Around the Country in 20 Days - Rivkah Sass in NZ

Updating on the eLGAR co-ordinated visit to New Zealand of Rivkah Sass, our American Librarian visitor is currently in Masterton on the final leg of her three week trip around the country. Rivkah was brought to New Zealand as a result of 3M Innovation Award prize money won by eLGAR in 2006. As the investment of international travel from Omaha, Nebraska had already been made, eLGAR offered this inspirational speaker to our public library colleagues around New Zealand and was delighted at the number of regions that took up the opportunity to share in hearing an international conference speaker.

The complete intinerary co-ordinated by the Programme Office included five speaking venues offering all staff the opportunity to attend an event anywhere within the Auckland region at a variety of times. We were also delighted that the invitation extended to our neighbouring colleagues was gladly accepted by librarians from Papakura and UNITEC. In addition to the collective talks Rivkah visited selected libraries to meet personally with staff and to see what New Zealand Libraries have to offer. She was most impressed by the quality and diversity of our services and by the welcoming friendliness of all our people. Congratulations!

After Auckland Rivkah travelled to Nelson for a breakfast talk to staff at Nelson Public before attending the South Island Manager's group meeting. Then in a whirlwind of stops it was on to Dunedin to address public and university librarians as well as local Councillors, Balclutha and Invercargill. The next day in Gore Rivkah was flattered that the Mayor of the town joined the library staff to hear her speak. Next it was up to Winton before Queenstown to talk to the Lakes District librarians and a much needed quiet weekend in the haven of Arrowtown. On Monday she flew to Christchurch for a tour of Selwyn/Aoraki and Christchurch libraries then Wellington to catch a train through the Rimatakas to Masterton. Currently Rivkah is being toured through the Wairarapa Libraries back to Wellington where she will leave us on Saturday. Phew! Quite a feat for our visitor but having spent some time with her in Auckland I can say that she has so much energy and enthusiasm for libraries and her comment was that she didn't want to miss a minute of the opportunities we had given her in New Zealand.

While Rivkah remarked that she felt that the trip would benefit her more than us, the feedback received from staff indicates what a two-way exchange it has been. Jane Robinson the librarian in Gore sent an email thanking eLGAR for including country libraries in the itinerary, remarking that smaller libraries often miss out. The Programme Office is delighted to co-ordinate opportunities that promote professional development for librarians and in particular eLGAR staff and we hope to be able to offer other programmes in the future.