New Zealand Public Libraries Summit

New Zealand Public Libraries Summit, 26-27 February 2007

Report

The first Public Libraries Summit ever held in New Zealand took place at the Westpac Stadium Wellington and was hosted by the Ministers responsible for the National Library, and for Local Government and by the President of Local Government New Zealand. Ninety-four participants attended it from central and local government, business, community, information technology, education, media and libraries. 

In May 2006, Public Libraries of New Zealand: a strategic framework 2006-2016 was published and this document called for decision makers and thought leaders with a stake in public libraries to come together to agree an agenda for action to ensure New Zealanders both at a local and a national level got best value from their public libraries. 

Keynote speakers at the conference were David Lammy, Minister for Culture, UK (whose attendance, at the last minute, was virtual by podcast) and Chris Batt, CE, Museums Libraries and Archives Council, UK.

Other speakers and panellists included Hon Judith Tizard, Minister responsible for the National Library of New Zealand, Hon Mark Burton, Minister for Local Government, Eugene Bowen, CE, Local Government New Zealand, Paul Reynolds, LIAC Commissioner, Allison Dobbie, Group Manager Libraries, Auckland City Council, Mary
Bourke, Mayor South Taranaki District Council, Suzanne Snively, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Barbara McKerrow, New Plymouth District Council, Simon Reilly, InternetNZ, Basil Morrison, President, Local Government New Zealand and Penny Carnaby, CE, National Library of New Zealand.

Interspersed with the speakers were four workshops where participants debated the issues and identified areas for action.  The workshops covered:

• Value for money – libraries contribution to economic, cultural, social and environmental outcomes transformation;

• Responding to the goals of the strategic framework – access to content, lifelong learning, access to the digital world, building community;

• Making it happen – capacity and skills, sustainability and funding and collaboration;

• Agenda for action

Rod Oram, journalist and commentator was overall facilitator for the conference.  He was assisted by workshop facilitators drawn from the participants to the Summit.

Outcomes

Five themes emerged from the Summit, with some specific suggestions for action related to these themes.

1. One voice

The need for all the stakeholders in public libraries to speak with “one voice” was identified as being key to achieving transformational change in understanding and perception.  The message/narrative needs to be clear, compelling and based on sound research and data. LGNZ, for example, indicated they wanted “one voice” to talk to them. There were a number of variations on how this might be achieved including the formation of a Public Library Association, an Association of Chief Librarians, an extension of the role of the Library and Information Advisory Commission (LIAC), and Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) acting as advocate within local government. 

Possible actions:

• Research into the value of public libraries’ contribution to economic, social and cultural outcomes;

• Improved performance measures and data around libraries’ outputs.

2. The digital world

There was strong support for the role that public libraries play in enabling access to the digital world by providing the technology, Internet access, guidance, content, tools and opportunities for participation. The Government’s Digital Strategy identified a key role for libraries in all three areas: connection, content and confidence. Libraries and school need affordable fibre optic broadband. Public libraries are the local repository of content for the ‘national digital library’ (New Zealand’s unique online content) by making sure rich, local content is created and available online (part of their unique value proposition).

Possible actions:

• Continue to investigate the Kiwi Advanced Research and Education Network (KAREN) as the backbone for the publicly funded network of New Zealand, and/or the linking of MUSH (Municipal, University, Schools and Hospitals) networks and local loops;

• Support and lobby for the commitment to fully fund the Aotearoa New Zealand People’s network roll out beyond phase one.

3. Collaboration

There is strength in numbers. Working with others in various strategic alliances, partnerships, both between and within local government, regionally, nationally, across sectors and globally strengthens the outcomes of public libraries and their partners. Sectors include education, museums, archives and galleries, and community development. Stronger collaboration with government agencies responsible for economic, cultural and social outcomes to build economic and social capital. Libraries have a role in supporting the development agenda of others.

Importance of retaining local identity while working regionally and nationally, eg the education system with individual Boards of Trustees a possible model. A significant challenge for the library sector is to determine what aspects of libraries’ business are 'non differentiating' (and can achieve economies of scale) and what are best left for local responsiveness and innovation.

Possible actions:

• Develop new business and governance models for easier working;

• Learn from best practice, eg eLGAR model for library systems sharing.

4. Equality of service – bridging the urban/rural gap

The dollar spend per capita for populations serving 25,000 or less is half that of libraries serving populations of 50,000 or more. The issue is not limited to library services for these local authorities, however the impact on libraries is significant. Inequality of service provision is not solely a funding issue, lack of affordable broadband is also an issue.

Possible actions:

• Investigate a contestable fund for infrastructure  services similar to that available to the museum sector;

• Regional co-operation/collaboration/merger for economies of scale;

• Roll out of Aotearoa New Zealand People’s Network;

• Encourage the adoption of NZ Public Library Standards

5. New skills and capabilities

Public libraries play a strong role in supporting learning for life by providing guidance and expertise to those seeking new skills and knowledge. If public libraries are to fully realise their potential as part of the knowledge infrastructure the capability of library staff needs addressing. Issues identified included: leadership, aging white female-dominated workforce (particularly outside of main centres), need to broaden the range of skills and disciplines working in libraries, staff to reflect ethnic mix of communities, pay equity, attitudes and perceptions (both within and without libraries).

Possible actions:

• Participate in the government’s Pay and employment equity pilot

• Participate in the Department of Labour’s digital skills shortage work

Rod Oram's Facilitator Report (PDF / 6.6 MB)

Summit Overview page courtesy of Margaret Garland, District Librarian, Hurunui District Libraries (PDF / 6.6 MB)