Library's centennial conference tomorrow

Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa organising committee member Helen...
Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa organising committee member Helen Brownlie holds a book of talks (left) given at the association's first conference in 1910. An early association president, Thomas Leys, of Auckland, is shown in the background. Photo by Peter McIntosh
When more than 600 people converge on Dunedin for the Library and Information Association of New Zealand's centennial conference this weekend, many will reflect on how far the organisation has come since 1910.

Only 15 people, representing public libraries throughout the country, attended the organisation's first conference, also held in Dunedin, where the organisation was founded.

This year, more than 500 delegates, including 300 from the North Island, and more than 100 trade representatives will attend the latest national conference.

Keynote speakers include Stephen Abram, Carol Tenopir, and David Shumaker, all from the United States; Jesus Lau, of Mexico and Tahu Potiki, of Dunedin.

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull and association president Carolyn Robertson will speak at the conference opening tomorrow.

The association, which is the professional organisation for the country's library and information services industry, was formed after, in January 1910, the Dunedin City Council decided to convene a national conference of public library representatives to discuss aspects of "the general conduct and management of libraries in this Dominion".

Conference convener Linda Geddes said the latest conference theme "At the Edge" reflected the association's "leading edge" role in professional development.

The four-day gathering would celebrate past achievements but also help participants prepare for a future of growing technological change.

Conference organising committee member Helen Brownlie said that only four talks, including one on travelling libraries, had been given at the first conference.

More than 50 would be given at the latest.

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