Media release - 26 July 2004
RECRUITMENT FOR NEW LIBRARY AT BOTANY SHATTERS STEREOTYPE
What has tattoos loves fast cars and listens to hip hop? A librarian.
A new website www.theidealists.co.nz depicting a group of hip, diverse individuals, as action-heroes, aims to get
exuberant, energetic and fun loving people to apply for a job in a new library opening in Botany Town Centre.
The media may still get lots of mileage out of the librarian stereotype - a stuffy older woman with mousy brown hair in
a bun - but the clichés often don't fit with reality.
Librarians come in all shapes and sizes, (and hairstyles). Botany Library will be located above a pub, and beside a
multiplex cinema, in one of the grandest retail complexes in New Zealand. In a word, Botany Library is different.
Technologies geared to self-service will reduce the manual workload for staff, so that the focus can be on quality
customer service. Those working with customers will not be called librarians, but customer service advisors.
Libraries are not only about books these days. Providing free web access, internet databases and resources, magazines,
CDs, DVD's and videos make up a large part of what public libraries offer. In a high-profile and high-volume library,
customer service advisors will need to be committed to delivering extra ordinary customer service excellence and
developing in-depth knowledge of products and services.
There are lots of chances to make your mark on the profession, plus qualified librarians are in short supply. Manukau
Libraries offers a partially sponsored chance to study towards a library qualification should you wish to pursue your
career further.
Botany Library opens in October. Recruiting is now on for customer services advisors and customer service team leaders.
To apply for a position in this exciting new library development visit http://www.theidealists.co.nz
ENDS