Acting Manager, Liaison, Acquisition & Description, State Library of Western Australia (Australia)

I have worked at the State Library of Western Australia for nine years. My current role is Team Leader: Liaison, Acquisition & Description.  I'm one of three team leaders with that title, who together coordinate collection development, acquisition, cataloguing and processing of all of the State Library's collections, as well as our centralised procurement on behalf of public libraries in Western Australia. My focus is on unique and archival Western Australian collections (personal papers, organisational records, photographs, oral histories etc.) I'm one of those people who actually likes and cares about cataloguing.

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I'm a former classical musician, and still keep my hand in a bit (as well as listening to much more classical music than is statistically normal). I have a solid caffeine addiction.

Librarian, Library Services of Fiji (Fiji)

Bula vinaka to all!    I am a senior librarian with Library Services of Fiji and I have a wide variety of responsibilities, including assisting with planning, acquiring library resources, training, library promotion and staff management. 

I have completed my Post Graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Management; Bachelor of Commerce and a Diploma in Information and Library Studies from the University of the South Pacific.

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I am thankful and excited to be part of the team on this journey and look forward to learning from the knowledge and experience of others.

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Anaseini’s INELI sponsor, Merewalesi Vueti (or Mere), is the Director, Library Services of Fiji.

Team Leader – Communities, Central City Library, Auckland (New Zealand)

My name is Ania Biazik. I have been living in Auckland, NZ, since 2005. I was born in Czestochowa, Poland; after finishing my two degrees I wanted to spend a year in New Zealand learning English… and NZ became my home.  I live with my partner in picturesque Torbay, North Shore.

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I have been working in Auckland Libraries since June 2009 in various roles and locations. Currently I work in Central City Library in Auckland, leading a team with community outreach focus; and work along five other team leaders and over 40 staff members.

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Road trips, tramping and camping are my favourite pastimes activities – I switch off and immerse myself in nature. Recently dragon boating become one of my fitness activities – love the team work! Otherwise I can be seen dancing at Sh’bam on Thursday night at the gym.

Library Coordinator Bullsbrook Public Library & (Acting) Library Coordinator Ellenbrook Community Library (Australia)

I grew up in South Africa where I started my library career. I met my husband, a South African while travelling through America for 2 years. We got married in 2008 and moved to Australia.

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I started working at City of Swan Libraries in October 2010. I was acting for the last four months as Learning Communities Manager, Ellenbrook and Bullsbrook Libraries and looking after the Content and Collections Portfolio. I am now Library Coordinator for Bullsbrook Public Library and Acting in the same capacity at Ellenbrook Library for the next four months.

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I hold a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Studies; I am the Secretary of the IFLA Literacy and Reading Section’s Standing Committee and a committee member of the Australian Library and Information Association group in Western Australia (ALIA West).

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Connecting, getting to know, learning from and working with my fellow INELI-Oceania colleagues are just as important as the content of this program. I was very privileged to attend Global Libraries’ INELI Networking and Learning Convening in Seattle earlier this year as the INELI-Oceania Innovator. I met other INELI Innovators from across the other INELI regions and we worked on ideas to move forward after INELI. INELI colleagues are all special, we are passionate about the future of libraries and we are the future of libraries.

When I am not a Librarian, I enjoy reading, travelling, coffee, outdoors, beekeeping and spending time with family and friends back home in South Africa.

Library & Museum Manager, Xanana Gusmao Reading Room (INELI-Oceania participant) (Timor Leste)

Gaspar is the Coordinator, Library and Museum, Xanana Gusmao Reading Room.  In his former roles he has been involved in managing youth programs, monitoring and evaluation programs and working as an exhibition curator and tour guide.  He currently leads a passionate team who are committed to providing library services to the community of Dili, Timor-Leste.  He is keen to learn innovative new skills to help his community have a safe public space to learn about their history, culture and language and to support his team to improve their skills.

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Gaspar’s INELI sponsor, is Del Bovill, who has been the Resources Management Advisor to the XGRR.

Library Resources & Information Coordinator, Mornington Peninsula Library Service (Australia)

Jane has been part of the senior management team at Mornington Peninsula Library Service for the past year and a half. As Library Resources & Information Coordinator her role is responsible for the coordination and management of library resources, information, systems and support services.

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Jane’s longest role in one location has been as Manager, Community Engagement at Yarra Plenty Regional Library. A position I have held for 11 and a half years.

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Previous positions in two local government library services have given me experience in Customer Service, Life Long Learning and Community Development & Partnerships.

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In 2008 I undertook a job exchange to the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County in North Carolina in the US. I have had the opportunity to attend two IFLA Conferences; the first one I presented a paper in the Science and Technology section (Lyon2014 and Columbus 2016).

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I have a BA in Information Management and Technology (Ballarat University) 1994.

My home and work are both in Victoria, Australia not far from the beach; 2 out of 4 libraries have a beach view. Outside work, I share my time with my husband and 7 year old son Lachie, our boxer dog Lilie (12 years old) and two chooks. Gardening, interior design and healthy living are my hobbies.

Executive Director, Buk Bilong Pikinini. (Member, INELI Program) (Papua New Guinea)

Leanne works in PNG for Buk bilong Pikinini (Books for children) -Children’s Libraries as the Deputy Executive Officer.

Leanne previously worked as a Teacher Assistant attached to the International Education Agency (IEA), very closely involved with Preschool-aged children to Year one. Her background is in Early Childhood education (Children’s Services), then she joined Buk bilong Pikinini in 2008 as a Teacher Librarian.

Leanne has been with this organization for 10 years because she believes that:

1.       It is important to teach children to grow to love books and welcome the wealth of knowledge that is discovered through reading books

2.      Early Childhood learning is the key to long term success in a child’s educational journey. The emotional, social and physical development of young children has a direct effect on their overall development and on the adult, they will become.

Leanne is currently overseeing:

·        17 children’s’ library learning centres in 4 provinces (BbP)

·        -10 community preschool centres in 3 provinces (through BbP’s community program with partners)

Leanne shares her small home with her daughter Tyler-Lisa (12) & son, AJ (7).

Lending Services Supervisor, Dunedin Public Library (New Zealand)

I am Lending Services Supervisor, Dunedin Libraries, New Zealand, leading a wonderful and hard-working team.

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I also act as administrator for the Friends of Otago Museum, an interesting and productive way to be involved in the wider GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums) sector.

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Recently I took up the role of National Digital Forum Otago Regional Ambassador and look forward to engaging with people to help deliver the National Library's digitisation strategies of connecting, collecting and co-creating Aotearoa New Zealand's culture and heritage.

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Living in London for 17 years, I worked in information centres and libraries in financial institutions in the City, then moved to London Business School Library. My move from fee-based research to subject librarian and electronic resources specialist tracked the development of digital information.

Chief Librarian – Vanuatu National Library & Port Vila Public Library (Vanuatu)

My name is Margaret Austrai Terry. I served at different levels from the most junior to a senior post at the University of the South Pacific (USP) Emalus Campus Library for over 20 years.

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Originally from Papua New Guinea, I started at the USP with a secondary teaching background, then took a turn to librarianship and has been at it for the last twenty-five or so years. Short bursts away from work to pursue professional library and information management training and non-library work, added value to my overall experience.

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My librarianship journey began with a library certificate program from the USP completed in 1993 and to date, a post graduate diploma from the University of Canberra, completed in 1998. I am one of only two Ni-Vanuatu with professional library training; and sadly, the only practicing library professional in my country.

I left the academic arena and moved into public/national library when I joined the Vanuatu Cultural Centre, in 2015, as Chief Librarian responsible for both the Port Vila Public Library and the National Library of Vanuatu.

I am one of the few founding members of the Vanuatu Library Association (VLA), and currently the President of VLA. I am also an elected member of IFLA’s Regional Standing Committee for Asia and Oceania (RSC-AO).

It is my vision as Chief Librarian of the National Library of Vanuatu to see public libraries and school libraries set up in more schools and communities and to ensure information in these libraries become accessible to everyone, including the young, elderly as well as people with disabilities.

Library Assistant Class 1, Suva City Carnegie Library (Fiji)

Ni Sa Bula Vinaka & Noa’ia (Warm greetings) !    I am a Library Assistant with the Suva City Carnegie Library and am extremely excited and privileged to be on this INELI-Oceania (Cohort 2) journey with you all. Prior to working in a public library, I was with a special library and have only recently returned to university to complete my studies.  I love reading and just completed Make Me by Lee Child (has a very dark ending). Next book will be a cheerful read. Also enjoy traveling so looking forward to Auckland in July!

Nina’s INELI  sponsor is Maureen Shariff, Chief Librarian of the Suva City Carnegie Library.

Acting Coordinator, Library Operations, City of Monash, Melbourne (Australia)

Hi, I'm Pamela and I'm the acting Coordinator of Library Operations at the City of Monash in

Melbourne. My substantive role is Learning Technologies Library/Team Leader at Oakleigh.

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I've been working in libraries since October 2013 and my interests include digital literacies, content creation, place making and customer experience.

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In my spare time I enjoy watching gridiron, listening to music on Spotify and going to swimming lessons with my son.

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Technical Assistant, National Network of Equitable Library Services, British Columbia Libraries Co-operative (Canada and New Zealand)

Pikiora Wylie - Technical Assistant, National Network of Equitable Library Services, British Columbia Libraries Co-operative (Canada and New Zealand)

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Kia ora Koutou katoa, my name is Pikiora Wylie, I am currently living in Canada and working for the National Network of Equitable Library Services Canada (NNELS).

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My role has been based around the development of an Audio Recording Kit (ARK) which will allow people to format switch books from print to digital. Then upload them to the NNELS catalogue. All of which can be done from within a library. It is wonderfully rewarding work and I am enjoying this role very much.

I have two young children, affectionately referred to as my two tiny overlords. Yep. Them and work. That pretty much sums up my life.

However, when I had time back in the days of old.... I loved reading (Sci/Fi Fantasy + Biographies + pretty much everything), Online gaming and general Tech stuff, as well as the odd bout of binge watching TV : D *sigh* Those were the days.

Looking forward to getting to know everyone and sharing ideas, skills and knowledge.

Heritage and Community Services Manager, Whanganui District Library (New Zealand)

Ko Sandra Nepia toku ingoa (My name is Sandra Nepia) but I like to be called Sandy.   Ko Whanganui raua ko Tūwharetoa oku Iwi (Whanganui Tribe and Tuwharetoa Tribe are my Tribal entities)

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I have worked at the Whanganui District Library in every role - from the Date due sticker-inner to my current role as Pou Herenga (Māori Services Manager) - the Pou Herenga position was created 10 years ago - so this is how long I have held this role.

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My immediate whānau (family) consists of my partner John, with my tamariki (children) Tyrone (31) and Shayna (28); and I have 5 mokopuna (grandchildren), Isaiah (10), Meadow (5), Kaemani (4 and 3 quarters), Hakaraia (2) and China Lee (2) - China was born 8 hours after Hakaraia and in the same hospital.  We all live in Whanganui and this will always be my home.

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Ko au te Awa, Ko te Awa ko au. (I am the river, and the River is me.)

Library Services Manager, Shoalhaven City Council (Australia)

My name is Sarah and I work for Shoalhaven City Council and I am the Library Services Manager. Shoalhaven Libraries consists of four library branches and one mobile library service. I have been Library Services Manager for nearly three years now and have worked for Shoalhaven Libraries for just over ten years in total. I first got into libraries when I started work as the Mobile Library Assistant.

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I live in Gerringong, which is a small village on the South Coast, with my husband and two dogs. I love travelling, running, reading, cooking and usually fill my time with some combination of these as much as possible!

Newspapers and Family History Reference Leader, National Library of Australia

My name is Shan Sutton, I work at the National Library of Australia in Canberra as part of the Newspapers and Family History team.

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I am passionate about the way in which libraries enable people to learn more about their family and heritage. A particular interest of mine is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family history, which can often be challenging to research.

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I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the second INELI-Oceania Cohort, it is a privilege have access to such an eclectic array of librarian perspectives from an incredibly culturally rich and diverse region.

Community Library Manager, Kaipatiki Libraries, Birkenhead (New Zealand)

Talofa, Kia Ora

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Trina is currently

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managing the Birkenhead Library which is part of Kaipatiki Local Board Libraries; Auckland Libraries.

Trina has worked in libraries since leaving school in 1990, with a small break of 10 years in the middle as a Personal Trainer.

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Trina lives in Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) Aotearoa with my husband, 4 children (ranging from 24yrs-11yrs), 1 dog and 2 cats… and on any given day extra children and a few tui.

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Trina is pretty good at managing my work/life balance - life is busy and I love it that way. Trina loves working out and I love reading – sometimes managing to do both at the same time… a life-skill that few are able to manage…Being able to work in a job that I am passionate about is important to me and, thankfully being a librarian gives a satisfaction that I’m not sure any other career could give me.

Floor Leader, Tūranga, Central Library, Christchurch (New Zealand)

Kia ora koutou!  Ni hao!  I’m Yang from Christchurch, New Zealand. 

I was born in China, lived in Russia for 3 years before I came to Christchurch in 2001. I’ve been working at Christchurch City Libraries for 6 years and for about 2 years as information librarian/cultural diversity. I never thought I’d be a librarian after graduating from university but I’m glad I’ve made the right choice!

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I have a daughter and a son who are 5 and 3 years old. I’m still learning how to be a good role model for them – mission for life I guess. I love martial arts, swimming, meditating and am interested in holistic healthy living and natural medicine. I love meeting people, making friends and having fun together!

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