14 December 2012

Library strategic management team announced

The first stage of the restructure of the Palmerston North City Library and Community Services has been completed with the appointment of four strategic level managers.

The restructure is aimed at improving integration of services relevant to the changing needs of city residents. It has been in the planning stages for much of the year and following substantial employee consultation implementation is underway.

Anthony Lewis, Palmerston North city librarian and general manager community services, says once completed it will help cement together community services with the library to improve the service we offer our community.

“I am delighted to announce that the new management team of Library and Community Services comprises of a mix of library and community trained professionals all of whom operate at a strategic level.”

The successful applicants are:

Shannon Simpson – Manager Content. Originally hailing from the USA, Shannon has a Master’s Degree in Library Science and has led content team and content change management programmes at the library of the University of British Columbia in Canada.

Cathy McCartney – Manager Community Engagement. Cathy is well-known in Palmerston North given her current Community Development Manager role. Along with the roles that she currently leads she will also look after Community Libraries, Mobile Libraries and Library Outreach services.

Janet Ellery – Manager Planning & Performance. Janet has brought together the current Library & Community Services draft strategy over the past 18 months. Her background, which includes receiving the top business studies award from NZ Society of Accountants in 1993 and leading the Animal Health Board Pest Eradication programme.

Lindsey Birnie – Manager Living Room of the City. Currently employed as strategy manager at Manawatū District Council, Lyndsey has an MBA and a background in Public Relations, both of which will be valuable in her role leading the Living Room of the City team.

The new appointees will take up their positions on Monday 28th January 2013.

The next stage of the restructure is the appointment of Team Leader positions. Internal expressions of interest will be called for at the start of February. It is hoped those positions will be confirmed by the end of February, following which internal expressions of interests will be called for the remaining positions.

The changes made are cost neutral in the first year, however every year there after a quarter of a million dollars in savings will be realised.

ENDS

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