We are LIANZA: Erica Rankin
Kia ora Erica and thanks so much for agreeing to be interviewed for We Are LIANZA!
In this column we talk to members from all walks of life and stages of their careers to see who and what makes up LIANZA.
Q YOU ARE CURRENTLY CHRISTCHURCH CITY LIBRARIES COMMUNITY LIBRARIES MANAGER INVOLVED IN MANAGING STAFF, SERVICE DELIVERY AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE ACROSS HALF OF THE CITY’S LIBRARIES. YOU WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR HIRING STAFF FOR TŪRANGA, CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE CHALLENGES YOU FACED HIRING SO MANY PEOPLE TO GET READY IN TIME FOR THE OPENING?
A Recruiting staff for Tūranga was certainly a challenge but also a wonderful opportunity to re-think our service offering and to create roles based on the services, opportunities and experiences offered in our new 21st century library. The project created a workstream for staffing and we worked through the process of service design, service philosophy, the creation of position descriptions, a recruitment strategy and training plan. It was a huge job, and an enormous effort was put in by the team. We were very lucky to secure the services of a recruitment specialist to guide us through the planning and delivery of several assessment centres for applicants, evaluation and finally appointment of Tūranga staff. This all sounds deceptively simple but it was a major task and there was contribution from many staff from across our library network to enable the wonderful result achieved.
RESPONDING TO CRISES REQUIRES A LOT OF AGILITY. CAN YOU SHARE WITH US ANYTHING YOU LEARNED FROM GETTING CHRISTCHURCH CITY LIBRARIES OPEN AGAIN POST-EARTHQUAKE THAT WAS ALSO HELPFUL IN RESPONDING TO THE CHALLENGES THAT COVID-19 BROUGHT?
I guess the most obvious similarity is that things had to be done differently. We had to think differently in both situations because the world as we had previously known it had changed. Both earthquakes and pandemic meant that our physical facilities could no longer open at a time when many in our communities needed them most. We learned from the earthquakes that libraries provide not just a meeting place or access to vital information or digital and physical connection, but a sense of normality and reassurance when so much else is anything but normal. Postearthquake our focus was to re-open libraries as soon as we were able, to make good use of our Mobile service and to seek out alternative venues to develop pop-up libraries. Lockdown meant that once again we were unable to open our libraries to the public but were very aware of the need to make our services available in different ways. We increased customer awareness of our existing online platforms and online membership and developed other online initiatives thanks to the agility and creativity of our staff, operating from their homes. Customer response has been amazing and feedback has confirmed once again the importance of access to libraries and their place in the lives of our communities. The challenge now is to integrate the
new ways of operating into our library service for the future.
YOU WERE ONE OF THE PORTFOLIO LEADS FOR THE IFLA WORLD LIBRARY AND INFORMATION CONGRESS 2021, CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT WHAT YOU HAD HOPED TO BRING TO THIS ROLE AND WHAT YOU HAD HOPED TO GAIN?
The portfolio I held for IFLA WLIC was Local Programme, Library Visits and Social Events and I was very much looking forward to working with some great people from across New Zealand libraries to pull together an amazing event and experience for delegates from New Zealand and across the world. It was really a one of a kind opportunity both for me, for LIANZA and its members, to showcase New Zealand, our libraries, and what makes us unique. Despite the fact that the Congress was unable to go ahead I really enjoyed the initial planning, the connections I made and the shared commitment and enthusiasm from everyone involved.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FOR LIBRARIES IN THE 21ST CENTURY?
Continual reinvention to keep pace with change, without losing the essence of what libraries are and can be for our communities. The challenge of keeping up with rapidly changing technologies. Continuing to attract the people we need to work in a growing variety of roles in libraries. The continued need to advocate for the value of libraries to funders. The need to develop further collaborations and partnerships and to ensure that we are talking to our customers about what they really need.
YOU’VE BEEN A LIANZA MEMBER SINCE 1996 AND MUST HAVE SEEN A LOT OF CHANGES TAKE PLACE OVER THE YEARS, DOES ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR REALLY STICK IN YOUR MEMORY? CAN YOU SHARE WITH OUR READERS WHAT YOUR PERSONAL CAREER HIGHLIGHTS HAVE BEEN OVER THAT TIME?
Oh my goodness, that’s a big question. I really think the highlight for me has been the many wonderful people I have worked with and been influenced by in my career. Through leadership roles I have also had the opportunity to encourage and develop others, giving them opportunities to learn, stretch and grow. Of course my role as Establishment Manager for Tūranga was another highlight and an opportunity to practise what I preach, involving considerable learning, stretching and growing on a personal level. I expect the role of President-elect of LIANZA will be another highlight!
WHY DO YOU THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP ORGANISATION SUCH AS LIANZA? WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE LIANZA DO MORE OF?
To me, LIANZA’S strategic vision statement – People and communities connected and empowered by information – is the key to the importance of a national professional membership organisation. LIANZA has membership across all library sectors. A professional organisation unites and strengthens the profession, it advocates and provides a voice, promoting the value of libraries and librarians, it provides connection, support, education and inspiration to its members. LIANZA has many hard-working members who have achieved a great deal for the profession and the benefit of libraries and librarians. I would love to see this story shared in different ways to different audiences so we can make a connection with a wider group of people who work in libraries, to spark their interest in the professional organisation and the benefits of membership.
THANKS SO MUCH ERICA, WE ARE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU!