Ōpōtiki District Council farewells Library Manager
Ōpōtiki District Council will be saying a very sad farewell to long-serving library manager, Jo Hunt later this month after a “whirlwind” eight years in the role.
Council’s General Manager of Community Services and Development, Anna Hayward, said that it was going to be very difficult to let Jo go, but couldn’t be more thankful for her work over many years.
“I can’t express just how much Jo has achieved in her time at the library. She has built a library service that is second-to-none, providing our community with many un-dreamed-of services and facilities, with few restrictions due to our small population and remote location.
“She has also successfully navigated two significant shifts – one out of the old building and then from temporary premises into Te Tāhuhu o Te Rangi. Nurtured new clubs, events and activities. She has also taken the library from a strong reliance on the paper version to absolutely stellar list of digital and online resources.
“Under Jo’s leadership, the library has earnt its place right in the heart of the community. It has manaakitanga, service and care at the core of all they do.
“Jo is always quick to remind people that libraries have never really been “all about books”. They have always been about sharing knowledge in all its forms and building community. She has certainly made that the case here in Ōpōtiki,” Ms Hayward said.
Jo Hunt said that she was proud of what the library team had achieved in the past eight years.
“I am still around! And perhaps it won’t be a surprise to people that I do love the library and its place in the community. You’ll still see me wandering the aisles for a while yet. I will be back part time to help with the changeover and support the team.
“If nothing else, I am pleased to catch up with everyone at a morning tea next week but it is certainly not a goodbye!” Jo Hunt said.
The community are invited to morning tea with Jo Hunt and the library team on Friday 10 June from 10:45am at Te Tāhuhu o Te Rangi.
