International Association of Music Libraries, Archives
and Documentation Centres (New Zealand) Inc

Press Release 18-02-2009

Call for wider consultation over possible layoffs and building redesign at National Library

Any delay in starting the planned extension of the National Library building in Wellington or in the proposal to lay off 32 staff from the National Library would actually be welcomed by IAML (NZ), the NZ association of music libraries and librarians.

“We would like time for the National Library to properly consult with all stakeholders about the proposed changes to services and staffing levels. We are very concerned that the building extensions are dependent on the changes to staffing mentioned in the Dominion Post yesterday , said president of IAML (NZ), Phillippa McKeown-Green.

Mrs McKeown-Green said that there needs to be more consultation about the design and the purpose of the National Library and its building.

“We believe that the National Library must first and foremost protect and house its present and future heritage collections, digital and non-digital, NZ and non-NZ, safely and satisfactorily.

As a music library organisation, we are of course, primarily concerned with the music collections of the National Library. It is one of the largest music collections in the country - and is described by the National Library itself as “a storehouse of treasures”, but the level of change proposed to all collections has us very worried.”

“Here are some of the matters we feel still need to be addressed before any review in services or building programmes is instituted:

Does New Zealand want a National Library building which will rival Te Papa as a visitor attraction, or a building which is fit for its purpose, as laid out in the National Library Act of 2003?

“to provide for the preservation, protection, development, and accessibility, as appropriate, for all the people of New Zealand, of the collections of the National Library (which includes the Turnbull Library) in a manner consistent with their status as documentary heritage and taonga…”

Can we afford to downsize and even perhaps abandon present collections and services, laboriously built up over 150 years, because of the need to fund and staff new digital services? Let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water.

Can we maintain the present level of service in the long run if we cut 32 staff (some of whom work in the reference services)? Or will delays in accessing items get longer and longer and more and more difficult?”

“Until these matters are settled,” concludes Mrs McKeown-Green, “we as librarians see no point in the National Library rushing ahead with its rebuilding programme or the review of its services and staffing. We await the consultation with stakeholders which was promised by the National Librarian, Penny Carnaby for early in 2009. We call on the National Library and the National Library Minister, Richard Worth, to hold off on any decisions until the consultations have happened.”

Links:

National Library Annual Report 2006-2007
http://www.natlib.govt.nz/catalogues/library-documents/national-library-annual-report-200607

National Library of New Zealand Act 2003
http://www.natlib.govt.nz/catalogues/library-documents/nlnz-act-03

IAML (NZ)
http://www.iaml.info/IamlNZ/

ENDS

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