Term 1 Meetings - National Library Changes

I hope by now you have had time to catch up with all the changes that National Library is implementing. I appreciate it is a crazy time of the year, but honestly, this is HUGE for us all. It will impact negatively on our school libraries, our schools and our students learning.

Please find time to read National Library's Services to Schools changes - Transformation Programme: Questions and Answers and SLANZA National Executive's response in an Open Letter to the National Library.

SLANZA President Bridget Schaumann has been writing letters to Ministers of Parliament, PPTA, NZEI, LIANZA, New Zealand Principal's Federation and half a dozen others. Feedback received has been strongly adverse to National Library's changes. ActionStation have taken up a petition supporting our cause and have just under 2,500 signatures already - please add yours. We even have Eleanor Catton, Elizabeth Knox and Lorde backing us!

Although the transformation programme has been signed off by the Minister of Education and the Department of Internal Affairs we hope, with enough of a groundswell of opposition, they may just possibly review their decision.

Next step from SLANZA is initiating regional meetings where our members can discuss their concerns and questions they would like to direct to National Library. I will collate these and take them to our next National Executive meeting in Wellington at the end of March where we will be meeting with the President and Vice-President of National Library.

I have three meetings planned:

Kaitaia Primary School Library - Monday 23 February, 3:30pm

Whangarei Boys High School Library - Wednesday 25 February, 3:30pm

Kerikeri High School Library - Thursday 26 February, 3:30pm

We need your voice. As a member of SLANZA Te Tai Tokerau our membership incorporates a diverse rural perspective with concerns and questions different to other regions. It is important to have your say, to hear others views, and we will discuss strategies to cope with the changes.

  

Please RSVP to me so I know numbers who wish to attend.