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Warkworth Library manager Lisa Outwin has retired after 24 years with library services, first with Rodney District Council followed by Auckland Council.
She was farewelled with waiata, tribute songs, gifts and flowers at a function in the old Masonic Hall on December 11.
On behalf of Auckland Libraries, Megan Grimshaw-Jones said Lisa was a manager who had excelled at her job.
“You set high standards for yourself and expected the same,” Megan said. “You are a champion of diversity in our workplaces, a fully engaged community participant and leader, and a lover of creativity and learning with a keen interest in te reo Maori.”
Lisa stepped into the role of manager in Warkworth in 2017.
She was acknowledged as a voracious and knowledgeable reader who also ran the library’s book groups, and probably will continue to do so as a volunteer. She also steered the libraries through covid.
Megan said one of Lisa’s major achievements was managing Warkworth’s transition into an integrated library and council customer service centre.
“Lisa and the [Warkworth] team got stuck in, did the work needed, the new learning, supported each other and continue to do so.”
Megan said all this had been achieved in a building that was failing with ongoing weather tightness issues, in addition to it no longer being suitable for the needs of a modern, growing library service.
“These issues are still to be addressed,” she said.
For her part, Lisa said she didn’t know where the 24 years had gone.
“I’ve been happy in my work every day,” she said. “When I started there were no computers and Google had just been invented.”
She said some of her memories of her library service would include issuing books in the dark during a three-day power blackout and having former Mayor Len Brown join a holiday programme.
“But most of all it will be the team of inspirational people I’ve worked with – I’m so proud of what we have achieved together.”
\Former Wellsford Library manager Jamie Robertson is the new manager in Warkworth, while Claire Winiana has stepped into the role of library manager in Wellsford.
