Lib Cafe: interactive learning and network day

On a sunny autumn morning at Dilworth School in Auckland over thirty SLANZA members took part in an awesome morning of discussion and debate. Back by popular demand, this was the second year that SLANZA Auckland has run a PD morning in this format.
The day started with a “Take a stand” topic (There is no point in covering books) with all participants invited to stand in a line between agreement and disagreement. Despite environmental concerns the consensus was that covering and reinforcing books was still a cost-effective process.
We then viewed half the ideas we had posted on a smackdown slideshow. Each person who had contributed a slide about a great idea a tip (about websites, displays, books etc.) shared their inspiration. 
We learnt about ways of connecting with staff, new resources on the Services to Schools website, websites for display inspiration, popular games to use in the library, finding inspiration for continuing professional development online, how to add extras into the Hell Reading challenge and much more.

The next session of the morning involved everyone splitting into four groups to discuss a number of topics led by committee members:
Table 1. Connecting with teachers led by Annie White
Table 2. Collaboration with public libraries led by Chris Taylor
Table 3. How to meet the needs of enquiry learning - when each child is doing a different topic led by Liz Hamilton
Table 4. Book clubs for kids who don’t read led by Anne Rolinson (in the absence of Pam Lilley who had to race away to support her family and greet a new grandchild).
By this time we were all in need of some more fresh coffee and morning tea, and amazed to see the wonderful spread - homemade scones, cheese, dips, nuts, cakes and sweets - laid out by Liz Hamilton.

The second half of the morning began with another ‘Take a stand’ topic (Promoting the library as a social/safe place interferes with our teaching and learning role) with most attendees reluctant to make such a black and white distinction about the role of the library. 
The remaining smackdown slideshow slides were discussed before we all split into four groups for  more topic discussion. This also included David Ackery from Waitakare college talking about the power of ideas to change people’s perception about the value of literacy.
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We are all indebted to Trish Webster and Michele Coombridge for planning such a successful event and Annie White for hosting us all in her library.

Corinne Hinton, King’s College