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Massey Univ., Palmerston North PL
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Our next stop was Palmerston North, where we visited Massey University, the second largest
university in the country, with 39,000 students, twelve percent of whom are Maori. Library director John
Redmayne called it "a standard New Zealand university library." In a country of only four million, the
eight universities compete for about 157,000 students, most of whom commute. Since New Zealand now
has one of the world's lowest rates of unemployment, there is a scramble for students. They now actively
recruit foreign students (mainly from Southeast Asia and China) which now make up now make up twelve
percent of student body at Massey. They are the largest provider of distance materials in the country,
lending over 228,000 items last year. It also serves branches in Auckland and Wellington. The library has
about one million volumes, a budget of NZ$13.7 million, and 110 staff (75 of whom are in Palmerston
North). . I like the sign I saw in this library: "Save time, save stress...ask a librarian." I'm sure they
wouldn't mind if we used this in our own libraries.
Palmerston North Central Library is "housed in a skillfully refurbished heritage building" that used
to be a department store. Strikingly modern, the architect won a national award for its design. It calls itself
the "Living Room of the City." The director, Anthony Lewis, traveled to the USA and Scandinavia to get
ideas for the design. It is larger than would be expected for a town of 70,000 plus since the living room
arrangement uses more space. Each subject area has U-shaped sub-areas called living rooms, with study
space and appropriate design. I found it confusing, but it could be gotten used to. There is a lot of artwork
and bright colors, but the shelving is again in industrial gray. The library seemed quite noisy to me. They
loan 1.5 million items per year with 53 FTE staff and spend nearly NZ$60 per citizen. Lewis said that the
library is quite a bargain compared to other costs in New Zealand: daily newspaper NZ$301, fish and chips
every week NZ$260, gym membership NZ$540 or gasoline (20 liters per week, about 5 gallons) NZ$1123.
The library is required to generate seven percent of its budget. They don't like to charge, but do so for CDs,
DVDs, computer time, printing, and some best sellers (NZ$5 per week). The users don't seem to mind
since New Zealand has a tradition of user charges.
OPL ALERT! The Roslyn Community Library (part of the Palmerston North Public Library) is
located in a space no bigger than most OPLs. A tiny storefront was transformed into a vibrant, welcoming,
and well-used library branch. It was painted with bright colors and furniture that echoes those of the main
library Comfortable seating was located right in the front, so that passersby could see people enjoying the
library and be encouraged to come in. A horizontal line painted about two-third of the way up the walls
drew the eye down from the high ceiling and concentrated their gaze on the bookshelves. All signage was
bright and kept at the same level. These are all ideas that we can implement. We also saw the library's
bookmobile. It makes stops in neighborhoods and schools six days a week; two mornings are reserved for
special events. It is wrapped in graphics in the same bright colors as the library.
The next day we had morning tea at Woodsy's Garden Centre in Hawera. (I found out that morning
and afternoon teas are a mainstay of New Zealand life and include pastry as well as tea and coffee. To skip
a tea break is unheard of.) Woodsy's is one of John Stanley's clients. It is very attractive, which is quite
necessary due to its poor location at the edge of town. The café has been a great addition, drawing people
into the store. However, we were disappointed to see no cross-selling between café and garden. This and
other items showed that the staff has good ideas, but the execution needs work and follow through. I
thought that gifts, wrap, and fresh flower bouquets would be good additions to the offerings. I saw a sign
saying that help can be hired for one's gardening, but this should be featured more prominently, perhaps on
wheelbarrow or at checkout (where one might wonder, "how will I even get all this planted?"). Also, high
margin items should be the first things seen and at checkout, not the pest control products there now, which
have low margins and are not "sexy." There is a sign outside with their mascot, Woodsy the dog, but he is
not used inside. He should be all over, with suggestions for purchases, such as, "Woodsy says...time to
plant your roses" or "Woodsy says...did you remember fertilizer?"
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