Values
Matheson Library Values
- 1. Accessibility: We believe in providing unrestricted and equitable access to information for all, removing barriers to resources and services to ensure that every community member can benefit from our offerings.
- 2. Integrity: We conduct ourselves with the highest ethical standards, ensuring transparency, honesty, and accountability in our interactions and operations. We respect intellectual property rights and advocate for privacy and confidentiality in the use of library resources.
- 3. Respect for Diversity: We embrace and celebrate the diversity of our community, recognizing the richness that different perspectives bring to our library. We strive to create an inclusive environment where all individuals feel valued and respected.
- 4. Lifelong Learning: We support and promote continuous learning and intellectual exploration for people of all ages. We believe in nurturing curiosity and encouraging the pursuit of knowledge at every stage of life.
- 5. Innovation: We are committed to embracing change and leveraging technology to enhance library services and user experiences. We encourage creativity and forward-thinking to meet the evolving needs of our community.
- 6. Excellence in Service: We strive to deliver the highest quality services, continually improving and adapting our offerings to meet and exceed the expectations of our users.
Library History
The library was set up in a makeshift tent where the new Forestry building is now, next to a canteen for Business studies students. The canteen attracted staff and students to stop by the tent to read daily. Mrs Wendy Wilson was the librarian in charge and Mr. George Kivia was her assistant. Mr. Kivia was the 1st national staff to work in this library.
Both staff would bring books and magazines out every day to the tent and pack them again for the next day. It rained a lot here and wet days were quite difficult to work, but the librarian was quite creative and found interesting ways to make library work exciting.
Later in the year, the Sandover building complex was completed and on July 11th 1969, was officially opened by the Governor General who also declared the opening of the Institute to Papua New Guinea Institute of Technology at the same time. The library was then moved to the Sandover building. In November 1972, stage 1 of the current library building was completed and was officially opened by the Chief Minister then, Honorable Michael Thomas Somare. In August 1973, the institute was renamed the Papua New Guinea University of Technology.
On December 14th 1975, the current library was officially opened by Dr. Louis Matheson and named in honor of himself. The 2nd stage of the library was completed in September 1977 and shelves were built on the first floor in late October into November of the same year.
The highlight of the national staff career (late Mr George Kivia) had been the transition of the Institution from an Institute to a University and the students he had assisted who now hold responsible positions and impact greatly in their workplace in the country and overseas.
Institute of Higher Technical Education, the name and status was changed to PNG University of Technology.
On August 9, 1993, Library Staff Since Establishment. 1967 – 3 staff, 2 expatriates and 1 national Number of staff Increased from 3 – 10 – 20 – 25 – 30- 42. 30% were expatriates from 1980 to 1990. From 1990 – 2000, 5% were expatriates. Number of staff decreased to 21. 2000 - fully localized.
See Full story edited by Percy Roary.