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

Book Protection Products Conference Grant expressions of interest

SLANZA Te Tai Tokerau are offering members the opportunity to attend the 2015 SLANZA Conference, From the Ground Up, in Christchurch at St Andrew’s College, 28-30 September, during the school holidays.

The SLANZA Conference is the ultimate opportunity for Professional Development for school librarians. Bedazzled in choice with three days of speakers, sessions and workshops, you will be inundated with new ideas and fresh approaches for your school library as well as professionally for yourself. Around two hundred librarians are expected at the Conference so you will be surrounded by a community of like-minded people for discussions and this type of networking proves extremely valuable. Attending a SLANZA Conference is a wonderful experience that I can’t recommend highly enough. This is the first time Christchurch has hosted the Conference since the earthquake so it is extra-special supporting them. In addition, we have been offered affordable accommodation at St Andrew’s College’s new Hostel.

For many years SLANZA has been fortunate to have received sponsorship from Book Protection Products. Even though the business is under new management, they have willingly supported SLANZA again this year with their generous sponsorship. SLANZA National Executive has decided that these funds should be tagged specifically for assisting members to attend Conference.

Therefore, on behalf of SLANZA Te Tai Tokerau I am delighted to ask for expressions of interest in receiving a Book Protection Product Conference Grant. Members who have not received SLANZA Conference grant money previously may apply for this funding. In addition, members need to be willing to share their Conference experience back to the region at a SLANZA event and to submit an article in to the Conference issue of Collected.

Please apply in writing outlining your interest in attending, and the benefits you foresee for yourself professionally and for your school. Applications must be in to Julia Smith by Wednesday, May 13, 2015, Week 4 of term. 

From the President of SLANZA - Re: National Library Services to Schools Transformation Programme

The School Library Association of NZ Aotearoa National Executive is pleased that our concerns and the concerns of many people across the education sector, have been noted and that the implementation of the Services to Schools Transformation has been adjusted to allow schools time to adapt to the new service (click here for the information released today from the National Library).

The School Library Association is glad that our lobbying and the lobbying of our members, has resulted in the implementation of the new service provisions being slowed to allow for a more well thought out transition.  More importantly, the aspects of access to curriculum services have been addressed and this service will continue until the end of 2015.  

It heartens us to know that our concerns were listened to, and that a small organisation was able to make a difference within the massive wheels of government.  We are delighted on behalf of our members and also on behalf of the students and teachers who were so affected by the pace of these changes.

We would like to thank all the individuals who supported us, who supported the cause and who gave of their time and energy to send a clear message to the National Library about the effects of the changes.  We look forward to working with the National Library and being involved with the discussion about the implementation of the National Strategic School Library Framework, being involved in the research opportunities and the Professional Learning Networks.

Rest assured, your SLANZA National Executive will continue to work on your behalf and ensure that the voice of school libraries from all over the country are heard.

Bridget Schaumann

President

School Library Association of New Zealand Aotearoa

SLANZA National Executive Meeting: 28 & 29 March

As you will already know from our communication regarding the meeting with the National Library, the SLANZA National Executive met last weekend and below is a summary of some of the areas of discussion. These are not full minutes but rather some of the discussion points to keep you up-to-date with the work being done on your behalf by the National Executive. 

Membership 

Our membership numbers remain strong with an increase to date compared with last year of new and renewed memberships.  The regions are all working hard to increase members as there is power in numbers – the greater the number of fully paid up members means the more work SLANZA can do to support libraries and student outcomes.  Talk to the people in your own personal learning networks and encourage them to consider a SLANZA membership. 

National Executive Meetings: Online or Face-to- Face 

Last year the NE trialled an online meeting using Google hangouts and although this can come with technical issues, it was still a useful and productive way to hold a meeting.  Because face-to-face meetings can be costly (flights and accommodation), it was decided that NE would hold just two face-to-face meetings in 2015 and the third meeting would be online (July).  We hope this will mean that the work of the Executive can be done but in a more cost effective way, enabling us to channel funds directly into projects for our members. 

Book Protection Products 

We are pleased to announce that once again Book Protection Products have agreed to sponsor SLANZA professional development in 2015 for $5000.  BPP have done this for many years and SLANZA values and appreciates this ongoing support that they offer our members and school libraries.  As the upcoming conference is our major professional development for 2015, it was decided to use these funds to sponsor members from all the regions to attend conference.  We are very aware that in many cases schools will not fund library staff to attend conference and we hope to make conference accessible to some of these members.  Watch for more information from your region on how you can apply for this sponsorship money to attend conference. 

Ministry of Education and the Future of School Libraries 

Karen Clarke shared a summary of her research into recent Ministry of Education documents and their position on school libraries.  SLANZA is staying well informed with the MOE directions and ensures that we not only advocate for the school library and librarian, but also align our directions with current education thinking.  If you are interested in knowing more in this area, below are some links where you might like to begin some reading. 

Future Focused Learning Report  
Digital Hubs in Schools  
Modern Learning Environments  

National Library and the Services to Schools Transformation Programme 

The outcome and information of this discussion has already been covered in an earlier communication.  If you haven’t received this please click here.  

  

Collected Magazine 

The next issue of Collected is due for publication early next term.  The theme will focus on reading and submissions for this issue will close on April 2^nd.  Articles on topics other than reading are also welcome and please don’t be shy about writing an article for Collected – we know there are some great things happening in school libraries all over the country and Collected is one way we can share and celebrate the work being done. 

As members of SLANZA you will be the first to receive your copy of Collected via an email link.  It is important that we show how much we value your membership and Collected will be available for general release a few weeks later.

Finance and Treasurer’s Report 

The financial report was presented and we are currently on budget for the 2015 financial year.  We have received some income from downloads of full text articles from Collected and $700 from the Open Polytechnic for an article submitted by Karen Clarke and Bridget Schaumann who have kindly donated this income back to SLANZA.  The National Executive are also considering a variety of other avenues for income which we hope will support initiatives such as Collected and our online professional development so these initiatives can continue to be free of charge to members. 
 

Conference: From the Ground Up: Growing Libraries for the Future 

The conference is shaping up well and we look forward to this event in September.  For current information regarding conference, click here. 

Conference 2017 

The National Executive had a lengthy discussion about the future conference in 2017 and the possibilities of alternative ways of providing professional development.  Conferences are expensive, time consuming for our regional volunteers and a major undertaking for a small organisation.  Because the future of a national conference and the possible alternatives is a major change for our organization, we intend to ask you, our members about how we can best provide professional development.  After our conference later this year we will survey our membership and ask for your feedback before we move forward on this issue. 

President, Immediate Past President and President Elect

Miriam Tuohy is currently our President Elect and will take over from Bridget Schaumann in July (the end of Bridget’s two year term.)  Because the AGM will not be held until the conference in September, this will be a ‘soft’ handover in July and the reins will pass over officially at the AGM in September.  A new President Elect will be confirmed at the AGM – watch for more information on nominations for this position. 

Online Professional Development 

Our very successful (and free to members) online professional development is about to get underway again.  The format for this will change slightly.  Rather than enrolling for all modules as a package, members will be able to just select individual modules to complete.  We will let you know when enrolments open as NE are currently looking at offering this via a new learning platform in order to improve and streamline this service.  

SLANZA Google+ Community 

SLANZA is about to launch a Google+ community where members can “share resources and to join in discussions relating to the practical day-to-day running of a school library.  We hope that members will share their knowledge and skills with each other and provide encouragement and help to those with questions.”   

This community will launch in the beginning of Term 2 where your request to join will be processed if you are a member of SLANZA.  If you don’t currently belong to Google+, make it your holiday task to set up your Google+ account.  If you are new to Google+ or Google products, click here for some helpful guidance. 

Thanks everyone and congratulations for making it to the end of this very long update on the work of your National Executive team.  As you can see by the scale of issues covered over the weekend, we are working hard on behalf of you all but also value hearing from you.  Please don’t hesitate to contact your regional representative with any issues or concerns that SLANZA may be able to assist you with. 

Cathy Kennedy 

National Executive Communications 

Changes to National Library Services to Schools and the Curriculum Service

This weekend the SLANZA National Executive met with Geraldine Howell and Mark Stanley from the National Library.  Geraldine is Director Literacy, Learning and Public Programmes and Mark is the project manager for the implementation of the Services to Schools Transformation Programme (SSTP). 

Firstly, thank you to everyone who attended meetings in their local regions, wrote their concerns to their SLANZA representatives by email, wrote letters and generated news reports regarding our concerns to the change in service.  Throughout the country, 20 meetings were held by SLANZA to discuss this issue and were attended by 217 SLANZA members.

The National Executive collated all your feedback from the regional meetings and correspondence.   From this we created a list of major questions regarding the changes to the Services for Schools and the implementation of the SSTP.  Geraldine and Mark were able to give us some clear answers and assurances to some of our questions and we are waiting on Geraldine’s written replies to these which we will then share with you, along with a summary of the verbal replies from the meeting. 

Many of the questions however, could not be answered at this time as some of the decisions made around the proposed programme have implications for National Library staff who must be (quite rightly) informed first.  To this end, we are told that a major announcement and information pack will be sent to Principals on Thursday from the National Library, both by surface and electronic mail.  Please make sure you ask your Principal to share this information pack with you and your teachers.  This pack will outline the proposed plan and service offer for the remainder of the year and the coming years from the National Library Services to Schools.  Geraldine assured the National Executive that our concerns have been listened to and expected we would see this reflected in this service offer on Thursday. 

The SLANZA National Executive also eagerly await this information pack on Thursday and the service provision it will outline. Once we have had time to read and discuss this document, we will send you further comment. 

Thank you again from the SLANZA National Executive and regional committees for your continued concern and commitment in ensuring we have services that continue to support our students and their learning outcomes.  

Quick Online Feedback Form on National Library Changes

The SLANZA executive is aware that not everyone was able to attend the meetings held around the regions to discuss the changes to the National Library’s Services to Schools. So we have created a quick, online feedback form to get your opinion. We will use this information to inform our discussions when we meet with the National Library team at the end of March.  Please give us your feedback so we can pass on your concerns.

Collected Magazine Submissions

It would be wonderful to have some Northland content in the Collected magazine. Please seriously consider contributing – we all gain so much from reading it and that only happens from other librarian’s contributions. This edition is about daily Library life - sharing strategies for supporting reading and library articles of general interest or advice to other librarians. Or it could be simply about something you have done that others may find of use or interest.

Welcome back to 2015. Collected is calling for submissions for our  next issue, #15. The theme is Reading/ Library Life and we would welcome any relevant articles.  

We also welcome reviews and any other articles on related matters. We would also encourage you to write about events of interest in your region. Don’t just assume that someone else will write it. You may also think it may hold little interest for others but our readership likes to hear what other regions do at meetings, PD sessions and social events.

The closing date for submissions is  Thursday the 2^nd of April  If you have any questions about articles please don’t hesitate to  drop me an e-mail at this address slanzacollected@gmail.com

Guidelines for submissions can be found on the SLANZA website ( slanza.org.nz ) under the Resources tab, under Collected

Looking forward to hearing from you all

Greig Daniels

Editor, Collected

SLANZA Meeting Notes – Term 1, 2015

 Agenda - National Library Services to Schools Changes

List of Northland's concerns with Garth, Dee & Alyson

Whangarei Boys High School Library - Wednesday February 25 

Meeting opened at 3:45pm.  

Present:

Dee Brooker	Whangarei Boys High School
Jane Woods	Pompallier Catholic College
Alyson Gates	Kamo High School
Catherine Pilkington	Otamatea High School
Trudy Norrish	Kamo Intermediate
Sonya Prchal	Morningside School
Garth Rodda	Whangarei Intermediate
Julia Smith	Kerikeri High School

Apologies: Lisa Salter, Dargaville Libraries; Carol Crowley, Tikipnga High School 

We acknowledged that these changes prove a conflict of interest for our terrific National Library Advisor Jeannie Skinner, who was unable to attend the meeting.  

A member of the National Library Leadership team, Geraldine Howell, Director, Literacy, Learning and Public Programmes along with Elizabeth Jones, were invited to attend our Northland meeting but the invitation was declined due to a clash of dates. 

  

This meeting was essential to allow members to voice their concerns and openly discuss the changes proposed. Although we felt this was a fait accompli, we all volunteered opinions and talked freely on how these changes would affect us. It was a learning experience for us all to hear how other members viewed the changes. We were unanimously concerned at National Library's proposed transformation to services. 

We congratulated ourselves that Northland schools had borrowed 29,595 books in 2014, and wondered how that data may change this year. Then, as repercussions of the new services take effect, we discussed the probable drop in usage in 2016. Those present predominantly represented Intermediate and High Schools that had no need, inclination, or space for more fiction and high-interest non-fiction. Therefore we were greatly concerned that the decline in uptake of National Library books from 2016 onwards may be interpreted that the service is no longer required, that books are no longer required. Would this decline in usage be evidence towards the dissolution of school libraries?  

Members also voiced their concern that this was just the beginning of National Library changes; they feared what would come next for school libraries.

Other concerns discussed in detail, listed:

·         Lack of library budget means reliance on NLNZ books

·         Already buying fiction and high-interest non-fiction

·         Lack of consultation

·         Connectivity issues

·         Disparity

·         Timeliness of announcement – second to last week of school

·         Suitability and quality of books chosen for your school

·         Quantity of books insufficient

·         Logistics of handling books

·         Public Libraries providing books

  

Quote of the day: National Library New Zealand is the envy of the world, why would they want to damage that reputation? (apologies, Jane or Catherine, please confirm who said this) 

Thanks to Dee Brooker who asked teaching staff to submit written comments on their usage of National Library resources, these collectively reflect the teachers' dismay at the upcoming changes. I will take these to the National Executive meeting later this month.  

We thanked Garth Rodda for his re-worked letter against the National Library changes , (original by Bridget Schaumann) which three Northland members I know of used to gather support and signatures from staff. 

Meeting closed about 5:00pm