Bill Macnaught, National Librarian, is one of a select few to be awarded a 2019 LIANZA Fellowship. The Fellowships
provide a way for the library sector to thank and congratulate those who have served their communities. At the heart of
the list are dedicated librarians doing great mahi to bring about positive change. This year, LIANZA, the Library and
Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa, is delighted to announce the following members have been awarded
fellowships:
William (Bill) Macnaught, National Librarian; Rachel Esson, Director Content Services at National Library and LIANZA
President; Moira Fraser, Project Lead at University of Canterbury Library; Jane Gilbert, recently retired Library
Director of the Rotorua Public Library; and Pamela Jones, District Children’s and Young Adults librarian for South
Taranaki Libraries.
A LIANZA fellowship is the highest level of professional attainment awarded by the Library and Information Association
of New Zealand, Aotearoa. Fellowships are awarded to those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, teaching or
research qualities and as a result, has made a significant contribution to the advancement of librarianship and/or
information management.
The selection committee says “Bill is a strong, visionary leader who works at political and macro levels to ensure an
understanding of the strategic and critical importance of libraries in modern society.
Bill has achieved significant successes for the National Library: completing the $65 million refit of the National
Library, initiating the idea for the He Tohu exhibition providing public access to three key documents that shaped New
Zealand, creating the Te Puna Foundation connecting more children and young people to reading.
His support for LIANZA has been significant including advice and support for various Executive Officers and more
recently with office space after earthquake issues. Bill ensures the National Library and LIANZA work in partnership.
Bill’s international work includes continuing links libraries in Singapore, China and Australasia. He worked with the
IFLA World Library and Information Congress bid to host WLIC 2022 in Auckland. He is currently Co-Chair of the WLIC 2022
Governing Group. Bill has made a very strong and lasting contribution to New Zealand library service.”