Posted on 16 June 2026
80th AnniversaryWe caught up with Open Polytechnic graduate Kirsten Elliot recently, who started studying with Open Polytechnic in 2016, and now in 2026 she is working in the library industry in the UK.
In 2016, Kirsten had never worked in a library before, but she knew it's what she wanted to be doing in her working life.
Therefore, Kirsten started studying full-time, completing a Level 5 NZ Diploma in Information and Library Studies at New Zealand’s leading provider of flexible online learning, Open Polytechnic.
She enjoyed it so much that she went on to complete a library degree with Open Polytechnic over the next few years.
“As a voracious reader and creative writer, I'd always been a keen library user,” Kirsten said.
“But it wasn't until I became a second-hand bookseller that I realised how much I enjoyed helping people find the information they need, and that's when librarianship as a career option opened up to me.”
Open Polytechnic’s flexible, online learning suited Kirsten best: The qualifications fitted with her career aspirations, and she trusted Open Polytechnic as an education provider, having studied with them previously.
She also had the option to study full-time initially and then part-time once she started working at a library, allowing her to manage the workload around her disability and chronic illness.
“As someone completely new to the library sector, I appreciated that the course began with a broad foundation,” Kirsten says.
“When I started working in the sector, first in a volunteer role before finding part-time employment, I was able to relate concepts directly from my learning to what I was seeing in the library environment.”
During her time studying at Open Polytechnic, Kirsten was a recipient of support for disabled ākonga (learners).
“I'm grateful for the support this provided me to continue my studies at that time,” Kirsten says.
“I also want to acknowledge the 2019 Study Grant I received from SLANZA, the School Library Association of New Zealand Aotearoa, which helped me to complete my degree.”
Dr Eric Boamah, Open Polytechnic’s Principal Academic Staff Member for the Bachelor of Library and Information Studies programme says, “Kirsten was a fantastic student and did great with her practicum. It’s great to learn that she is still enjoying working in the industry in the UK.”
Since graduating with Open Polytechnic, Kirsten has worked in public libraries, primary and secondary schools, and tertiary libraries, along with digital archives across New Zealand and the UK.
Kirsten’s Open Polytechnic qualification helped her to become a registered librarian with LIANZA and then a chartered information professional with UK-based CILIP, the library and information association, receiving a CILIP125 award in 2023.
In 2026, Kirsten started a new job as Library and Learning Officer at Gateshead College in Sunderland and loves it.
“I'm getting to play to my strengths in a diverse and inclusive environment and couldn't be happier,” Kirsten says.
Open Polytechnic is celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2026.
Are you an Open Polytechnic graduate who wants to share how your studies have helped in your career?
We would love to hear from you, please email us: socialmedia@openpolytechnic.ac.nz