Library and Information Advisor Committee

Members of Library and Information Advisor Committee (LIAC) announced

The National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa is pleased to announce the appointment of three new Commissioners to the Library and Information Advisory Commission Nga Kaiwhakamarama i nga Kohikohinga Kōrero (LIAC). LIAC is the seven member unincorporated body whose statutory function is to advise the Minister Responsible for National Library, the Hon. Judith Tizard, on library and information matters, including matauranga Maori.

The three new members are:
Ms. Janet Copsey
Mr. Bill Macnaught
Mr. Paul Thompson.

Sue Sutherland, Director of Policy and Information Democracy at the National Library, and Acting Chief Executive, says, "The new Commissioners bring a wealth of experience in the arts and culture sector, in particular, in the documentation and promotion of New Zealand's heritage. Their appointments indicate a greater focus for LIAC on the collaboration between like-minded organisations".

LIAC's members are:
Brian Pauling (chair; term expires July 2007)
Evelyn Tobin (term expires September 2008)
Paul Reynolds (term expires September 2008)
Janet Copsey (term expires September 2009)
Bill Macnaught (term expires September 2009)
Paul Thompson (term expires September 2009)
Penny Carnaby, National Librarian and Chief Executive, is an ex-officio member of LIAC.

Sue Sutherland also acknowledged and thanked LIAC's two outgoing members, Ms. Ainsley Dewe (chair) and Mr. Chris Szekely who have been key members of the Commission for the last three years. They have both made a significant contribution to the Commission during their time as members.

Biographical information about the new Commissioners:

Ms. Janet Copsey (NZ Library School Diploma, PGDip Librarianship, Bachelor of Arts) is the University Librarian for the University of Auckland. She is a Fellow of the Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (LIANZA) and a member of the Council of New Zealand University Libraries (CONZUL).

Mr. Bill Macnaught (CBE, Diploma of Librarianship, Master of Arts,) is manager of Puke Ariki, New Plymouth's integrated museum, library, and visitor information centre. Mr. Macnaught is experienced in the management of libraries and museums, and has sat on and chaired several similar boards and organisations in the United Kingdom, such as the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, prior to moving to New Zealand in 2005. He brings a wealth of international and national cultural sector experience along with extensive management expertise.

Mr. Paul Thompson (PGDip. Museum Studies) is a consultant to museums, science centres, art galleries, and visitor centres. He is also a published author and has extensive experience in the heritage, museum, archive, and technology sectors. He also has a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholder groups across a wide range of sectors.

Mr. Thompson was the Director, Museum of Wellington City and Sea (2002–2006) and has also worked at Capital Discovery Place Te Aho a Maui, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, and New Zealand Historic Places Trust Pouhere Taonga.

New appointments have also been made to the Guardians Kaitiaki of the Alexander Turnbull Library. See http://www.natlib.govt.nz/bin/media/pr for more information.

ENDS

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