Kaitiaki of the Alexander Turnbull Library

The National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa is pleased to announce three new appointments to the Guardians/Kaitiaki of the Alexander Turnbull Library. Their job is to advise the Minister responsible for the National Library, the Hon. Judith Tizard, on key matters associated with the operation of the Library.

The three new Guardians/Kaitiaki are:
Professor Mark Apperley
Elizabeth Caffin
Dr. Monty Soutar.

Margaret Calder, Chief Librarian of the Alexander Turnbull Library, says, "The new appointees bring significant experience in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), digital technology, Maoritanga, and publishing. Their appointments indicate a greater focus for the Alexander Turnbull Library on next generation libraries, digitisation, and developments in wider access to information."

The National Library also acknowledges and thanks the two outgoing Guardians/Kaitiaki, Ms. Theresa Graham and Dr. Patu Hopepa. Both have been key members of the body for the last three years and have made a significant contribution to the Alexander Turnbull Library during that time.

Members of the Guardians/ Kaitiaki of Alexander Turnbull Library are:
Dr Lydia Wevers (chairperson, term expires September 2008)
Professor Mark Apperley (term expires September 2009)
Professor Judith Binney (term expires September 2009)
Elizabeth Caffin (term expires September 2008)
Dr Monty Soutar (term expires September 2009).

Biographical information about the new Guardians/Kaitiaki:
Professor Mark Apperley (PhD, Bachelor or Engineering) is Dean of the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, and Professor of Computer Science at the University of Waikato. Professor Apperley's interests lie in digital libraries; he has been involved in the development of a digital library collection of Maori-language newspapers. His research has principally been in the field of human-computer interaction, interface design and implementation, information visualisation, navigation of complex information spaces and computer supported collaborative work.

Elizabeth Caffin (MNZM, Master of Arts, Master of Science, Bachelor of Arts) is Director of Auckland University Press. She has a long publishing career and has worked for Collins Publishers, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, A.H. & A.W. Reed Ltd, and Copyright Licensing Ltd. She is a Councillor (and past President) of the Book Publishers Association of New Zealand (BPANZ) and is on the Publishing Courses Advisory Committee, Whitireia Community Polytechnic.

Dr. Monty Soutar, Ngati Porou, Ngati Awa, Ngati Kahungunu, Ngai Tai (PhD, Master of Arts, Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Bachelor of Education, Diploma in Teaching); is Director of Gisborne's Tairawhiti Museum and senior lecturer at Massey University's School of Maori Studies. He is also a researcher and author with a particular interest in Maori oral history.

Dr. Soutar is a member of the Maori Heritage Council (Historic Places Trust) and the Waitangi Tribunal. He has been a member of the Oral History Awards Committee (Ministry for Culture and Heritage) and is on Te Ara Wananga, Maori Advisory Committee to Te Ara The Online Encyclopaedia Of New Zealand. He is a member of Te Pouhere Korere (Maori Historians Association) and received a Fellowship in Maori History (Ministry for Culture and Heritage) in 2004-2005.

New appointments have also been made to National Library's Library and Information Advisory Commission Nga Kaiwhakamarama i nga Kohikohinga Korero (LIAC). See http://www.natlib.govt.nz/bin/media/pr for more information.

ENDS

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