Hon Judith Tizard Minister Responsible for the National Library

Media statement 31 August 2006

Alexander Turnbull Library Guardians announced

Three new members have been appointed Guardians/ Kaitiaki of the Alexander Turnbull Library the Minister responsible for the National Library Judith Tizard announced today.

Their role is to advise the Minister on key matters associated with the operation of the Alexander Turnbull Library as well as acting as guardians of the Library on behalf of New Zealanders. Dr Lydia Wevers, Director of the Stout Research Centre for New Zealand Studies, has been reappointed Chair for a second term of 2 years. Professor Judith Binney, Emitrus Professor of History at the University of Auckland and a member of the Board of Directors of Te Papa, has been reappointed for a three-year term.

The three new members have been appointed for three-year terms:

Professor Mark Apperley is Dean of the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, and Professor of Computer Science at the University of Waikato. He is interested in user interface issues in digital libraries and was involved in the development of a digital library collection of Māori-language newspapers.

Elizabeth Caffin is Director of the Auckland University Press. She is a Councillor (and past President) of the Book Publishers Association of NZ. She has used the Library extensively as a published author and scholar and is a former librarian.

Dr Monty Soutar (Ngati Porou, Ngati Awa, Ngati Kahungunu, Ngai Tai) is Director of the Tairawhiti Museum and is also a senior lecturer at Massey University in the School of Māori Studies. He was a recipient of the Sir Apirana Ngata Memorial Scholarship (1998) and the Ngarimu VC & 28th (Maori) Battalion Memorial Fund Post-Graduate Scholarship (1999 & 2000).

In welcoming them Judith Tizard said, "The new members of the Guardians/ Kaitiaki have a wealth of knowledge in the areas of mātauranga Māori, publishing, and digital technology. They will ensure the focus for the Alexander Turnbull Library is on being a next generation library that provides the widest possible access to the Turnbull's collections and continues to provide expert research services."

The Minister thanked the outgoing Guardians/ Kaitiaki - Theresa Graham, Dr Patu Hopepa and Dr James Ng - for their time and support for the Alexander Turnbull Library.

ENDS

© Scoop Media