Connected Librarians - free online professional development opportunity

We are delighted to announce that the new modules for professional development have been reworked onto a new learning platform and are ready to go. This online professional development is a wonderful way to upskill, gain confidence in digital technologies, connect with other librarians, and to challenge yourself and your library practices. Registrations will open next week and I’m hoping to see some Northland faces in the mix of applicants.

Do consider this opportunity of free online professional development that is so highly relevant and tailored for school librarians.

In 2013-2014 SLANZA offered our very successful Connected Librarians course to members. We are grateful to those who participated, for supporting SLANZA’s professional development and also for giving us feedback on ways we might improve what we do.

As part of a major review of the course - including participant’s feedback - we are very pleased to announce that each of the six topics that made up the original Connected Librarians course will now be offered as individual modules. We believe this will make our course even more accessible, by removing some of the barriers to participating, and offering the flexibility to better fit learners’ individual needs. 

The course modules are designed and fully facilitated by practising New Zealand school librarians, for school librarians. They are ideal for those library staff just starting out with online tools, who are ready and willing to try new things. 

Registration is free for SLANZA members. Class places are limited.

Registrations for module #1 - Professional Reading using RSS feeds and Feedly - will open on Tuesday June 2nd (week 7). Successful applicants will receive invitations to our learning community in Week 9, and the class itself runs in Weeks 10 and 11.

More information about Connected Librarians is available here, or you can contact me directly with any questions.

Miriam TuohyProfessional Development team leader

Creative Commons and a Curation session, plus AGM coming up this term

We have an exciting professional development opportunity lined up for you this term. A Saturday morning session on June 20^th at Kerikeri High School Library which will include two sessions: the Creative Commons Road Trip for New Zealand schools which aims to spread the word about Open Educational Resources – relevant for both librarians and teachers, followed by a presentation on Digital Tools for Dynamic and Efficient Curation for both classroom and library knowledge management. Importantly, our AGM will be included as well as a Northland committee meeting. All details on the flyer.

We are critically short on members for our SLANZA committee, please seriously consider getting involved. We meet approximately four times a year, usually after a SLANZA event, with just a little work in-between times. Members can be Skyped in to join the meetings if they can’t attend. Please, please think about how you can be involved.

You are welcome to print/share the PDF flyer, email me if you would like another copy of the flyer as a pdf, and promote amongst your school community.

Questions and RSVP to me please by June 10^th.

National Library information now in your schools

Just a quick note to let you know that the National Library have now mailed (hard copy) a letter and details about the Services to Schools transformation project to your school. Please ask your Principal if this letter has been received and can be shared with you.  The letter and accompanying document outlines the strategy and invites schools to apply to be part of the project.

“Input from schools in shaping the future design of services

We are looking for 15 schools to join with us in further shaping the services so that they become the best they can possibly be. We will select the 15 schools to ensure representation of schools of different sizes, deciles, type and location. This is an excellent opportunity for your school to take a leadership role in influencing the services so they best meet the needs of all schools.”

Cathy Kennedy

Communications

SLANZA National Executive