Region representatives met virtually for the first
time this weekend on Google Hangouts.
This involved members having access to suitable technology and
broadband. Most found it better than
expected but some members had difficulty with their devices or internet
connection causing intermittent sound or video disruption. This did not stop us from getting through the
agenda while working from home. The
success of this trial means in future we will replace one face to face meeting
each year saving money and wear and tear on NE members.
Our discussion about communication to members was
significant as this was our current communication leader Lisa Salter’s last
meeting. Cathy Kennedy, member for Aoraki has volunteered to fill
this position and we are confident in her ability to engage with our
members.
Greig Daniels took over as editor of Collected magazine at the last meeting
and his first issue will be out very soon.
In a discussion around what our members get with their membership money
it was decided to investigate sharing the magazine with members only in the
first instance, with public access after a period of time. More news about this idea will be sent to
members once investigated fully.
The NE is pleased with our
progress in developing external partnerships with other library focus
organisations. For the first time ever
SLANZA members have been offered LIANZA member rates to their 2014 conference
in Auckland. At this stage staff from 25
school libraries have registered to attend. We are currently working on
updating our Memorandum of Understanding with LIANZA and we have been offered
space at their conference stand. We are
working with the Association of Public Library Managers (APLM), currently
focused on a Summer Reading initiative.
We have accepted an invitation to join APLM in a national Digital
Literacy working party.
Karen Clarke presented a financial report and to date
we are working to budget. While we have goals of raising membership to increase
funds, most regions report that it is difficult to get information about
library staffing in schools. There is
also a general feeling that there are less school library staff overall as schools are changing the way they staff their
libraries, particularly in the primary sector.
SLANZA is committed to
repeating our successful reading survey this year and hope to gather and
present the information earlier in Term 4 this year. It will be good to see this year’s lists of
most popular books, authors and series in New Zealand schools. It may feed into your buying plan for next
year or make it in your school newsletter as advice for Christmas gift
purchases.
Cathy Kennedy reported that
the 2015 conference committee is well into the planning of next September’s
event. The committee had a brain storming session to balance
the different types of speakers and workshops, so that there is something for
everyone, at every level of library staff.
We are all looking forward to another successful SLANZA conference.
The virtual meeting was a success and feedback will give us
the opportunity to improve on the concept over time. I for one really enjoyed it, it saved me a
weekend away from home, the stress of travel and while I was engaged in the
meeting I also got my ironing done.
Lisa Salter
Communications Leader (outgoing)
No comments:
Post a Comment