Chris Szekely

Chris Szekely has held the statutory role of Chief Librarian since 2007. He is responsible for ensuring that the collections of the Turnbull are preserved, protected, developed and made accessible.

Previously, Chris was City Librarian of Manukau Libraries in South Auckland, and he is a founding and life member of Te Rōpū Whakahau, an association for Māori working in libraries and information management.

He was an inaugural Commissioner on the Library and Information Advisory Commission in 2003 and is a Fellow of the Library & Information Association New Zealand Aotearoa (LIANZA). His professional interests include services to Maori and New Zealand children's literature.

Chris sees the future of the Turnbull as an institution that continues to be a trusted repository for New Zealand's documentary heritage, with reading rooms and facilities that are welcoming and relevant, and people who are expert and knowledgeable. He is excited by the opportunities for enhancing the use of collections through digital delivery.