Library, creative sectors among respondents to NZ National Library strategy document

The National Library of New Zealand has published the feedback to its proposed strategic direction.

In total, the library received 164 submissions, including from peak bodies from the library, publishing and creative sectors, on its draft report ‘Positioning for the Future: Draft Strategic Directions to 2030’.

The report covered three concepts: a ‘knowledge network’ for easier access to publicly held collections and research; a ‘nation of readers’ to build social cohesion, participation and wellbeing; and ‘words as taonga’ (literally translated as ‘treasure’) to learn from the past and inspire the future.

While the majority of submissions (72%) approved of the three concepts, some respondents questioned whether the strategic direction reflected their idea of a national library.

Many respondents called for stronger leadership from the library as a repository of knowledge, collector of heritage documents and internationally renowned institution. In one submission, a National Library staff member complained that ‘the document says nothing about what a national library should be or what the vision for the national library in 2030 is’. ‘Overall there is a lack of aspiration and no sense that the national library might be, for example, a place where a nation nourishes its memory and exerts its imagination,’ the submission reads.

The concept of a knowledge network was mostly favourably received when the network was interpreted as a linking of resources across institutions. However, respondents objected to the concept when the removal of barriers was interpreted as a disregard of rights holders.

Respondents were split in their responses to the concept of a nation of readers: some applauded the importance of reading and literacy and acknowledged the inequity of access to knowledge, while others regarded reading as a bookish, outdated focus or outside the scope of the national library.

While the concept of words as taonga was broadly popular, there was ‘widespread disagreement’ with the title and different interpretations of what it meant. ‘Some submitters felt that this theme read as static or implied that collecting is “done”,’ said the report. ‘In addition to an emphasis on the collection, preservation and care of heritage materials, they wanted to see evidence of the library’s role in actively collecting contemporary materials.’

A final strategy document will be published in December. To read the feedback, click here.

Category: Library news