Shining our spotlight on our Pacific People that work for our Pacific environment is this Q and A series from your Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
This week we introduce you to Ms Miraneta Williams-Hazelman, the Knowledge Manager of SPREP. Leading Knowledge Management at SPREP, her work involves connecting our users – our SPREP Members, partners, stakeholders and our staff - to the right information needed in their everyday work.
The new SPREP virtual library platform is now accessible to all at https://library.sprep.org/ it has grown from a library of 2,000 reports and five journals when SPREP started to its current state of over 40,000 records with 7,000 in full text. The new SPREP virtual library platform was launched on 16 June this year, as part of the 28th anniversary celebrations of the signing of the SPREP Treaty.
The knowledge resources in SPREP are efficiently organised and managed to help ensure swift responses to requests for information by our Members, partners, stakeholders and our staff.
Q. Could you let us know about your work?
“Part of my work at SPREP is looking at avenues for staff to share knowledge, lessons learned, experiences and encourage everyone to learn from one another. Knowledge is power, but shared knowledge is much more powerful as it enables those, we share it with, to achieve much more.
“Our Information Resource Centre and Archives is not only a library but a knowledge and learning hub. Instead of a traditional library where silence is of paramount importance, we have it now as an open space where staff congregate to read the latest news, meet, collaborate, and share ideas as well as knowledge and experiences with other colleagues.”
Q. Tell us about one (or several) activities you have done with our Pacific Members?
“When I was involved with the Pacific Environment Information Network (PEIN) project in the early 2000s, part of my work then was assisting in the establishment of small libraries within Environment departments in 14 Pacific Island countries. Most of these environment libraries or information centres did not have proper ways of organising their information let alone storing them.
“The PEIN project enabled me to assist these 14 countries through the procurement of necessary IT equipment, hardware, software and setting up library databases to help organise and store their valuable information.
“I provided in-country training on creating basic library databases, library systems development as well as information and knowledge management skills. It helped these countries managed their environmental information in a more organised and systematic way.”
Q. What is the biggest challenge in your role and how do you overcome it?
“The biggest challenge in my role is when we don’t have the exact information that our clients want at the right time due to various reasons. The internet as we all know is a virtual treasure trove of information however, not all information available online is factual and accurate and therefore our role as information specialists is sifting through the haystack to find the correct information. There is also peer reviewed information that are not readily available anywhere online and others sitting behind paywalls or restricted access.
“I firmly believe in open and free access to information and so I always tend to find a way to obtain the requested information. One of the ways that I’ve worked to overcome this problem is by expanding our library network and joining relevant community of practice in the region and internationally. Hence, when I face with this challenge, I always revert to our established network for their assistance. We always try and reciprocate the same favour whenever the need arises.”
Q. What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
“You can do it!”
Q. What tip do you think we should all know to help protect our environment?
“Turn it off!!
“Whether it’s a tap while washing dishes or the TV when you leave the room, if you aren’t using something turn it off. Doing so will save a lot of water, energy and it will lower your bills too!” 😊
SPREP’s Knowledge Management Unit hold a unique collection of publications, periodicals, scientific and technical reports prepared by SPREP, our Members, stakeholders and partners. This vast assembly of environmental information is available to SPREP staff, Member countries and territories, and members of the public through the virtual library catalogue or by visiting the campus at Vailima.
The development of the Virtual Library started in October 2020, with the successful completion in March 2021. It was made possible through financial support from the Global Climate Change Alliance Plus (GCCA+) Scaling Up Pacific Adaptation (SUPA) project, along with technical support by the SPREP Information Technology Team.Please visit the SPREP Virtual Library at https://library.sprep.org/.
To get in touch with our Knowledge Management Team please email [email protected] and to contact Miraneta please email [email protected].