SNN December 2018

diverse library community. I felt that I wasn’t alone and in the
words of Lucy Bloom you sometimes have to take risks!
What do you enjoy about running the library at Burwood?
I have been running the Allan Bean Centre Library for 16
years and have seen many changes in that time. When I
first set up the library; patients and families would regularly
visit to use the computers for email, study and work etc.
now patients arrive in the spinal unit with their own smart
phones and tablets! The ABC Library was demolished in
2015 and I have had to adapt to a new situation whilst still
providing a library service for patients, their whanau and
staff. This has involved thinking outside the box, as well as
resilience.
I love my job because it is more than just about books
on shelves. It is about the human interaction, finding the
information, carrying out research, and anticipating and
responding to the needs of clients.
For the uninitiated, what sort of resources are available at
the Allan Bean Centre Library?
The Library has a comprehensive collection of disability
and rehabilitation resources including spinal cord injury,
brain injury as well as other topics. We also have our own
range of publications and multimedia which you can access
through our Shop page: https://nzspinaltrust.org.nz/shop/
Available are laptops, free internet, printer, books, including
magazines/journals, DVDs, talking books, etc.
Support programmes include computer training, literacy
support and research. Some assistive technology is also
available.
For free membership to the ABC Library and to receive a
monthly new book list please complete this form: https://
nzspinaltrust.org.nz/resources/abc-library/registration-form/
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