Submission from Te Rau Herenga o Aotearoa Library and Information Association New Zealand Aotearoa (LIANZA)

LIANZA 5 KEY RECOMMENDATIONS OF THIS SUBMISSION • The role of public libraries as a critical and effective enabler of community wellbeing, as the heart of community in every community, should be recognised and supported in all central and local government planning and delivery. [...] The Ministry of Education should mandate and fund schools to provide access to relevant library resources and qualified school librarians, including by working with their local public libraries to support the reading and learning needs of pupils and their families. [...] RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS In response to the ‘provocation’ of the report, LIANZA believes there are three key areas where a full reconsideration of the roles of central and local government should be undertaken to achieve better customer and community outcomes. [...] The Ministry of Education should mandate and fund schools to provide access to relevant library resources and qualified school librarians, including working with their local public libraries to help support the reading and learning needs of pupils and their families. [...] Internationally there is a growing trend to employ social workers and youth workers in libraries to help address the needs of people in that community and this is starting to happen in New Zealand • DIGITAL INCLUSION AND DIGITAL EQUITY are important elements of wellbeing.