joshuatj3d ago

Rare assembly of leaders of libraries and archives from Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United States of America. They were here to celebrate the opening of Te Kahu, new Heritage campus of Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kawanatanga and National Library of New Zealand. Now a panel discussion about disruption, trends and transformation: libraries and archives leading change.

#disruption #archives #libraries

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Q1: Unique challenges of each institution

Notes:
1. People (staff) cannot be easily replaced
2. Challenges = opportunities.
3. We have the space and the place, the capacity and capabilities to bring people together
4. Perception - how do we pass it on? How do we let people who have not engaged with us to start engaging with us? These include engaging the future, descendents, next generations...

#archives #libraries #longtermaccess #digitalpreservation #DigiPres

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Q2: Significant signal/trends?
Notes:
DMLA - World is very angry. Modes of behaviour quite new to our profession. Threats/intimidation - what can't or can be said. Important to not harden our hearts. Say less and listen a lot more.
SF - Archives might be more passive in the past. More active now. Responsibility to step into this place - we tell the stories of our nations. Do not be passive. Not sit back.
LW - Important to collaborate and cooperate. Not only within the sector, but also beyond.
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(cont.)
LW - Stronger together. Bolder together. Create collaboration. Demonstrate the impact.
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Q3: Transformation opportunities?
RLD - Often asked to do more with less. Innovation - where to find? Staff innovation. Leverage staff expertise. Ability to connect. Huge opportunity to allow staff to help us think about how transformation might happen.
AM - He Tangata x3. People. Without people to speak on behalf of collections, we wouldn't be able to share. Bring the next generation along.
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Q4: Community engagement success?
SF - important for communities to see themselves in the stories that were told. Northern territories, Darwin office, 2022 onwards, sustained increase in collaboration with these communities. Made sure engagements weren't transactional. To develop a real relationship with the communities. Worked with first nations, the Larrakia people, when establishing the office and services offered. Farewell and welcome ceremonies led by the Larrakia people.
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(cont.)
Q: Repatriation considered?
SF - not in this case. Can and should be done. But a lot of records were created and owned by government agencies. Tread the line of legislative responsibilities and the responsibilities to the people and community. Knowledge system - important to have the indigenous knowledge system in our system.
Mar 25 at 5:46amWeb
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(Q4 cont.)
DMLA - We can't be useful to people unless they can see themselves in the collections. Engagement with future generation.
RLD - vast majority we (LOC) received are gifts. Only 25% are from legal deposit etc. Community archiving programme - various topics. Staff work with the communities. As a result, LOC get a copy of that.
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(Q4 cont.)
LW - 100th Chinese Exclusion Act. Historical context - Large Chinese diaspora. Canada wouldn't be Canada without the Chinese building the railway. Initially head tax, then eventually CEA. Repealed 40 years later. But impact was huge.

Creator in residence. Eric Chan (eepmon). Access to the CEA records. Created three works of art. Impact was huge. Closing act at World Expo 2025 Osaka. https://www.canada.ca/en/library-archives/corporate/updates/2025/creator-residence-constellations.html

LAC’s Creator in Residence showcased at the Canada Pavilion during Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan - Canada.ca

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Q5: Secret to be resilient. Keeping positive?
DMLA - well spring of joy of the work we do cannot be underestimated. Q to Finance staff, why keep working at NLA when they can get more working elsewhere. Because they're close to the people they're serving. See, smell, touch the impact we helped create. Joyful, noble work.
AM - Different associations helped bring us to where we are. S/o to IFLA, LIANZA, ARANZ and others. Key to our resilience. Also future gen - gives us strength to keep going.
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(cont.)
SF - we have to be resilient to come into a career where you will never see the end of. We have special kind of individuals. We understood stewardship, custodianship - that's how we can be resilient.

Just have to be kind to yourself. Take the time to look after yourself. Be mindful and present.

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(cont.)
LW - Passion. Story - Hosted delegates, after the tour, would say, "We've never seen such passion".
RLD - Never worked at a organisation that has the longetivity as the library. Award to staff who have worked for long time. Story - honouring staff who have worked 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 years. Total about 1000 years of service.