Advocacy & Research
The Advocacy Portfolio exists to promote the role of school libraries, school librarians and needs of students at local, regional and national level. Advocacy can cover any area from a librarian advocating on behalf of their own school, to SLANZA representing school libraries at a national level.
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Advocacy resources - check out our School Libraries Transform website for some great resources and articles to support you to advocate for your school library |
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Latest Research on Reading for Pleasure
Reading for pleasure early in childhood linked to better cognitive performance and mental wellbeing in adolescence.
This article is available free via EPIC.
University of Cambridge - Reading for pleasure early in childhood linked to better cognitive performance and mental wellbeing in adolescence. (2023, June 29). ENP Newswire, NA.
This article is available free via EPIC.
University of Cambridge - Reading for pleasure early in childhood linked to better cognitive performance and mental wellbeing in adolescence. (2023, June 29). ENP Newswire, NA.
SLANZA in the Media - Advocating for our sector
Why are NZ schools sacrificing libraries despite plummeting literacy rates?
by Paul Little Published in the New Zealand Listener and on the New Zealand Herald website. 23 Aug, 2023 
The Education Hub published a couple of Margaret Merga articles:
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Great school libraries in Aotearoa: A qualitative study Published June 2023 This report, which is a collaboration between the Ministry of Education and SLANZA, aims to highlight the positive impact a well-supported library can have for learners and the wider school community. 
Pay Equity for Librarians Evidence Report Processes, evidence, and information for assessing pay inequity for librarians and library assistants in schools and kura. More about this can be found on the NZEI website |
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NATIONAL LIBRARY - Research
This research is a curated collection of important and thought-provoking recent publications. It highlights national and international research in the areas of school libraries, digital literacy, and reading engagement. Access research links and reports here. |
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School Libraries in Aotearoa New Zealand surveys
The School Libraries in Aotearoa New Zealand surveys are a collaboration between the National Library of New Zealand Services to Schools, the School Library Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (SLANZA) and the Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (LIANZA).
Read reports from an ongoing series of national surveys about school libraries in Aotearoa New Zealand. The survey series started in 2018.
The School Libraries in Aotearoa New Zealand surveys are a collaboration between the National Library of New Zealand Services to Schools, the School Library Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (SLANZA) and the Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (LIANZA).
Read reports from an ongoing series of national surveys about school libraries in Aotearoa New Zealand. The survey series started in 2018.
Archives
Teacher's love of reading inspires Ākonga
By Education Gazette editors ISSUE: VOLUME 102, NUMBER 1
Ten ways School Librarians improve literacy in schools
In this article from our cousins across the ditch, they note how "Teacher librarians in Australian schools are a valuable resource often taken for granted." If you're looking for a list of reasons why every school needs a librarian, reading the full article on The Conversation is a great place to start.
In this article from our cousins across the ditch, they note how "Teacher librarians in Australian schools are a valuable resource often taken for granted." If you're looking for a list of reasons why every school needs a librarian, reading the full article on The Conversation is a great place to start.
Reading for happiness and wellbeing
"Mental health and wellbeing is one of those topics that historically has been talked about in hushed whispers of misinformation. Yet, one in five of us will experience mental illness or significant mental distress, and increasing numbers of children and young people are doing so. " With links to research and studies, this article touches on the importance of reading for happiness and wellbeing. Read about it here.
"Mental health and wellbeing is one of those topics that historically has been talked about in hushed whispers of misinformation. Yet, one in five of us will experience mental illness or significant mental distress, and increasing numbers of children and young people are doing so. " With links to research and studies, this article touches on the importance of reading for happiness and wellbeing. Read about it here.
Love of books at Cambridge school which once closed its library to make way for cyber café
A school which once closed its library has seen a resurgence in the love of paper-based literature. Read all about it here.
A school which once closed its library has seen a resurgence in the love of paper-based literature. Read all about it here.
Information Literacy Spaces - When change is good: what the expertise of a librarian can do for students' learning
A fantastic article from Information Literacy Spaces about the power of a trained and/or qualified school librarian. As quoted in the article, "... I really hope that one day very soon, all schools regardless of size or decile, have full time trained and qualified, and well remunerated School Librarians. This is one change alone - better pay and conditions - has the potential to change everything." Follow them on Twitter: @il_spaces
A fantastic article from Information Literacy Spaces about the power of a trained and/or qualified school librarian. As quoted in the article, "... I really hope that one day very soon, all schools regardless of size or decile, have full time trained and qualified, and well remunerated School Librarians. This is one change alone - better pay and conditions - has the potential to change everything." Follow them on Twitter: @il_spaces
Education Gazette article
Members of SLANZA's National Executive were interviewed by the Education Gazette. The resulting article “The transformation of school libraries” was published in the Gazette Focus issue 92.9 (4 June 2013). It highlights and promotes the many ways that school libraries - and librarians - contribute to student learning and achievement: helping develop readers, providing physical and virtual spaces with access to a diverse range of media and technology, fostering the use of IT tools to enhance learning, teaching critical thinking and information literacy skills, and so on. The publishers have kindly made it available for you to download from our website (see link at right).
Members of SLANZA's National Executive were interviewed by the Education Gazette. The resulting article “The transformation of school libraries” was published in the Gazette Focus issue 92.9 (4 June 2013). It highlights and promotes the many ways that school libraries - and librarians - contribute to student learning and achievement: helping develop readers, providing physical and virtual spaces with access to a diverse range of media and technology, fostering the use of IT tools to enhance learning, teaching critical thinking and information literacy skills, and so on. The publishers have kindly made it available for you to download from our website (see link at right).
Parliamentary Select Committee Submission
SLANZA has made a submission to the Parliamentary Select Committee "Inquiry into 21st century learning environments and digital literacy". You can find the Terms of Reference for the inquiry online here, and SLANZA's submission is available here (pdf). We have appeared before the committee to speak to this submission, and will keep you informed of progress.
Write to your Board of Trustees, Member of Parliament
SLANZA provides this letter template which can be edited and sent to principals and senior management, Boards of Trustees, Members of Parliament and other political candidates. We suggest that you also include a copy of the article "Libraries belong at the heart of schools" available online in the August issue of the PPTA News, so both can be sent together to provide a comprehensive picture.
SLANZA has made a submission to the Parliamentary Select Committee "Inquiry into 21st century learning environments and digital literacy". You can find the Terms of Reference for the inquiry online here, and SLANZA's submission is available here (pdf). We have appeared before the committee to speak to this submission, and will keep you informed of progress.
Write to your Board of Trustees, Member of Parliament
SLANZA provides this letter template which can be edited and sent to principals and senior management, Boards of Trustees, Members of Parliament and other political candidates. We suggest that you also include a copy of the article "Libraries belong at the heart of schools" available online in the August issue of the PPTA News, so both can be sent together to provide a comprehensive picture.
