Library & Learning Centre - Te Whare Pukapuka Wāhanga Whakapakari Ako

Open Polytechnic employs a wide range of learning and teaching experts who provide academic and learning support to our distance learners.

We also use contractors, mostly off campus, who are subject matter experts in their fields who provide academic support and marking services. 

As a specialist provider of open flexible distance learning, we also employ highly skilled courseware design and development, and education technology professionals, administration and customer support staff, as well as library and learning centre staff who are all focused on helping Open Polytechnic learners achieve their educational goals. 

Find out more about our workforce by selecting an area below.

Select an area

• Executive and Senior Leadership Team
• Academic Staff
• Library & Learning Centre - Te Whare Pukapuka Wāhanga Whakapakari Ako
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    Karen Hannay

    Library & Learning Centre Manager

    Open Polytechnic

    Read more about Karen Hannay

    Role at Open Polytechnic

    I manage the Library & Learning Centre, a fantastic team dedicated to supporting students with study skills, exam skills, academic writing, APA referencing, digital literacy, information literacy and research skills. We also provide free and easily accessible books, articles and other information resources related to your course.

    Experience

    I have a Masters in Library & Information Studies and a Bachelor of Arts and have worked in tertiary, public and national libraries.

  • 

    Editha Pangan

    Copyright Manager

    Open Polytechnic

    Read more about Editha Pangan

    Role at Open Polytechnic

    My role within The Open Polytechnic is to provide advice to comply with the NZ Copyright Act and various licence agreements. This involves guidance and support on all copyright issues and related matters in the development of learning materials, investigating and advising on use of third party works, clearing these prior to the publication of courses and keeping records.

    Experience

    I come from a background in Public Policy (Australia) and Economics (Philippines), have worked in higher education for 17 years prior and a member of the Asia-Pacific Copyright Association.

  • 

    Estelle Barnard

    Library & Learning Support Liaison

    Open Polytechnic

    Read more about Estelle Barnard

    Role:

    My responsibilities include assisting ākonga in finding relevant information to help them complete their assignments as well as providing them with tools and strategies to sustain a culture of lifelong learning. I also liaise with kaimahi in the Social Work, Health & Wellbeing and Pharmacy areas to ensure the Library & Learning Centre can supply all the latest course related materials as well as assisting kaimahi with their research projects.

    Experience:

    Even though I’ve worked in this role since October 2004, I’m still enjoying the challenges of staying on top of new developments and communicating with a variety of Library & Learning Centre clients. I’m also a qualified secondary school teacher but prefer the more orderly world of the Librarian.

  • 

    Isabella Howarth

    Library & Learning Support Liaison

    Open Polytechnic

    Read more about Isabella Howarth

    Role:

    As a Library & Learning Support Liaison, I provide support to ākonga and kaimahi in the areas of Built Environment, Engineering, Design, and ICT.

    Experience:

    My background is in the public service, where I previously did library work and information management in the contexts of law and education. I am currently completing a postgraduate qualification in Information Studies, so I look forward to bringing my interest in information literacy to this role.

     

  • 

    Judith Burns

    Library & Learning Support Liaison

    Open Polytechnic

    Read more about Judith Burns

    As the Library and Learning Support Liaison for Business, Management, Marketing, Economics, Financial Services, Early Childhood and Adult Education. My role is to support kaimahi and ākonga in research, teaching needs, course development, information literacy and study skills.

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    Kendal Paton

    Customer Services Representative, Loans and Delivery

    Open Polytechnic

    Read more about Kendal Paton

    In my role I assist ākonga and kaimahi to access and use the wide range of Library resources.

    I enjoy communicating with all Library patrons and aim to support you with a friendly and efficient service.

  • 

    Stephanie Houpt

    Team Leader Library & Learning Support

    Open Polytechnic

    Read more about Stephanie Houpt

    Role:

    I am team leader of the liaison and learning support team. I am also responsible for providing library and learning support to kaimahi and ākonga of accounting, real estate, and law.

    Experience:

    I am fortunate to have been involved in learning and education for most of my career. I initially trained and worked as a teacher and worked mostly in primary schools before training as a librarian. I started my library career in a law firm and then worked at Wellington Medical & Health Sciences Library in a number of different roles. I am very happy to be continuing my involvement in learning here at the Open Polytechnic.

  • 

    Tania Norfolk

    Library & Learning Support Liaison

    Open Polytechnic

    Read more about Tania Norfolk

    Role:

    I am currently the Library & Learning Support Liaison for Communication, Environment, Floristry, Horticulture, Organics, Psychology, Te Reo & Sterilisation. Information literacy is a particular passion - helping ākonga and kaimahi navigate the ever-increasing expanse and diversity of the information world.
    
    

    Experience:

    I have many years’ experience working in tertiary education including as an information literacy liaison, research advisor, and learning designer. I have worked across a wide range of subject areas including education, health, psychology, creative arts, trades, and business.

    I enjoy helping ākonga at all levels and look forward to supporting you.

    Whāia te mātauranga hei oranga mō koutou – Seek after learning for your wellbeing.

     

  • 

    Tom Avery

    Systems Librarian

    Open Polytechnic

    Read more about Tom Avery

    Role at Open Polytechnic

    As a systems librarian, I collaborate with vendors and the tech teams at Open Polytechnic to ensure that our kaimahi and ākonga can easily access the wealth of resources in the Library & Learning Centre. Plus, as a Liaison Librarian for Library and Information Studies, my passion lies in helping ākonga find, and make the most of, quality academic sources.

    Experience

    I have gained valuable experience in both public and tertiary libraries, and having studied by distance, understand the journey our ākonga go on in achieving their study goals.

  • 

    Vhairi Miles

    Library & Learning Support Liaison

    Open Polytechnic

    Read more about Vhairi Miles

    Role:

    I am the Library & Learning Support Liaison for Funeral Directing, Initial Teacher Education (Primary & Secondary) & Te Rito Maioha. My role is to support ākonga and kaimahi in finding resources, referencing, academic writing, study skills and course development.

    Experience:

    I have worked in public and secondary school libraries. As a school librarian I taught information literacy and research skills, constantly evolving to keep up with the fast-changing online environment. Have completed a BA in Library & Information Studies right here at the Open Polytechnic, I am keen to help others achieve their learning goals.

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