Accessit has hired Chelsea Hillier as its first Product Manager. This is a significant next step as the company continues to support schools in New Zealand, as well as grow services globally. Here she talks about the role, the future of library software and the challenges ahead.
Could you start by explaining your new role?
My role is to ensure delivering measurable value to schools. While developers write the code and designers create the user experience, I’ll focus on deeply understanding what librarians and educators need to deliver learning outcomes, then work with our teams to turn those needs into features to help our customers thrive.
Accessit’s library software is used by schools around the world. How do you ensure it’s truly meeting the needs of modern school libraries?
Collaboration is at the heart of how we work. We regularly meet with school leadership teams, librarians, teachers, and IT managers through focus groups, interviews, and on-site visits to understand how technology can better support curriculum goals. I particularly love the face-to-face visits with schools – it’s one of my favourite parts of the job!
Libraries are evolving rapidly in the digital age. How do you ensure Accessit keeps pace with these changes?
We stay closely connected to the library community through deep collaboration with our customers as well as engaging in global industry events to understand emerging trends in education and library industries. Being connected with tech leaders around the world we’re seeing how amazingly fast products are evolving.
At Accessit, we see the role of school libraries expanding beyond traditional book lending and becoming dynamic learning hubs and a connection point for modern curriculum development. Our focus is on ensuring our software supports this evolution while maintaining the reliable core functionality our users depend on.
School libraries serve a variety of ages and learning styles. What are some of the challenges you face in balancing diverse user needs while keeping the software accessible for everyone?
The biggest is striking the right balance between powerful features for experienced librarians and simplicity for new users and students. We aim to make the core functions intuitive while allowing users to progressively discover more advanced capabilities as they need them. We also put significant effort into making our interface work well and accessible for everyone – from Year 1 students looking for picture books to Year 13s doing research.
Finally, let’s indulge in a bit of future-gazing. What would the future of Accessit library look like if you had a magic wand?
If I did, Accessit would transform how schools value their libraries – from a place that houses books to being the digital heart of learning. Imagine a future where librarians, teachers and students work together seamlessly to create rich learning experiences, where finding and using resources is effortless, where every student can discover their next perfect book and where modern library technology is central to curriculum delivery to reduce teachers’ cognitive load.
Most importantly, it would help New Zealand schools showcase the incredible impact their libraries have on student achievement, not just literacy. The future of school libraries isn’t just about managing resources, it’s about igniting a love of learning and supporting student success across the curriculum.
Thank you and good luck in your new role.
INTERFACE March 2025