Kōtuku Emerging Leader Programme – a guest post from Sarah McCallum

Sarah McCallum

I’m excited to be a part of Kōtuku 2018. I’ve identified that I want to achieve success and strive to be my best self, and to help others to do so as well. I have been working in libraries for 9 years now and felt ready to step up to a leadership position and really make use of my experience and qualifications to support staff delivering library services. Kōtuku is the ideal support and learning model for my goal, covering a broad range of leadership topics with the added bonus of GLAM sector networking.

I want to be in a position to influence and challenge decisions made about how we do things and what we are doing here at Christchurch City Libraries. After putting in my application to join Kōtuku, I was appointed to Associate Team Leader at Parklands Library, quite timely but very indicative of where I want to be heading!

Completing this programme is going to look fantastic on my CV, I can’t lie, but also, I wanted to build my network and connections outside of Christchurch City Libraries and really get a feel for where leadership can take me. While I love my colleagues and the relationships I have with other Christchurch Libraries people it is always interesting to hear how things are done elsewhere. Kōtuku is the perfect opportunity to network outside of CCL and build long lasting GLAM relationships.

The programme takes place over eight months, kicked off with a “boot camp” in February – two days of learning, networking, and fun.  Now we’ve begun to work through the swathe of leadership topics – a new one each month – meeting together regularly online to hear from sector leaders on each subject. Topics covered include communication, change management, strategic thinking, management skills, decision making, and leadership and followership.

https://lianza.org.nz/our-work/projects/emerging-leaders

https://lianza.org.nz/article/kotuku-faqs

Every day is a learning day. When I do have spare time I like to sew and spend time with my family. My school librarian husband and I have twin teenage boys and a 3 year old girl so life is often busy and the house is full of all kinds of books.

 

Interview with new Library Manager at Ara Institute

Introducing Dr Kumar Chidambaranathan, the new Library Manager – Library and Information Services at Ara Institute of Canterbury.  

Where are you from?

Kumar is from India and arrived in NZ in November 2017 to take up his new role.

For the last 12 years Kumar has managed libraries in the Middle East.  The last 8 years in Qatar and 4 years before that in Dubai.  Librarians in the Middle East & India are treated like Academic staff and Kumar had the rank of professor in his last job in India. In the Middle East his employment package included a 4 bedroom house to live in, the University paid for his children’s education, medical insurance for family while he was there and flights home to India twice a year. So quite different employment conditions compared to NZ!

Kumar’s wife and family are still in India, but Kumar is looking forward to them moving to Christchurch in May to join him, once his son has finished high school.  His son has enrolled at University of Canterbury.

Why choose NZ?

Kumar has some family in Auckland and had a colleague in Qatar from New Zealand so had some knowledge of the country before he arrived. He has worked with a range of international colleagues for many years so is well used to a multicultural mix.  He was ready for a new challenge and lifestyle.

Is this new role similar to your other roles?

The job is the same, but how you do the job is different. In previous roles Kumar designed and delivered information literacy programmes himself, but here there are other staff that do that. The biggest challenge in the Middle East was to get students to visit the library.  Reading for leisure is also not common in that culture.

Did you experience culture shock coming to NZ?

Not a lot, the main difference is that businesses seem to close down at 5pm here, whereas in other places, most would be open into the early evening. New Zealand is not as multicultural as what he is used to.

What is it like living in the Middle East?

Hot! It is very safe in the countries Kumar lived in with very little crime. There are no direct or indirect taxes levied, which means you can save a lot.  The majority of people living there are ex-pats and the locals are the minority.  Many prestigious Universities have a campus there, so there is lots of competition for student places.  Wealth is obvious everywhere.  Everyone drives big expensive cars and traffic is very busy.