#WEARELIANZA

Q CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT WHO YOU ARE?

A

I’m a collections management librarian at Southland District Libraries, and I’ve been here for seven years. Prior to this, I was a library assistant at the University of Otago. Last year, I was proud to represent the Murihiku community on LIANZA Council. I’m now the chair of the LIANZA Murihiku Community committee.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES ARE IN THE 21ST CENTURY FOR THE LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SECTOR?

I think we’re still fighting for legitimacy – because libraries are a ‘social good’ it can be hard to quantify our impact. The sector is still underpaid and underappreciated, so librarianship as a career can be a hard sell. Lucky for us, unions (such as PSA and TEU) are working hard on our behalf for pay equity, and LIANZA can do so much to raise the profile of the sector.

WHAT ARE SOME KEY MOMENTS THAT STAND OUT FOR YOU DURING YOUR INVOLVEMENT WITH LIANZA?

I loved attending my first conference last year. Although it was a fully online conference, I still felt a sense of community and belonging which is so important. And I’m incredibly grateful that the Murihiku Community, especially Mark Hughes, has entrusted and supported me with the council and chair role. It’s exciting to be involved in shaping the future of LIANZA.

WHAT GOALS DO YOU HOPE LIANZA WILL ACHIEVE OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS?

I would like to see LIANZA continue to join forces with other professional bodies in the GLAMMIR sector, to increase our reach and influence without stretching ourselves too thin. I’d also like to see further development of the LIANZA Connect platform – it has the potential to be a true community hub for the sector.

I’m looking forward to LIANZA 2023! It seems a long way off now, but as it’s in Te Wai Pounamu it’s practically local for me, and I can’t wait to join my colleagues in person.

WHY DO YOU THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP ORGANISATION SUCH AS LIANZA?

LIANZA makes connections – between colleagues, institutions, professional development, advocacy, and other groups – supporting professionals to become connected, confident, educated, and innovative.

"You should join LIANZA because the sector is full of amazing people and opportunities, and LIANZA is your professional, curated, supported gateway to all of them. "

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE LIANZA DO MORE OF?

I’d love to see LIANZA do a pull-out-all-the-stops, press-theflesh tour of Aotearoa – make ourselves visible, available, and physically present to every sector professional. I realise that’s wishful thinking, though! So, in lieu of that, I’d like to see more opportunities for in-person engagement, where we can meet with our sector colleagues and spend time together.