COUNCIL

TE PAEA PARINGATAI (WAIKATO, NGĀTI POROU, NGĀTI RANGINUI) CHAIRS THE IFLA PROFESSIONAL

the council is an honour and a privilege. “There’s nothing better than bringing the value of ‘service to others’ as a guiding kaupapa in this role. Service and working with and on behalf of others motivates me to bring my best to a team or organisation.”

GLOBAL TRENDS

Our information environment is constantly changing. How will we access, use and benefit from information in an increasingly hyper-connected world? The IFLA Trend Report identifies five top level trends which will play a key role in shaping our future information ecosystem:

TREND 1 New Technologies will both expand and limit who has access to information.

Online Education will democratise and disrupt global learning.

The boundaries of privacy and data protection will be redefined.

Hyper-connected societies will listen to and empower new voices and groups.

The global information environment will be transformed by new technologies.

The top three global trends for Te Paea include:

How might we achieve sustainable libraries now and for the future?

The relationship between libraries and their many, diverse user communities.

Impact of rapid and evolving technology.

One of the things Te Paea considers is important for the global profession is the huge emphasis on access to information and how that access can be improved. Different cultures have different ways of seeking, categorising, describing, storing and prioritising information and knowledge. She says there are improvements needed and quality assurance so the diversity of information needs are taken on board.

There is also an impetus on the well-being aspect of libraries and information organisations and the pivotal role they play in local communities. “Libraries have an important role in encouraging greater citizenship, especially in making sure there is equitable access so that all people can participate in a democratic society that they want to be part of and belong to.”

Technological advances will shape the way library and information professionals do their jobs and what their priorities are. There are already tensions, she says, around how you preserve what you currently do while evolving to take on new processes, and the system changes that will be needed with new technology. “AI is having a huge impact on the way we work, and the changes are moving at a fast pace.”

The sustainable development goals will also impact library and information services.

GETTING INVOLVED IN IFLA

Te Paea’s opportunities to be involved with IFLA came through her involvement in Te Rōpū Whakahau and a desire to improve local practice through international best practices.

In 2012, when she was Tumuaki (President) of Te Rōpū Whakahau, she attended an IFLA World Congress in Helsinki. From her engagements at the event, she was asked to be the incoming convenor of the IFLA Indigenous Matters Section. It was a good fit for kaupapa Māori and spearheaded her deeper involvement in IFLA and now with the Professional Council.

“Involvement in IFLA is a fantastic way to hone your natural interests and talents. If this type of work interests you, it can provide pathways to international networks, thought leadership, and contributing to the profession in a way that can be useful. “

Te Paea Paringatai (Waikato, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Ranginui) is currently the Director of Mātaurangi Māori - Te Ara Tahi in Te Haumi Branch at Te Tari Taiwhenua Department of Internal Affairs. She was Te Rōpū Whakahau Tumuaki (2012) and LIANZA President (2016-17).