In September, Debbie Dawson, Human Resources Manager, received a Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa Merit Award for Management.

In November, a leadership development programme, produced by the City Libraries’ Human Resources department won the Human Resources Institute of New Zealand Southern Regional Award for Innovation in the category of Influence and Change. The City Libraries was the only public organisation to win an award.

“We are thrilled that our Human Resources team has been acknowledged in this way,” says Christchurch City Libraries’ Manager, Sue Sutherland.

“We are also proud to see libraries measuring up to commercial companies and coming out a winner.”

The leadership programme was put in place at the libraries during 2001 to support staff in team-leader roles. They worked with a management coach each fortnight to build individual skills and networks with other team leaders for mutual peer support. Specific skills developed were self-management strategies, how to work with library management and the development of coaching skills and behaviours.

“The programme is already showing benefits for our team leaders and this award is an exciting way to top off its success,” says Sue.