Meet our members: Public Libraries New Zealand – A Voice for Public Libraries

We caught up with Bernie Hawke, Executive Director Public Libraries New Zealand (PLNZ) to find out more about PLNZ’s role and key activities, and why hearing Mandy Hager speak on the emotional power of the written word, and the transformative role of librarians, was one of the highlights of the PLNZ National Forum this May.

Please set the scene and tell us a little about the wider public library sector.

Public libraries represent the largest library sector in New Zealand in terms of registered and active members (1.4M), collections (10M physical items, 12.6M digital items), service locations (340, including mobile libraries), visitation (25M physical visits, 33.4M virtual visits) and usage (34.5M physical loans, 16.7M digital loans/downloads) and staffing (2,360 FTE).

Public libraries are integral to their local communities in providing community spaces and public programmes for all ages, access to technology and support in its use as well as a safe, respectful and supportive space for all members of the community.

Public libraries across New Zealand are also one of the key community access points for the current and published output of New Zealand authors, poets and illustrators as well as being a venue for public events celebrating New Zealand writers and their work.

A number of public libraries already have a strong relationship with their local branch of the New Zealand Society of Authors, and other libraries have identified local and/or New Zealand authors in their collection catalogue.  

What is Public Libraries New Zealand (PLNZ)’s role?

PLNZ was established in 2009 as the Association of Public Library Managers Inc which remains its legal name, although PLNZ operates under the name of Public Libraries New Zealand. Our organisation is the key sector advocate for public libraries, and particularly the current and emerging leaders in the New Zealand public libraries. PLNZ has 307 members covering all New Zealand local authorities.

Gracehopper author Mandy Hager speaks at the PLNZ National Forum, held 2-3 May 2024.

We’d love to hear about your key activities.

While we have a number of key activities, outlined below, PLNZ also works in collaboration with other sector partners and organisations, such as LIANZA, SLANZA, LGNZ and the National Library of New Zealand. 

PLNZ key activities include:

Strategic Framework: in collaboration with PLNZ members, we developed and published the Public Libraries of New Zealand Strategic Framework 2020-2025, which provides a high level framework for the development and delivery of public library services in Aotearoa New Zealand. This strategic framework is also well aligned with the strategic direction of public libraries internationally.

Advocacy: PLNZ is a strong advocate for the role and importance of public libraries as a cornerstone community institution. This advocacy includes promoting the value of public libraries, the multiple services they provide to support literacy, the enjoyment of reading, access to information online and as a safe space for all the community. The advocacy role also includes writing submissions to Councils, central government and promoting public libraries in the media and online.

National Public Library Data Collection: PLNZ has developed a high quality database of New Zealand public library activity and performance data over the past decade to provide a strong evidence base on which PLNZ and individual libraries can benchmark their performance with peer libraries and advocate for the contribution of public libraries to communities at a local and national level.

In 2024/25, PLNZ will be extending this database to include outcomes data on the contribution of public libraries to the wellbeing of communities. The promotion of social, economic, cultural and environmental wellbeing is identified as one of the purposes of local government in the New Zealand Local Government (Community Well-Being) Amendment Act(2019).

National Campaigns: from time to time, PLNZ conducts national campaigns to promote and advocate for public libraries. In May 2022, PLNZ launched the Fine Free Aotearoa campaign (www.finefreeaotearoa.org.nz) to support Councils and libraries to abolish overdue charges and remove this financial barrier to library membership and usage. 

As at 30 June 2023, a total of 59 libraries (92% of all New Zealand public libraries) were fine free for children & youth members and 38 libraries (58% of all public libraries) were fine free for all library members. This campaign is ongoing with the goal of 100% of all New Zealand public libraries being fine free for all members.

National Forum: each year, PLNZ organises a National Forum event for its members as an opportunity to network, to hear inspiring speakers on current and emerging trends and to engage with library vendors and suppliers. This year, the National Forum was held in Wellington from 2-3 May and was attended by over 130 library delegates and representatives of 18 vendors and sponsors.

A keynote address at this year’s National Forum by award winning New Zealand author Mandy Hager was one of the highlights of the Forum, inspiring delegates on the emotional power of the written word and the transformative role of librarians to provide access to stories and information.

Taking Care of Business Webinars: in addition to the activities above, PLNZ curates and delivers a series of Taking Care of Business webinars on topical issues to support PLNZ members. Recent webinars have included Taking Care of Business sessions on Makerspaces in public libraries and Rainbow and Drag Storytime events,

How can other Coalition for Books members find out more and get in contact?

For general information about Public Libraries New Zealand Public visit our website: www.publiclibraries.org.nz. You can also contact me via email on bernie.hawke@publiclibraries.org.nz