Library Displays at Unitec Library

Pacific Language weeks, Matariki, Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, ANZAC Day, exam/study tips, research symposiums and other events such as Pink Shirt Day and Daffodil Day are some initiatives that were celebrated through library displays at Unitec Library last year. We explored new and different ways to promote our library collection to our staff and students to draw attention to the materials we hold in both our library branches at Te Puna and Waitākere Library. This included both digital and physical collections to inform our staff and students that the library offers more than just books.

Last year’s lockdown, when our physical library was closed on campus, provided us with a good opportunity to come up with innovative ideas to promote our first Pacific Language Week 2020 via social media and online channels. An approach was to feature the Rotuman Language Week 2020 by writing a library blog to provide information about the theme and significance of the celebration to keep our tauira engaged while staying at home.

“Sana has demonstrated Te Noho Kotahitanga values as our kaitiaki guardian of knowledge and taonga, creates a welcoming environment to our whānau using the library space.

This was an effective way to feature our highlighted materials in the Pacific collection to the online audience as an alternative to a print books display. Our library staff have found the library blogs platform very beneficial for sharing interesting news, content and a useful communication tool to promote our resources and services such as Fijian Language Week 2020 and Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori 2020.

“I feel connected to the Pacific space that you create for each language week and it is very encouraging to see our Pacific students get involved with the specific displays.”

Recent trends in academic libraries show that there is a shift in the way libraries, information and research services are delivered. The move to content online, digital literacy and the changing nature of spaces has enabled us, as librarians, to adapt a range of skills and capabilities in the transformation of institutions and ITPs. Library displays contribute to increased circulation statistics and have been found to capture the reader’s attention using selected resources to browse and borrow. Promoting a subject-specific part of the collection has been great in terms of visual appeal and resource selection that resulted in more borrowing. This also helps with collection development to continuously update resources that are relevant to meet the demands of our library users.

At Te Puna Library, the collaborative and quiet space responds to the changing nature of teaching and learning. Using a student-centred approach, we partner with other teams such as Pacific Centre and Maia at Unitec As embedded librarians, teaching information literacy to our learners is valuable to enhance student experiences and study outcomes. Creating library displays has been rewarding – connecting students with their library.

“I borrowed a few books from the display table for my assignment that I didn’t know was available on the library shelf – something new I found out thanks.”

Sana Saleem is Subject Librarian (Pacific) at the Unitec Institute of Technology, Te Whare Wānanga o Wairaka. You can read more about her in our Career Pathways column.