What an awesome time those of us in Auckland - and via video conference in Christchurch - had on Friday afternoon at the 10 year celebration party for SLANZA. A big thank you to the organising team who did a fantiastic job of organising a really lovely event.

It was very special to have all the past presidents speak about their time in office and share their highlights. What a fantastic, enthusiastic bunch we are who make up the SLANZA family and this was very evident from the group who gathered together on Friday and of course listening to the reminiscences of all.

Watch out for a full report of the event, photos and what the speakers had to say in our upcoming edition of the SLANZA Collected magazine.

Good luck for the local celebrations that are still to happen in some of our regions.

Happy birthday SLANZA! Now - bring on the next 10!!

Senga White
SLANZA President

I’m thrilled to be able to announce that Fiona Mackie, Library Manager at St Cuthbert’s College in Auckland has been elected unopposed as the next President-Elect of SLANZA . No other nominations were received. So, congratulations to Fiona, who will become the next president of SLANZA at the 2011 AGM. Fiona is a professional, experienced and well respected librarian and SLANZA will be in good hands with her at the helm.

I wish her all the best as she takes on this challenge of National Executive for the next four years.

Senga

Nominations are now being sought for the position ofSLANZA President-Elect for the 2010-11 term of office. This person would become SLANZA President at our bi-annual conference in July 2011 till July 2013. Previous experience at National Executive level is considered desirable.

The SLANZA constitution requires the National Executive to call for nominations from our membership. Nominators and Nominees must be current members of SLANZA. As there are no current National Executive members able to take up this position, National Executive wish to nominate Fiona Mackie, Library Manager at St Cuthbert’s College, Auckland and she has consented to this nomination.

Nominations are to be made on the form attached and close with the Returning Officer, SLANZA, PO Box 631, Palmerston North 4440 at 5pm on Friday 22nd October 2010. These should also be emailed to slanza@xtra.co.nz.

Regards

Senga White
SLANZA President

Well, IASL conference was a fantastic experience! The venue was amazing, the speakers were diverse and interesting, it was well organised and it was great to be able to share the experience with so many New Zealanders.

This is Donna and myself enjoying the trade stands and superb morning tea on day 2 with Jane, Adaire and Joanna.

Having now attended my first international conference I have gained a new-found respect for all of our members who over the last 10 years have been involved in making our SLANZA conferences a reality. You are all awesome and should be very proud of your acheivements. They are truly world-class events and would stand up to anything being offered internationally. In some cases we would be leading the field. It was brought home to me again just how fortunate we are here in New Zealand with the calibre of people we have working in our school libraries.

Watch out for the article on the IASL conference which will appear in our next SLANZA Collected Magazine where there will be tidbits from everyone who attended - their highlights and must-do's.

This next picture is just for Gerri and Fiona!! You know how much I loved making this little "bunyip\avatar". I wonder if it sold at the auction table!!

Hope to see lots of you at the 10 year SLANZA celebration at the end of the month!!

Senga

SLANZA encourages and rewards excellence in school libraries, recognising the success and achievement of those working in and with school libraries, with a series ofawards.

SLANZA also offers study grants each year, to those working in school library teams. Each study grant will cover the cost of a paper, course or module (up to $550.00) offered by an approved library education provider. For more information about education providers, visit the SLANZA wiki.

The closing date for submitting study grant applications is Friday 22nd October 2010.
The closing date for nominations for SLANZA Awards will be notified shortly.

The Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday 29 October at the Auckland premises of the National Library of New Zealand, 8 Stanley Street, Parnell.
The meeting will begin at approximately 6.30pm, at the conclusion of SLANZA’s 10 Year celebrations being held at the same venue.

F M Gibbons
Administration Officer