Highly regarded community library manager Helen Woodhouse has left her post after more than three decades of service at Takapuna Library.
Helen started at her job in 1984 and has been part of some major projects that have changed the face of community libraries. These include the new library in Takapuna and the introduction of computers and other technology.
Auckland Libraries, Devonport-Takapuna Local Board and the Friends of Takapuna Library jointly hosted a farewell celebration on 29 May at the library with colleagues, friends, family, and members of the wider community in attendance.
Among those to farewell the community stalwart was North Shore Councillor Chris Darby.
“Helen is a remarkable person and for over three decades, she has been the face of Takapuna Library for thousands of people.”
“The community loves her. Her willingness and generosity to those she serves has no bounds.”
Helen has relished the role the library has given her in the community and, while she has decided to step back from the responsibility and day-to-day bustle of the job, she will remain a pillar of the community.
Her last day at the library is Friday 31 May. She has already lined up a new job as a part-time teacher aide at her local intermediate school.
Leading the way
Libraries in New Zealand, and globally, were at the forefront of the tech revolution. It was up to librarians such as Helen to adapt and bring new and ever-changing technology into their communities.
Shortly after the new library was completed, and with computerisation projects ongoing, Helen saw the amalgamation of local bodies and the creation of the Auckland Central Library in 1989.
Healthy debate
As Helen boxed up her whole archives, she recounted her time working on the Library’s series of Celebrity Debates.
These debates ran from the decade 1992 to 2002. They were hugely popular and, Helen says, “brought in quite a lot of money for the library each year” as a major part of their annual fundraising efforts.
Helen organised the library’s very first debate and continued to be instrumental to their operation in the following years. The Celebrity Debates series was broadcast live on Radio New Zealand and hosted numerous prominent figures.
“David Lange, Michael Hurst, Michele A’court and other big names of the time became regulars of the debate series,” she says.
Helen loved being involved with these debates, as well as being entrenched in community events such as author nights and hosting community groups.
