Waimakariri Libraries have earned a top spot in the first NPSIG International Music Competition after composing an original song and music video about how much they love their library.

Our entry “Down at Your Library”, was awarded fourth place by the New Professionals Special Interest Group (NPSIG) at the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) 2021 conference on Tuesday.

Waimakariri Library’s Customer Experiences and Diversity Team Leader, Laura Caygill learnt of the competition just a few days before the deadline and says she’s delighted with the result.

“We have a great team and this was a wonderful opportunity to use all our creative energies and talents,” said Laura. “We 100% believe in the message of our little song – things really are better down at your library.”

Library Assistant Amy Hallmark wrote the lyrics and Assistant Librarian Ben Eldridge put them to original music. Just three days after hearing about the competition, Laura found herself in a recording studio, singing lead vocals.

“There were a lot of laughs in the room as we recorded the song and we suddenly realised we could actually pull this off,” Laura said. “I think what makes our video special is that you can see just how much fun we are having.”

The accompanying video shows library customers and staff enjoying the resources at Ruataniwha Kaiapoi Library and Civic Centre and features Hazel, the Library Reading Dog.

“The task was to show our passion for libraries and the community where we work, which wasn’t too hard as we all love what we do,” Laura said.

The competition judges said they were overwhelmed by the response to the inaugural event, receiving 70 entries from 17 countries.

Contestants had to submit a song and video that highlighted the value and importance of libraries. There were no restrictions on genre and songs were marked on creativity, originality, lyrics, melody, humour, and their regional or folkloric component. First, second and third places were awarded to entries from libraries in Serbia, Poland, and China.

District Libraries Manager Paula Eskett is delighted that funding from the New Zealand Libraries Partnership Programme (NZLPP) could be channelled into this fun and engaging promotional resource.

“We’ve licensed it with Creative Commons licence, which means other libraries are welcome to reuse, remix and revise what we made, into what they want for their communities.” Paula said.

“One of the visions for the NZLPP funding is to strengthen Aotearoa’s library sector and we think we’ve contributed to that vision in a fun, playful and accessible way. Our video will have subtitles added to it in the coming months, that reflect the most used migrant languages in our district.”

Executive Director of the Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (LIANZA) Ana Pickering said it was marvellous to see another New Zealand library shining on the world stage.

“It’s wonderful to see one of our libraries credited at this level overseas, and in such a creative way.”

She says the NPSIG Music Contest not only showcases the creative talents of librarians around the world, but also the changing role of libraries in the community.

“You might not think of librarians creating music videos but engaging in the digital world is a big part of what we do.”

Laura agrees. She says modern libraries are more than just spaces and points out that in Waimakariri, e-book loans have doubled in the last year.

“You may not be able to always physically visit, but we can still connect you to what you need.”

“We hope that our video makes people think about accessing their local library’s online services while in lockdown, and visiting when it’s safe to reopen."

Background information on Waimakariri Libraries’ performers: 

Customer Services Library Assistant Amy Hallmark used to be a drama teacher and now as a Library Assistant (4 years running) adores capturing the joy of a library in the form of a song. Amy came third in Story Box Library’s Storyteller of the Year Awards 2020.

Assistant Librarian Ben Eldridge has recently joined the team at Waimakariri Libraries. In 2014 he completed a degree in performance music, majoring in jazz guitar. Ben has been performing in bands for the past 22 years and occasionally plays in pit bands for musical theatre productions.

Community Experiences and Diversity Team Leader Laura Caygill has 13 years’ experience in public libraries in Ōtautahi, Tāmaki Makaurau, and Waimakariri. In her spare time, she reviews books for Radio New Zealand’s Nine to Noon and sings with Atlas Voices and the CSO Chorus in Ōtautahi.

Video credits: 

Song Written: Amy Hallmark, Ben Eldridge, and Laura Caygill

Guitars/ Piano/Wurlitzer/Rhodes/Percussion: Ben Eldridge

Drums: Jonty O’Connor

Vocals: Laura Caygill (lead vocals), Ben Eldridge, Amy Hallmark (rap vocals), Customer Services Library Assistant Ngaio Hughey-Cockerell, Assistant Librarian Donna McMillan

Audio Production: Alex Harmer

Video Filmed: Alex Harmer and Daniel Huisman

Video Edited: Daniel Huisman

Video Starring: Laura Caygill, Ben Eldridge, Amy Hallmark, Ngaio Hughey-Cockerell, Donna McMillan, Community Connections Co-ordinator Anna Paterson, Customer Services Library Assistant Linda Vaughan, Hazel the Waimakariri Libraries Reading Dog, Quinn Hallmark, Tess Hallmark, Lottie Sands, and Stella Cron.