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SLANZA National Executive are thrilled to let you know that Book Protection Products have joined us again in 2020 as our major sponsor. We are so thankful for their loyalty to us and without them we could not offer the regional PD that we do. National Executive send out the sponsorship money they give us to each region. The regions then use that to provide you with all the fantastic professional development that your local SLANZA committee organise for you. Book Protection have continued to support us and for that we are so thankful, because it is making us better practitioners, more informed and professional as librarians. Their loyalty to us, requires our loyalty back. The best way we can say thank you is to use this company as the suppliers for your library needs. Find out more about their products here: https://bookcover.co.nz/ 
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SLANZA National Executive wish to reassure our members that we are committed to and have been in discussions with NZEI Te Riu Roa regarding Support Staff Pay Equity progress. Some of you may recall from our communiques that we gathered a comprehensive database of skills, roles and responsibilities from a Pay Equity Professional Development course run in 2018, that was shared with NZEI to assist our cause. Later that year at our NE meeting in Wellington, we invited two NZEI Pay Equity lawyers as well as two regional union representatives to inform us of the process of the Pay Equity claims and what we were to expect. We learnt that achieving pay equity with similar non-female dominant professions would not be a quick or simple task, as we have witnessed with the Teacher Aide negotiations, which took four years. We also learnt that the Teacher Aide pay equity claim was progressed first by NZEI as they were the largest group of support staff and were some of the lowest-paid. Discussions with NZEI have been ongoing and union members would have continued to receive updates throughout the negotiations to inform us of the pay equity process and progress. NZEI is currently working on progressing other support staff role pay equity claims including school librarians and library assistants. They hope that the time and resources used, as well as what they learnt and what they won, may expedite the other support staff claims. Next up is the Administration Staff, and our own claim follows that. We wish to state that NE have felt understood and well supported as a profession with the work NZEI are undertaking on our behalf. We want to ensure that our members are aware of how hard people are working for them. Joining the NZEI, is a show of understanding, appreciation and support for the mahi being done on our behalf, and the bigger the membership, the stronger the voice. SLANZA National Executive are delighted for our Teacher Aide work colleagues. Their win is another step closer to our own successful Pay Equity process. As we await our turn, we ask our members to show kindness and solidarity to our fellow workers. NZEI offer this advice to our members:
Julia Julia Smith BAppSci (LIS) Librarian Kerikeri High School SLANZA National Executive Communications SLANZA National Executive rep for Te Tai Tokerau Kia ora SLANZA members,
We are delighted to make the SLANZA Study Grant available to our members in 2020. This year SLANZA is offering two grants to support members enrolling for study to be put towards fees for papers leading to a Library and Information qualification. Successful applicants are reimbursed for the cost of one paper, course or module (up to $600) offered by an approved Library education provider. Information is available on the SLANZA website. Applications close on Friday 3rd July 2020 Conditions of application: Applicants must have been SLANZA members for at least one year at the time of applying and be current financial members. Applicants are to be supported by a covering letter from the School Principal. Applicants must give the name and contact details of one referee. Applicants should state in writing: o the potential benefits of undertaking this professional development, o how it will contribute to your role as part of the library team, o your relevant library experiences, o whether you have completed any other papers. Applications are to be sent to the SLANZA Study Grants Committee, C/O admin@slanza.org.nz See the SLANZA website for an application form and a list of approved Library education providers. Successful applicants will be advised after Friday 24th July 2020. Ngā mihi nui Maree Silver-Hessey Convenor, SLANZA Study Grants Committee COVID-19 and beyond.The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the reliance of New Zealanders on the Internet for work and study, information, and social interaction. It has also brought the need for digital inclusion into sharper focus and increased the urgency for action in this area. Too many New Zealanders are excluded from the digital world.
The Government has laid out its vision for digital inclusion in New Zealand and taken some steps towards realising that vision. Now is the time to step up our efforts, not just as part of our national response to COVID-19, but also as a foundation for future success all round. In this changing world, digital inclusion will be a key foundation for economic productivity and growth, wellbeing and sustainability. We believe the actions taken by the Government, industry, and NGOs during the pandemic to get more New Zealanders online can be catalysed into ongoing action. As a country, we especially need to focus on groups in society that need different kinds of support, including Māori, Pasifika, older people, people with disabilities, those on lower incomes, rural users, and the homeless. We, the undersigned, call on Government to implement this five point plan for digital inclusion, and pledge our support in achieving these goals. 1. Affordable connectivity What: government support to make connectivity affordable and accessible for New Zealanders on low incomes and who have recently become unemployed. We need to think beyond the shorter term fixes generously offered by providers. Solutions might include subsidies, options that work for renters, and providing connectivity as standard in public housing. Who: MBIE and MSD, with involvement from Kāinga Ora, should lead this work across government, and coordinate funding for organisations doing the work in the community. 2. Getting devices to people who can’t afford them What: making devices available to low income New Zealanders at low (or no) cost. Efforts are underway to get devices (and connectivity) to school age children, but there are many New Zealanders in other age groups who can’t afford devices appropriate to their needs. Solutions might include bulk purchasing, grant funding (without unnecessary contestability), or support for existing refurbishment programmes. Accessibility barriers need to be addressed. Who: MSD and the Government Chief Digital Office at the DIA should lead this work across government, and coordinate funding for organisations doing the work in the community. 3. Wrap around support for the newly connected What: government funding for organisations providing support to get online and help with digital skills, motivation and trust. Many New Zealanders receiving connectivity and devices for the first time will need help getting connected and using these new digital tools. Options might include increased funding for organisations already active in the community to meet immediate demand, and a networked model to reach more people in the longer term. Who: DIA should lead this work across government, and coordinate funding for organisations doing the work in the community. 4. Digital skills for displaced workers and our small businesses What: government funded digital skills training and other support to help people find new jobs and make our businesses (including NGOs) more sustainable and resilient. The economic impacts of COVID-19 will require a number of New Zealanders to look for new employment. Our businesses will be thinking more about opportunities in the online world. Options might include support packages to help businesses get online, and government funded skills training to support job seekers and provide new career options. Who: MOE, TEC and MBIE should lead this work across government, and coordinate funding for organisations doing the work in the community. Economic development agencies should be involved on the business uptake side. 5. Longer term Internet resilience What: “Shovel ready” investment in our telecommunications infrastructure, to provide future resilience and create employment. Government and industry investments have produced assets that have proven to be immensely valuable in the COVID-19 crisis. But gaps in coverage and performance remain. Options include another phase of the fibre roll out, investment in mobile coverage in rural areas, subsidised satellite connectivity for the very hard to reach, and creative opportunities that respond to community needs. Who: MBIE and CIP should lead this work across government, and coordinate funding for organisations doing the work in the community. This document identifies the departments and agencies that should lead the work in these priority areas. Coordination across government will also be essential if ministers agree to advance this agenda. We all look forward to working with the Government on advancing this work. Thank you for considering this five point plan and putting digital inclusion at the heart of New Zealand’s recovery. Signatories: 20/20 Trust | Access Advisors | Age Concern New Zealand | Blind Citizens NZ | Blind Low Vision NZ | Chorus | Deaf Action NZ | Deaf Aotearoa | Digital Future Aotearoa | Digital Inclusion Alliance Aotearoa | Digital Wings | Disabled Persons Assembly NZ | Figure.nz | Gravity Internet | Greater Christchurch Schools' Network | Hui E! | IT Professionals | InternetNZ | Kāpо̄ Māori Aotearoa New Zealand Inc | LIANZA | Moana Research | SLANZA | NZ Open Source Society | NZRise | NZTech | Tech Seniors | Te Mana o Kupe | Todd Foundation | Tohatoha | TUANZ | Wollemi Consulting Ltd Tēnā koutou katoa
SLANZA is delighted to announce that we have obtained an agreement with the Coalition for Books which enables our members to provide virtual storytimes to our school library communities while we are at Covid-19 Alert Level 4. This agreement allows for a relaxation of copyright rules during this time and provides guidelines for all school libraries in Aotearoa New Zealand. Sincere thanks to Mandy Henk, from Tohatoha Aotearoa Commons and Paula Browning from Copyright Licensing New Zealand who made this happen for us. Aotearoa New Zealand’s Copyright Law is specific to our country; we trust our members are mindful that other countries’ laws don’t apply here. Please ensure you read and follow these guidelines. Compliance shows a respect for the law and for our authors and publishers. The Coalition for Books website provides a list of publishers who have given their permission for school librarians and teachers to create online storytimes, and this list is being regularly updated. In addition, we have attached a letter that members may forward to their principal, senior leadership team and board of trustees to advise them of this agreement and copyright law during Covid-19. Ngā mihi nui Julia Good morning everyone
SLANZA acknowledges and celebrates members proactiveness in arranging online resources for our school communities during this extraordinary time. We are aware of the International movement of librarians reading books aloud and posting on their school's social media accounts. However, SLANZA is unsure of the copyright issues involved in Aotearoa New Zealand and we are currently looking into this issue. We will get back to you as soon as possible to clarify this. Meantime, SLANZA requests that members please refrain from posting reading videos online. Thank you Julia Kia ora koutou,
After careful consideration the SLANZA 2020 Conference Committee have decided to postpone the SLANZA 2020 Conference until next year. While it is disappointing that we will not be celebrating our 20th birthday altogether in September, we think a 21st birthday party next year will be an opportunity for a wonderful celebratory, inspiring and educational event (which by then we will all deserve). The Conference will now take place in Wellington during the 2021 October school holidays from Sunday 3rd October to Wednesday 6th October, 2021. We are working together with Conference Innovators to secure the same venue and Keynote Speakers for next year. Thank you to those who have offered to present workshops, the expertise offered has been of a very high calibre and we will be in contact with you shortly to reconfirm your availability for the new date. Those people who have already registered and paid will be contacted shortly with the following options:
Conference Innovators will also be in touch with anyone who has accommodation booked through the registration process and will give you the option to keep it in case you still wish to utilise that booking for a mini-break in the Capital. If you have booked accommodation outside of the registration process, you will need to contact the provider directly to discuss options. If you have registered for Conference but not yet paid, you have the option to pay now (if you have approval for this PD expenditure out of your 2020 budget), or to pay early next year out of your 2021 budget. The good news is the earlybird registration date has been extended and will remain open until April 2021, which now means you have potentially two years of budget available to secure your spot. If you haven’t yet registered you could do this now. We will hold the current prices for 2021. Any questions regarding registration can be directed to Raewyn at Conference Innovators (raewyn@conference.nz) or Conference Co convenors Helen Muxlow (hmuxlow@kwns.school.nz) and Clare Forrest (c.forrest@raroa.school.nz). We encourage you to look after yourselves and your whānau. Keep being a part of the fabulous support network that are school librarians, and show everyone how important we are! Ngā mihi nui Helen Muxlow Convenor SLANZA 2020 Committee   The National Executive met last weekend, 6-8 March, in Wellington. Below is a summary of some of the discussions covered at the meeting. This communique is to keep members up to date with the work being done on their behalf by the National Executive.
National Executive team National Executive would like to welcome two new members to our team. Both from the South Island, Michelle Summerfield joins us representing Otago, while Aoraki has a new representative in Maree Silver-Hessey. Sally Stanley-Boden has retired from SLANZA and the position of Treasurer has been filled by Maree. We thank Sally for many years overseeing our financial management. In addition, while Auckland’s representative Sharon Jackson takes a leave of absence, we are fortunate to gain Elizabeth Atkinson. Membership Huge thank you to those members who have already paid their 2020 membership – your prompt payment is appreciated. If you haven’t been invoiced yet, please contact Melanie Campaign We are planning an advocacy campaign called School Libraries Transform to promote the value and necessity of every student having access to a school library, supported by a specialist librarian with a budget and hours to provide a high-functioning learning environment within all school communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. More information will be available soon and we encourage you to contact your local National Executive representative if you would like to help. Meantime, you are welcome to start using the hashtag #SchoolLibrariesTransform Collected Magazine An opportunity has arisen for the role of Editor for our online Collected magazine. A small remuneration is available for each issue. We are also seeking proof-readers. If you are interested in either of these roles, please contact our Administration Officer, Melanie We are currently accepting articles, book reviews, and business member submissions for our next issue, School Libraries Transform: Professional Learning and Advocating for School Libraries. Please consider contributing to our magazine; articles must be submitted to the Editor by 30 April 2020. Connected Online Learning The first online learning module is underway with 45 members participating. Connected online courses are free for SLANZA members and are another option for school library staff to extend our learning. Clare Forrest leads the NE Professional Development team that have created the three modules we will be offering to members this year: Term 1 – Advocacy – School Library Appreciation and Promotion Term 2 – Media Literacy and Fake News in an Election Year Term 3 – Library Assistants Facebook Community Last year we migrated from our Google+ site to Facebook. We have a public Facebook page that is populated with SLANZA events, news and information. We also run a Facebook group called SLANZA Connected Community which is exclusive to SLANZA members and provides a platform for members to connect and communicate in a safe, closed community. We run professional development topics here and encourage our members to share resources, ask questions and join in robust discussions. Listserv The SLANZA Listserv is an open platform, not restricted to members, and we use this medium to help and support all our colleagues. Michelle Summerfield leads our new Listserv coordinators. Our thanks go to Bridget Schaumann, Carole Gardiner and Steph Ellis who have looked after it for so many years. President Elect SLANZA National Executive is calling for nominations for the position of President Elect. The President Elect is successor to the President and is a one-year term from September 2020 to September 2021 when they will take over the role of SLANZA President from Glenys Bichan. The position requires this person to aid and support the current President while gaining an insight into the functions of the Presidential role of SLANZA. It also requires an in-depth understanding of the workings of SLANZA and its stakeholders. Please use the Nomination Form - nominations close Thursday 9 April 2020. We wish to advise you of National Executive’s nomination of Sasha Eastwood-Bennit for the position of President Elect. SLANZA Awards A heads up – the call for nominations for SLANZA awards to recognise excellence, success and achievement within school libraries will open July 1. Criteria for each award can be found on the Awards Page on the SLANZA website. Please consider nominating your exceptional colleagues. Nominations, along with all the required documentation, may be forwarded to admin@slanza.org.nz during July and August, with nominations closing August 31, 2020. Awards will be presented at the upcoming National Conference in Wellington. National Library Survey Thank you once again to all our members who participated in the National Library survey. As a non-profit organisation we are extremely fortunate to have access to the findings of this survey, as it provides valuable information for National Executive to work from. On that note, we wish to acknowledge the tremendous amount of work that Miriam Tuohy spent in drafting, collating, interpreting and presenting the report. NZEI Pay Equity Claim We are thrilled for our Teacher Aide colleagues whose negotiations for a pay equity settlement concluded in February 2020 and is now going through a Government sign-off process. We are working alongside NZEI for our own pay equity claim. SLANZA National Executive would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing commitment to SLANZA and wish you all a great year. We will continue to work on your behalf and ensure that the voice of school libraries from all over the country are heard. Julia Smith NE Communications Julia Smith BAppSci (LIS) Librarian Kerikeri High School SLANZA National Executive rep for Te Tai Tokerau
Kia ora koutou school librarians and lovers of school libraries We are very excited to be able to tell you about two of our keynotes for the SLANZA 2020 Conference: Scot Gardner
Scot will be doing a workshop, as well as presenting a keynote, so make sure you register and are ready to choose your workshops early, as they will fill up quickly. Scot has been writing for young people since last century. His books are mostly about misfits making peace with the world, death and love. He came to writing down a long winding path of careers including landscape gardening, massage and counselling, professional music, teaching, waiting tables and driving delivery trucks. Changing Gear is his eighteenth novel in as many years and his backlist includes award-winning and internationally acclaimed books such as Burning Eddy, The Dead I Know and Sparrow. He has a bristling fascination for the natural world.
Toby Morris
series The Side Eye to be challenged to think more deeply, while being entertained. Toby Morris has published two children’s books and is a regular contributor to the School Journal. Watch his series Two Sketches to get to know him better and learn about other New Zealand cartoonists and artists
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Photo used under Creative Commons from thewritingzone