Chief Librarian appointed as new way of working starts

1 July 2025

The Alexander Turnbull Library has a new Chief Librarian. Only the second woman to hold the role, and the eighth Chief Librarian since 1920, Jessica Moran has been appointed as Chief Librarian and Director of the Library Collections Directorate.

Previously Acting Chief Librarian and, before that, Associate Chief Librarian Research Collections, Jessica is now part of a new joint leadership structure bringing the National Library Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa and Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa closer together.

This new way of working, led by National Librarian Te Pouhuaki Rachel Esson and Chief Archivist Poumanaaki Anahera Morehu, will support the institutions to improve the public’s access to services, resources and expertise across Library and Archives.

The independent functions of Archives New Zealand and the National Library will remain, as will the respective Acts they administer or work within. The statutory responsibilities of the Chief Archivist, the National Librarian, and Chief Librarian Alexander Turnbull Library remain unchanged.

“I am excited by the unparalleled opportunity to be Chief Librarian for the Turnbull and to be part of the new shared Archives Library New Zealand leadership,” says Jessica.

“With the opening of the new archival building and Heritage Campus in Wellington and its shared research services team, I’m looking forward to working with the teams to continue connecting our shared collections with New Zealanders.

“I’m committed to enhancing discovery and access to the Library’s and Archives New Zealand’s rich collections and continuing to build and preserve the Turnbull Library’s documentary heritage and taonga.”

Jessica’s career spans over 20 years in academic, government, and research libraries and archives in positions of progressive responsibility including 13 years with the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library. Since February 2024 she has been acting Chief Librarian where she has led the teams responsible for developing, maintaining, and providing access to the Library’s documentary heritage and taonga and been responsible for developing the research collections and services of the Alexander Turnbull Library.

“I’m delighted to have appointed Jessica to the role of Chief Librarian Director of Library Collections,” says Rachel Esson, National Librarian Te Pouhuaki.
“She brings a clear vision and a strong record of accomplishment in leading library programmes.”

The Chief Librarian Director Library Collections is responsible for the care, development and access of nationally significant research collections and plays a key role in delivering the National Library’s legislative responsibilities.

The Chief Librarian is a statutory role and exercises the functions and powers delegated under the National Library Act 2003. The Chief Librarian Director Library Collections manages the National Library and Alexander Turnbull Library collections, including access, preservation, metadata, and research services.
Staff will begin to move into the new Aitken Street building from July 2025. Holdings from Archives New Zealand currently located at 10 Mulgrave Street in Wellington will also be transferred to the new archival building from July 2025. It is estimated the move of holdings will continue until the end of 2026.
The building will open to the public by early 2026.

For more on Jessica’s appointment and the new way of working, please visit www.natlib.govt.nz

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