Supporting Maori learners in the library workshop

16/6/2015

On Saturday 6th June 30 members and other interested people met at Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate to hear two writers who are actively writing for Maori and Pasifika children, and to share ideas for making our libraries more welcoming and comfortable for our Maori students in particular.

Bevis Hanson writes his scary stories for all ages, but particularly young children. He started telling stories to the young children who came into his Otara Public Library because there were few books that grabbed their attention. He shared some of his stories with us, amazing to see a room full of librarians enjoying a picture book told with drama and excitement! And the free books were great too.

Bevis reads us a story

David Riley shared the story of how he came to write books for boys who don't like to read. The first book he wrote was about Niuean heroes ('We are the rock') in response to his students' need for information about Niuean people who have overcome adversity. David teaches at Tangaroa College in Mangere so he has great insight into what students want, in particular Maori and Pasifika boys who enjoy the colourful biographies he has written on Benji Marshall, Sonny Bill Williams, Steve Adams, and his latest book is called 'Samoan heroes'.
You can follow David on his Reading Warrior website

Giving away books was very popular

David Riley shares his journey to being a writer of popular biographies for reluctant readers

We were then privileged to hear Pam Lilley, Library Manager at Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate. She presented the research she has done on changing her library to make it more inclusive for her Maori students. Also present was Whaea Rowena, who added valuable insights into the needs of Maori students.
Pam offered some suggestions for becoming more inclusive, including

share yourself with your students, and show that you care
greeting and welcoming them, use their name if possible
having an open door policy
be interested in your students well being
modelling warm, trusting and reciprocal relationship
have a separate Maori language collection to highlight the resources you have and to give it importance - this identifies your Maori body of knowledge and affirms their place. Create a comfortable space around it, a ‘learning nest’, perhaps with a couch or other comfortable seating.