A shortage of Māori and Pacific librarians, low pay, high turnover for new entrants and limited career advancement opportunities are key workforce issues impacting New Zealand’s library sector.

These are amongst the challenges identified in the draft Libraries and Archives Workforce Development Plan (WDP) released by Toi Mai Workforce Development Council today for public consultation. The WDP also identifies actions and recommendations to address these issues.

Te Tumu o Toi | Toi Mai Chief Executive Dr Claire Robinson says libraries play a valuable role in communities across the motu with their role expanding over the past 20 years from places that just lend books and offer a quiet space to read to important community hubs that help people navigate and access essential information.

In addition to the changing scope and expectations, the sector faces workforce issues, especially around representation and diversity.

“At the 2023 Census, there were 4,100 European librarians, 710 Māori and 340 of Pacific heritage. The sector recognises it needs a more diverse workforce to service multi-cultural communities and help address issues it will face in the future.

“Retention in libraries is also challenging – in the five years to 2022, over 50% of new entrants in this female-dominated workforce had left the sector after two years. Related to this is the high number of people who have never changed roles. This points to a lack of advancement opportunities, which coupled with low pay rates and unsociable hours explains this high turnover rate for new entrants.

“We also heard how public perceptions of what a librarian does are often outdated, and the sector struggles to counter these perceptions and realistically show the myriad roles on offer to prospective employees – particularly high school students who would otherwise be excellent librarians but choose other careers.”

Dr Robinson says the lack of visible pathways into library and archives careers was something Toi Mai heard often when researching this WDP.

Following consultation, Toi Mai will work with the sector to progress the WDP actions and recommendations. This includes reviewing existing qualifications, investigating further options for work-based learning, and consulting with Māori and Pacific communities about their training needs.

Dr Robinson encourages industry members, education providers and those with an interest in the library and archive sector to provide feedback on the WDP.

Click here to read the draft Torona Kaupekatia | Reaching Out – Libraries and Archives Workforce Development Plan and provide your feedback by completing the survey.

Consultation is open until 10 August 2025.