The National Library’s Strategic Leadership Group consists of the National Librarian/Chief Executive of the National Library, the Chief Librarian of the Alexander Turnbull Library/Deputy National Librarian, the Deputy Chief Executive, and other senior staff members.
The National Library is currently undertaking a realignment, to position it to deliver on its New Generation National Library strategy. In 2007 the Library realigned the senior leadership level.
More about the New Generation National Library strategy
Penny Carnaby, Chief Executive and National Librarian
Penny was appointed Chief Executive and National Librarian in January 2003. Before joining the National Library, Penny was University Librarian and Deputy Librarian at Macquarie University, Sydney, and had held several roles at the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT).
Penny is currently one of three chief executives on the Minister for Communication and Information Technology's Digital Strategy Advisory Group, and Deputy Chair of the Minister of Education’s ICT Standing Committee for Education. In 2006, she was elected Chair of the Conference of Directors of National Libraries.
Penny is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Information Management at Victoria University of Wellington. Penny’s professional interest is in creating national frameworks and strategies to enhance the flow of information to all parts of society.
Chris Szekely, Chief Librarian of the Alexander Turnbull Library and Deputy National Librarian
Chris Szekely was appointed to the statutory position of Chief Librarian of the Alexander Turnbull Library in March 2007. Additionally, he has the role of Deputy National Librarian, with directorial responsibility for the National Library Gallery and the Visitor Centre.
With nearly 20 years' experience in the library and information sector, Chris was previously the City Librarian at Manukau City.
More about the Alexander Turnbull Library
Sue Sutherland, Deputy Chief Executive
Sue joined the National Library as Director Policy and Information Democracy in January 2005, and became Deputy Chief Executive in August 2007. She has had a long career in a wide range of libraries and has been involved in a number of national and international library advisory bodies. Before joining the National Library, Sue had been Libraries Manager at Christchurch City Libraries since 1994.
Geraldine Howell, Director Young New Zealanders
Geraldine's career has been focused on the area of library services to education. Since joining the National Library as Manager Reference Services in Auckland, Geraldine has held a number of roles in the organisation, becoming Director School Services in 2000. Geraldine represents the Library on the Education Sector ICT Management Committee. She believes libraries have an important role to play in supporting the educational and social development of young New Zealanders.
Geraldine leads the School Services section of the Library.
John Truesdale, Director National Digital Library
John Truesdale was appointed Director National Digital Library in September 2007. Prior to his appointment, he was working as an independent consultant to libraries and schools. As part of his consultancy work, John was leading the Aotearoa New Zealand People's Network project, and he continues to guide this project in his new role. Between 1996 and 2006, John was Manager of Digital Library Services at Christchurch City Libraries and before that worked as a secondary teacher. John is a member of the Digital Strategy Advisory Group, which advises the Minister for Communications and Information Technology on the implementation of New Zealand’s Digital Strategy.
More about the Aotearoa New Zealand People's Network
New Zealand Digital Strategy website
Alison Elliott, Director Content Services
Alison has had a long career at the National Library, in a number of different positions focusing on services to libraries. As Director Content Services, one of her key roles has been the extension of legal deposit to electronic publications. As the director with responsibility for information strategy, Alison has overseen projects to develop the Library’s brand strategy and web presence strategy ,and sponsored its web redevelopment project.
John Mohi, Kaiwhakahaere Māori
John (Te Whanau-a-Apanui) has led the Library’s bicultural development programme, Te Kaupapa Mahi Tahi – A Plan for Partnership, since joining the Library in 1996. Before that he was a teacher, adviser and manager in special education.
John leads the Hononga Māori / Services to Māori team.
Ralph Proops, Chief Information Officer Technology
Ralph Proops has come to the National Library with 20 years' IT experience, 13 of them in management and consulting in the private sector. As CIO, his major focus is the delivery of strategic technology-based products and services that enable the Library to interact with its users in innovative and meaningful ways, and that coherently support the National Digital Strategy.
Martin Thomas, Director People Capability
Martin's professional career has been in human resource and general management for the private and public sectors.
He believes that the role of People Capability is to enable the potential of all staff to be maximised so that they can contribute to the exciting new world that the Library is seeking to embrace.
