Join us for a chat with VET library managers in TAFE Queensland Library Network's Senior Leadership Team who will talk through the hurdles and opportunities that they faced over their amalgamation journey! 

TAFE Queensland became an independent statutory body and was then amalgamated from six RTOs into one. The TAFE Queensland Library Network was one of the first business units to amalgamate on a state-wide basis. These changes have happened in the context of transformations to pedagogy with an increased focus on online learning and in a restrictive fiscal environment.

Talking us through their transformative journey from where they began some years ago, to where they have arrived today are, will be:  

Angela Orth - Library Network Manager

Angela is an experienced Library Manager with a love of working in libraries. She believes in listening, supporting, encouragement and when required, an inner core of steel as the way to get the best outcomes for Tafe Queensland Libraries and her people. Strong leadership and strategic planning expertise has allowed Angela to bring about a very high achieving and forward thinking Library team while surviving in a complex education environment. Angela firmly believes the only reason TAFE Queensland Libraries are where they are today because of outstanding team managers, team leaders and all of her amazing Library team.

Tanya Mohr - Library Client Services Manager

Tanya started as a trainee in 1999 and has worked in many and varied positions in libraries during her career.  Tanya is presently the TAFE Queensland Library Client Services Manager, concentrating on people and spaces.

Randelle Best - Copyright and Licencing Manager

Randelle Best is TAFE Queensland’s Copyright and Licencing Manager and has been in the role since April 2022. Randelle has worked in a number of areas across the organisation, including library and information systems management, ICT project management and product development.

Chris Norlander - Library Learning Services Manager

Chris has 13 years’ experience working in academic libraries, he joined the TAFE QLD Library Network as part of its Learning Service Team before moving into a Team Leader role. In 2021 Chris was appointed Manager, Library Learning Service which oversees the purchase of library resources and liaison activities.   In this role Chris hopes to use data to direct the activities of the team.

Tara Poussard - Virtual Services and Resources Manager

Tara has worked in libraries for many years and has been working with TAFE Queensland Libraries for just over 5 years. As manager of Virtual Services & Resources Tara works with her team in managing all of the library’s online services and resources which include the Integrated library System, TAFE Queensland Library website & Databases.

We will hear about how the library network transitioned from separate regions to a united team, and how this has paved the path for the vision for the organisation in the future. 

There will be many take-aways and stories that are applicable in other VET or HE contexts, as well as other library sectors anticipating structural changes.