Otago tauira Jimmy Robinson and alumna Tāwini White are the friendly but firm voices behind the Robertson Library’s new closing time announcement.
Night owls may have noticed something a bit different in the Robertson Library at closing time recently.
The library is now playing a new and improved closing announcement at the end of the night – a bilingual recording featuring the voices of Otago tauira Jimmy Robinson and alumna Tāwini White, who has whakapapa to the hapū of Puketeraki and Ōtākou.
Associate University Librarian Shiobhan Smith says creating a closing announcement in English and te reo Māori is both timely and in line with their new library strategy, which seeks to make spaces more welcoming and accessible, and to enhance learning and teaching.
“For some time now, it had been noted that the closing voiceovers for our library spaces did not reflect these aims,” she says.
Jimmy Robinson, who is finishing a Bachelor of Commerce in Management with a minor in Music Technologies, credits being talkative in class to landing the role.
“One of my former lecturers reached out and said, 'I remember you having a nice voice, how would you like to record some voiceovers for the library’?' "
Jimmy recorded his part of the script with the aforementioned lecturer – School of Performing Arts Senior Teaching Fellow David Harrison – in a process he describes as being “shockingly straightforward and efficient”.
“I was expecting to spend at minimum an hour within the studio but thanks to David's preparedness and my ability to read we were both very happy with many of our first takes.
“I'm honoured and heart warmed to have been involved as the role is incredibly wholesome, and I hope will act as a starting point for voiceover or voice-acting gigs in the future.”
Former Otago tauira Tāwini White recorded the te reo Māori component. Tāwini has been part of other kaupapa at the University and has represented mana whenua on different occasions.
“It’s only right that we include te reo Māori in all areas and ensure that it’s a living language through every opportunity possible.” – Tāwini White
“I was approached to be the voice for this project as I had some experience in recording. I am also a speaker of the Kāi Tahu dialect and therefore it seemed fitting that we record these notices in the language of this whenua by someone from this region.”
With te reo Māori and its many dialects as the indigenous language of Aotearoa and Te Waipounamu, it’s important that it’s normalised, valued, visible and heard, Tāwini says.
“It’s only right that we include te reo Māori in all areas and ensure that it’s a living language through every opportunity possible.”
The closing announcement also features new music, currently from local artist Sylvie Harper. Each month, starting from October, David will select “chilled” music from a different local musician to showcase.
“Adding music creates a new and enjoyable way to signal to students that they have five minutes to go before the library closes,” Shiobhan says.
“We have also created a feature webpage for the artist so people who enjoy the music can learn more about the artist and how to follow them.”
The recording will be introduced into other libraries as technology allows, she says.
“At the moment we’re using the Robertson Library as a proof of concept, collecting feedback from our users, and learning how to work the software and develop processes for updating.”
* Keep up with the artist of the month here
– Kōrero by Internal Communications Adviser Laura Hewson