Born in Devonshire, UK in 1906, Jessie—as she was known to all—studied at University College at Exeter (now University of Exeter) and worked as an assistant librarian. By the age of 32, she was a bona fide expert on the relatively new public library service.
En route to New Zealand, she spent time in the United States studying their library procedures, which informed her work here. Newspapers from across the country recount Jessie’s moves during the earliest part of her posting as she travelled from Bluff and Gore in the very south to Te Puke and Wanganui [sic]. Jessie edited the bulletins, presented at conferences, spoke on the radio6, and held gatherings with local patrons at their respective libraries.
Archibald Dunningham, former head librarian for Dunedin Public Libraries (1907-1984) would later remember her, "Jessie had very strong views about adequate duplication to meet demand and… it became clear that she was in agreement with what we were doing. It also became clear that she was a person of immense vitality and that we were immensely luck to have her with us. […] E.J. Carnell gave this country the exactly right technical assistance needed at the exactly right time: the training course and the changeover from subscription to free libraries. Her stay, 1940-1944, was the major impact of the period. Most of what happened
would not have happened without her". 7
Jessie Carnell’s impact was lasting as can be seen in the NZLA statement in 1945, titled Tribute to E.J. Carnell (NZLA October 1945 Bulletin) on LIANZA's Recollect platform.8
Jessie joined the Army Education Welfare Service in 19439 as an Assistant Staff Officer Librarian, which led to her unexpected departure from New Zealand in 1944.
What was NZLA's loss proved to be a gain to other libraries across the globe. Jessie published Library Administration in 1947, the first part of which was essentially a copy of the work she had contributed to the new librarianship study programme inaugurated in New Zealand in 1946. Jessie revolutionised library services in Sudan, Nigeria, Ghana (then known as the Gold Coast), Egypt, and Singapore,
Archibald Dunningham. Image credit: Dunedin Public Libraries.
1. “Obituaries”, Library Life 188, February 1995, p.9
2. “Vintage Ronnie”, Library Life 228, October 1998, p.19
before settling back home in Devonshire in 1966.
Jessie returned to visit New Zealand in 1963, but that would be her final visit10. An obituary in the Library Association Record of March 1984 remembered her as "a rather shy and private, but outstanding, person, one who put her commitment… to her profession into practice wherever she went." 11
When he passed away in 1996, Archibald Dunningham left the NZLA a bequest. This was used to establish a biennial travelling scholarship in honour of his friend and colleague, Edith Jessie Carnell, and her trailblazing and remarkable international career. The Edith Jessie Carnell grant is awarded to a LIANZA member to assist with travel, study or research.
Grants close June 30, 2024. Find out more about them here.
3. “PERSONAL”. Otago Daily Times, issue 25722, 19 December 1944. https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT19441219.2.29.
4. “Obituaries”, Library Life 188, February 1995, p.9
5. Times, literature supplement, 24 Jul 1938, p. 620
6. Radio Wellington, on the subject of "The future of the New Zealand libraries" as cited in Greymouth Evening Star on p.3 of the day's programme; 13 February 1940.
7. Dunningham, A.G.W. (1984, May 16) [Letter to Harold Carnell]. Alexander Turnbull Library (Papers relating to E J Carnell and the Carnegie Corporation, Ref. 97-002-59/5), Wellington, New Zealand.
8. LIANZA. New Zealand Libraries Bulletin, Vol. 8, No. 9, October 1945, pp. 165-166. https://lianza.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/5198
9. 4 January 1943 [Ancestry.com; New Zealand, World War II Appointments, Promotions, Transfers and Resignations, 1939-1945 [database on-line].
10. Carnell, E.J. “Twenty years after: impressions of a visit to New Zealand”. New Zealand Libraries Vol.26, No. 10 November 1963, pp.249-253
11. Hardy, I.G. "Obituary". Library Association Record, 86(3), March 1984, p. 138
FREEDOM OF INFOMATION
DISINFORMATION,
PROTESTS AND CHALLENGES IN LIBRARIES
During March, libraries across Te Ika-aMāui experienced extreme acts of protest against their planned Rainbow Storytime events, resulting in the cancellation of many events, including the nationwide tour from the organisers. The scale of dissent and the threats of harm and violence shocked library staff across the country, and staff directly involved experienced significant amounts of stress.
We want to express heartful support and solidarity to the staff in Rotorua, Gisborne, Hastings, and other libraries who experienced threats and intimidation. A huge ngā mihi to Public Libraries NZ and the support they showed in arranging the “Taking Care of Business: Rainbow and Drag Storytime” webinar and associated survey, and having library staff share their experience and learnings. The webinar was both emotional and inspiring and we’d like to thank everyone for sharing their stories. LIANZA has showed their support by continuing the development of the Freedom-to-Read Toolkit and the new Event Management section which was written in response to protests. The support and solidarity our industry colleagues showed during this time was a great reminder of how closely connected libraries in Aotearoa are.
The last of a series of three webinars run by the FOI committee was on Challenging Dis-information in collaboration with The Disinformation Project. It was a timely occurrence in the wake of these protests, as the rise in homophobia and transphobia is linked to the amplification of mis/ disinformation and the flow-on effect of protests in the United States and Australia.
Following the spate of Destiny Church lead protests in March, The Disinformation Project released a statement that the protests were evidence of the growing impact of disinformation in Aotearoa. A year prior, they published their report Transgressive Transitions which outlined the growth of transphobia in disinformation networks. The rhetoric around the sexualisation of children and linking Trans people to nefarious motives are examples of disinformation. When libraries don’t feel safe to showcase and celebrate local diversity because groups of people have come to believe false and harmful ideas about other members of their communities, we have a serious problem.
The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2024 states misinformation as the most severe global risk for the next two years, threatening to disrupt electoral processes, widen
existing political and social divisions, increase distrust in government and political authorities, and risk repression of rights as authorities attempt to restrain the spread and amplification of misinformation. The impact on local government is being felt here in Aotearoa, with a Rotorua councilor going on Reality Check Radio revealing that he believed he had been elected so he could make operational decisions such as cancelling rainbow events on behalf of his constituents. Over in Australian, Cumberland City Council in Sydney voted on a blanket ban on same-sex parenting books from local libraries, a move that was overturned a fortnight later after a warning from the New South Wales state government that the ban was a breach of local government legislation and the council risked losing its funding.
In Aotearoa, the legislated purpose of local government is in promoting the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of communities. The act also says when making a decision, a local authority should take account of:
i. the diversity of the community, and the community’s interests, within its district or region; and
ii. the interests of future as well as current communities; and
iii. the likely impact of any decision on each aspect of well-being.
Local government representatives have a role to play in addressing the harmful impacts disinformation is having on our society and public service organisations. Standing strong and sending a clear and consistent message that the targeting of these members of the community and the language used in their campaigns is unacceptable. Providing support and leadership to libraries in the face of challenges is another, and it was encouraging to see so many local government representatives having been doing this.
Our Challenging dis-information webinar ran through some practical approaches libraries can take to manage items in their collections that may feature mis/disinformation, particularly recently published books which tell a skewed and racist narrative of colonial-era Aotearoa history. What is the role of libraries having racist content on our shelves? On one hand we don’t remove or censor material and advocate for freedom of access to information. On the other hand, we are information professionals who provide trustworthy information.
We strive for an inclusive and diverse collection, which both means that we want a variety of ideas, and also means we don’t want to alienate certain groups of people. Our decisions about the collections must balance freedom of information principles and inclusive collections in the context of Aotearoa New Zealand and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Watch the webinar on YouTube to hear what other libraries have done and pick up some ideas.
CLIMATE ACTION
In this month’s column, we spotlight a local eco festival in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and show how public libraries have played a vital role in this annual celebration of community-driven climate action.
AUCKLAND LIBRARIES AND THE ALBERT-EDEN AND PUKETĀPAPA ECO FESTIVAL
First launched in 2022, the Albert-Eden and Puketāpapa Eco Festival is a month-long festival aimed at building awareness and creating localised solutions for climate action. With a jam-packed and diverse programme of events,
there’s a little something for everyone: exhibitions, hands-on workshops, market stalls, film screenings, panel discussions, and so on. The festival receives funding from the Albert-Eden and Puketāpapa Local boards, with its mission to support local climate action in line with Auckland Council’s Te Tārukeā-Tāwhiri: Auckland's Climate Plan.
Local libraries across the Albert-Eden Puketāpapa Ward are essential to festival programming, says Festival Director Natalie Wotherspoon. “Our festival is as much about building networks and creating connected, resilient communities as it is about sharing ideas and skills, and with libraries being at the heart of communities
and, for many, their community hub, it has a far reach into communities.”
Over the past three years, Natalie has worked with the teams from Auckland Libraries’ Epsom, Mt Albert, Mt Roskill and Point Chevalier Libraries to plan and deliver a wide range of free events in and around library spaces. Natalie says that the event hosts, mostly community groups or local notfor-profit organisations, value the opportunity to use library spaces for events. “From an event organiser perspective, libraries are ideal for workshops. Event hosts know this is a reliable venue to deliver a workshop, and the participants feel welcome and comfortable attending.”
Sindy Xian from Earth Action Trust speaking to street cleaning volunteers outside Mt Roskill Library (2024). Image supplied.
WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP ON CLIMATE ACTION
In addition to offering physical spaces within and around their buildings to festival event hosts, the Albert-Eden and Puketāpapa community libraries draw on their existing community connections to design their library’s festival programming. Mt Roskill Library regularly partners with the Roskill Bike Hub and Puketāpapa Climate Action groups throughout the year, so reaching out to them to design Eco Festival events is par for the course.
For the second year running, Mt Roskill Library partnered with these two groups to run Climate Action Family Fun, a free Sunday afternoon event with various activities to get
local families thinking about low-carbon alternatives and sustainable transport. These activities included e-cargo bike try-outs, free bike safety checks, and climate action sign painting for tamariki.
These kinds of partnerships and events raise community awareness around climate action and have real outcomes, says Richard Barter, chair of the Puketāpapa Active Transport Trust, who is behind the Roskill Bike Hub and Puketāpapa Climate Action. Richard explains that e-cargo bike try-outs have “resulted in families buying an e-cargo bike and not requiring that second car.” Similarly, workshops like the EcoPlay Challenge facilitated by local sustainability coach Janani Mohanakrishnan use real stories and fun games to
outline the simple changes people can make to lower their household carbon emissions, with participants leaving having committed to taking on one action.
While most events are designed and delivered by community partners, library staff play a key role with on-site event support and promotion. Both Mt Albert and Mt Roskill libraries partnered with local migrant-led charitable organisation Earth Action Trust for fun street clean events to raise awareness around waste reduction and recycling. For the Mt Roskill session, native plant identification was also included in the event through an extended collaboration with the Migrant Programme Coordinator from Conservation Volunteers NZ.
Richard Barter providing free bike checks at the 2023 Climate Action Family Fun event. Image supplied.
Offering Te ao Māori workshops has been a focus for Mt Roskill Library in their annual Eco Festival with opportunities for the community to learn about the vital link between the health of Te Taiao and the health of people. For the 2023 Festival, artist and Kairaranga Ahi Nyx (Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Raukawa) led a four-hour workshop where 20 participants learned key principles and processes of raranga (weaving) and a handson experience weaving their very own set of paraerae (Māori sandals).
In 2024, Kairongoā Emma Haslam (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Hauā) hosted a three-hour workshop delving into the key
philosophies, principles, and processes of Rongoā Māori, traditional Māori healing practice. Both workshops were fully booked, and participant feedback was hugely positive, revealing a keen appetite from the community for Te ao Māoricentred programming for the festival.
ARE YOU INVOLVED IN CLIMATE ACTION IN YOUR MAHI?
The LIANZA Standing Committee on Climate Action want to hear about the climate action initiatives and projects happening in your library. Thank you to those who completed the
survey in May. Your feedback will help us provide guidance and resources to the sector on climate action over the coming months and years.
Didn’t get a chance to answer the survey? No worries, we’re always keen to hear from you! Please reach out to us at climate@lianza.org.nz.
Six-year-old Gene is enjoying his first ride in a cargo bike with Pascal Gillies from Puketāpapa Climate Action at the 2023 Climate Action Family Fun event. Image supplied.
