Lauryn Urquhart - Otago Regional Rep & Collected Editor
|
My love of libraries began when I started primary school and discovered our (teeny tiny) library. While everyone else was out in the playground I, as self-appointed librarian, was busy shelving books, shelf checking or curled up reading amongst the cushions.
I began my real-life library career as a library assistant with Dunedin Public Libraries which felt more like fun than work each day. In this role I took on as many opportunities for PD and extra responsibilities and qualifications as I could in order to learn and experience as much as I could about everything involved in working in all areas of libraries. |
Making the decision to 'jump ship' into school libraries wasn't taken lightly; I could see a teenaged reading-gap in public libraries and I wanted to know why, and I wanted to tackle it head on.
Since joining Taieri College as library manager in 2019 I've found my reason for being and the skills I learnt in the public sector have been invaluable. I enjoy the challenge of working alongside teens to foster a life-long love of reading as well as working on building a reading culture within our school by making our library more visible and accessible. I also feel privileged to be able to be a role model to our rangatahi while making the library a safe and inclusive place within our school.
As if this wasn't enough, I decided to extend my role to advocating for school libraries throughout New Zealand. I joined SLANZA in 2019 and found myself on the National Executive in 2023. This has been a truly amazing move for me personally, I have gained huge insight into our school library sector, and am proud to be part of a hardworking team who advocates for all school libraries and school librarians throughout Aotearoa.
Since joining Taieri College as library manager in 2019 I've found my reason for being and the skills I learnt in the public sector have been invaluable. I enjoy the challenge of working alongside teens to foster a life-long love of reading as well as working on building a reading culture within our school by making our library more visible and accessible. I also feel privileged to be able to be a role model to our rangatahi while making the library a safe and inclusive place within our school.
As if this wasn't enough, I decided to extend my role to advocating for school libraries throughout New Zealand. I joined SLANZA in 2019 and found myself on the National Executive in 2023. This has been a truly amazing move for me personally, I have gained huge insight into our school library sector, and am proud to be part of a hardworking team who advocates for all school libraries and school librarians throughout Aotearoa.
