In an interview recorded by Radio Rhema on Wednesday, SLANZA President Fiona Mackie spoke passionately about libraries, both in our schools and in our communities.

Entitled, School Libraries a waste? the thrust of this interview relates to the fact that across the ditch in Australia, the government has spent 4 billion dollars building new school libraries across the country and that this now appears to be going to waste. According to reports, many Australian schools are now saying they're phasing out their entire catalogue of books and all their shelving because pupils are researching on line and reading e-books instead. (For more on the Australian school library situation, visit The Hub.)

Fiona was asked to share her persective, which she did very succinctly, from how librarians are in the best position to help students navigate their way through the research mire to how e-books aren't quite the same as their print versions when it comes to cuddling up with your favourite youngster for story time. To hear Fiona talk about this and more in just 5 minutes click on this link. 

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

At the National Executive meeting in March it was decided that we should re-instate annual SLANZA Awards and present at every AGM rather than just at conference.  This year's AGM is in Wellington on 21 July.  Nominations are open now and close 21 June.

The Award's are listed below:

•    Award of merit for information literacy
  
•    Award of merit for literacy and enjoyment of reading
  
•    Award of merit for promotion
  
•    Award of merit for research
  
•    Award of merit for library assistant
  
•    Principal's award
  
•    Certificate of appreciation
  
•    Certificate of recognition

Please consider those around you who are worthy of recognition and either nominate them or encourage them to apply.

For information about eligibility criteria, and how to apply or nominate someone for an award go tohttp://slanza.org.nz/awards.html.

Please note the cut off for nominations will be Thursday 21 June and the new SLANZA mailing address is:
Lily O'Donovan
SLANZA Executive Officer
c/- PO Box 27 321
Wellington 6011
[email protected]

Please contact me if you require any further information.
Lisa Salter

RLIANZA
Library Manager
Ruawai College and Community Library
PO Box 7, Ruawai 0549

Phone 09 439 2216
[email protected]

SLANZA Te Tai Tokerau representative
www.slanza.org.nz 

SLANZA is pleased to offer Honorary Life Membership to recognize those whose contribution to school librarianship or a closely related field is so outstanding that it is of lasting importance to the advancement of the whole  field of school library service.

Please think about those in our field who deserve to be rewarded in this way.  Applications are open now and close Thursday 21 June 2012.  The first Honorary Life Memberships will be presented at our 2012 AGM in Wellington on Saturday 21 July. 

An application form may be obtained from Lisa Salter, email [email protected].  This new form of membership will be up on our website in the near future.

WHAT IS SLANZA HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP? 

Honorary Life Membership is considered to be SLANZA’s highest honor.  Honorary life  membership may be conferred on a living member whose contribution to school librarianship or a  closely related field is so outstanding that it is of lasting importance to the advancement of the whole  field of school library service.  It is intended to reflect honor upon the SLANZA as well as upon the  individual.

NOMINATIONS PROCEDURE:

Any SLANZA personal member (except current members of the SLANZA Executive Board) may nominate an individual for Honorary Life Membership.  The nominee will be a member of SLANZA.

Please do not hesitate to contact me for further clarification.

Lisa Salter
Phone 09 439 2216
[email protected]
Te Tai Tokerau NE School Library Association of New Zealand Aotearoa