Hi
News from the National Executive meeting over the holidays:

Winds of Change SLANZA Conference 2013, the Wellington team pulled out all the stops to create a worthwhile learning experience for our members.  To read more check out our blog at:
http://www.slanza.org.nz/1/post/2013/07/fantastic-conference.html

To read about our new life members go to:
http://www.slanza.org.nz/1/post/2013/07/life-membership-awarded-at-conference.html

To read about this years’ SLANZA Award winners go to:
http://www.slanza.org.nz/1/post/2013/07/2013-slanza-awards-list.html

Conference keynotes and workshops available at:
http://www.slanza.org.nz/2013-conference.html

We were grateful for the attendance at our AGM at conference as there were many important issues to discuss, the most significant was the updating of our Constitution, which we realised over the last year no longer reflected our current practice and needed updating.  Things like considering working
on online platforms and adding provision for Life Membership.  While we needed to remove the requirement of having a LIANZA and National Library Rep on the NE as it has not been current practice, we are keen to find ways to engage with these organisations and will work towards keeping our relationships with them relevant and fruitful.  We acknowledge that we are working towards a common goal and working more closely will increase all our abilities to provide relevant services to our users.

At the National Executive meeting the day after conference, Thursday 18 July, opened with members buzzing about the success of the band of dedicated volunteers who provided our members with the opportunity for high quality professional development, exposure to world class key note
speakers and networking with like minded professionals.  We sincerely thank them for their work, the workshop presenters and all those who attended.  It was pleasing to see so many faces from National Library, public libraries, international schools and LIANZA supporting our conference as well.

The morning meeting started with outgoing president Fiona Mackie sharing her report and updating members on the National Reading Initiatives proposal which combines the expertise of National Library, Public Libraries, LIANZA, SLANZA, Association of Public Library Managers, Te Rōpū Whakahau and The Book Council of New Zealand working for a common goal.  As an organization we are keen to be involved at this level working towards worthwhile programmes that support our libraries and services.  We welcomed new representatives Saskia Hill for Aoraki, Michele Sims for Waikato Bay of Plenty and look forward to having Trish Webster for Auckland at our next meeting.

Next our new president Bridget Schaumann shared her vision of what she would  like to see SLANZA achieve over the next two years.  Briefly she would like to use our combined experience and energy to provide useful resources for our members, create better networks for sharing and
supporting each other and tap into our members experience creating a ‘pool of talent’ to raise the level of librarianship and share useful skills with our members.  Basically Bridget would like to see the National Executive be busy, focused and active for our members.

The National Executive is divided up into Membership and Advocacy, Communication and Professional Development teams to work in a focused way for members.  We are working on meeting our current members needs, promoting our services to encourage new members and providing best
practice for libraries with a repository of useful things to share like RLIANZA resources.

We will be working towards our goals in the coming months, as well as supporting our regions.  Our next National Executive meeting will be held in November.    Please feel free to contact your local representative with any suggestions or requests, details are on our website.

Lisa Salter
SLANZA Communications Leader

Awards Recipients 2013

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.

These are the recipients of the 2013 awards:

Award of merit for literacy and enjoyment of reading

Trina Yuretich, Teacher with Library Responsibilty, Ahipara School
Nominated by Jeannie Skinner and Jennifer Puckey
Trina has demonstrated excellence across several areas of school library development. She has transformed the library environment with vibrant displays, and developed the library as a hub for reading, enabling a reading culture to develop throughout the school. The summer reading programme she organised over the summer holidays has significantly reduced student summer learning loss. Trina takes advantage of all the professional development opportunities available to her, as well as organising such literary events as Storylines and Kids Lit Quiz for her students to attend during the year.

Pam Garry, Library Manager, John McGlashen College
Nominated by Carole Gardiner and Bridget Schaumann
Pam is forward thinking and solution focussed in the education world. She is always trying new things and working to improve existing things. Pam runs a range of stimulating and exciting reading programmes throughout the school such as a peer reading programme; Go McGlashan Read, and Chockywockydoodah. She is an adjudicator for the speech competition, and organises the SHRIMP holiday reading packs to ensure minimal loss of student learning through summer school holidays. Pam is an excellent colleague who keep in close contact with all departments, especially English, and creates exciting visual displays for the library. Her contributions to the reading and learning of the students are wise, well-considered and always practical.

Glenys Bichan, Librarian, Cambridge High School
Nominated by Linda McCullough and Vicki Stephens
Under Glenys’s guidance the use of the library has increased greatly. This is the result of well-run book promotions, the creation of a welcoming environment within the library and timely promotions of current events to capture student interest. She has embraced digital technology by developing a number of digital resources, and moved the school into the area of ebooks, providing students with access to these resources from home. Glenys is always responsive to the changing learning needs of her students.

Kimberley Atkinson, Librarian, Robertson Road School, Mangere, Auckland
References: Ravi Naidoo and John Nicholls
Kimberley works in a decile one, full primary school with 500 students and a 90% Pasifika student roll. Some examples of the innovative programmes she has initiated are the creating of Māori and Pacific collections, introducing graphic novels, a parenting library, which matches well with the Home School programme run throughout the school community, series boxes for fiction and the presentation of all fiction in face-out position. Kimberley has had great success with her funding applications to several organisations and has used the money wisely to increase the number of reading resources in the library. Her school is now a part of the Authors in Schools programme with recent visits from Kyle Mewburn, Tracey Duncan and Paula Green. Kimberley has proven herself to be a passionate advocate for her school library, with the reading and literacy interest of her students always at the heart of her work.

Award of merit for promotion

Tracy Westall, Librarian, Diocesan School for Girls, Auckland
Nominated by Elizabeth Atkinson and Chris Arthur
Tracy is acknowledged for the energy and passion she brings to her work, ensuring that her library is a vibrant and exciting place for readers to discover and enjoy a range of books and resources. Tracy has been extremely successful in promoting and encouraging use of the library, in ways that are centred on students, and foster a sense of ownership and belonging for them.

Michelle Simms, Librarian, Te Totara Primary School, Hamilton
Nominated by Jude Cosson and Linday McCullough
Michelle is acknowledged for her innovative and proactive promotion of her library to members of her school community. Michelle’s sharing of new ideas and information reaches beyond her school into the wider school library and education communities; she is a role model for the ways technology can be used to enhance library services and develop community connections.

Award of merit for Library Manager

Clare Giesbers, Library Manager, Northland College, Kaikohe
Nominated by Jeannie Skinner and Jennifer Puckey
Clare is acknowledged for her unflagging commitment and enthusiasm, despite difficult circumstances, to the development of her library as a relevant and engaging environment that is positive, welcoming and inclusive for all students and staff at her school.

Award of merit for Information Literacy

Clare Forrest, Library Manager, Raroa Normal Intermediate, Wellington
Nominated by Jason Ataera and Janet Hart
Clare is acknowledged as a valuable member of her staff who has successfully developed and implemented an effective approach to improving students’ literacy, and has been able to share these approaches with the wider library/school community.

Principal’s Awards

Sandy Hastings, Beckenham Primary School, Christchurch
Nominated by Glenda Fortune and Paula Eskett
Sandy is recognised for providing inspiration and actively demonstrates how highly valued the library and it’s services are in the school community.

Patrick Drumm, Aorere College, Auckland
Nominated by Anne Rolinson, supported by Bharathi Char and Kaaren Hirst
Patrick is acknowledged for his sustained support of the library team and consistently promoting the importance of the library to the school and the wider community.

Lee Whitelaw, Ohaeawai School, Kaikohe
Nominated by Jeannie Skinner and Jennifer Puckey
Lee is recognised for placing the library at the heart of literacy and learning at Ohaeawai School creating enthusiastic, fluent, engaged readers and writers. Lee sees the library as integral to achieving that goal.

Philip McCreery, Cambridge High School, Cambridge
Nominated by Glenys Bichan and Richard Carter
Philip has supported the creation of the library as the hub of learning in the school allowing it to consistently demonstrate innovation; fostering high morale among staff and promoting community use of the library.

Certificates of Appreciation Awarded to retiring regional chairs and National
Executive representatives

Kaaren Hirst - retiring Auckland regional chair
Bridget Schaumann - retiring Otago regional chair
Donna Watt - retiring Southland regional chair
Bharathi Char - retiring National Executive Representative, Auckland region
Di Eastwood - retiring Te Tai Tokerau chair
Michele Ayres - retiring National Executive Representative, Aoraki region
Jude Cosson - retiring National Executive Representative, Waikato / Bay of Plenty region
Donna Watt - retiring National Executive Representative, Southland region
Paula Eskett - retiring National Executive Representative, Aoraki region
Michele Whiting - retiring National Executive Representative, Wellington region

Certificate of Appreciation awarded to Past President

Fiona Mackie

Certificates of Appreciation awarded to members of the 2013 conference committee

Michele Whiting - Corinna School
Karen Clarke - St Patrick's College, Kilbirnie
Katrina Young-Drew - National Library of New Zealand, Services to Schools
Clare Forrest - Raroa Normal Intermediate School
Robbie Wathne - Rongotai College Christine Cross - Worser Bay School
Joanna Ludbrook - Houghton Valley School Anne Keenan - Sacred Heart College, Lower Hutt
Judith McGhie - Hutt City Libraries
Marianne Dobie - Chilton Saint James School
Jane Shallcrass - Wellington High School Rosalba Finnerty - Samuel Marsden Collegiate School Archives
Jenny Carroll - Wellington Girls' College Susan Arthur - Mana Education Centre
Angela Ryan - Mana Education Centre

As one of my last acts as President, it gave me great pleasure to be able to announce who had received Life Membership of SLANZA during last week's conference.

We were delighted at the calibre of the nominations for the people who received Life Membership as they exemplify all the qualities and attributes of best practice in literacy, advocacy, promotion, professional development and also a very evident willingness to be involved on a local and national level.
The recipients are as listed:

Pauline McCowan

In recognition of Pauline’s contribution to the formation of SLANZA, her long term role on the National Executive and SLANZAK and her promotion of SLANZA nationally.  Her participation on conference committees and her constant support of school librarians and their value over the last 12 years.

Pauline’s involvement with SLANZA dates from the very earliest meetings of the organisation.  She was part of the Auckland School Library Association (ASLA) for many years and then contributed to the creation of SLANZA, was on the National Executive for several years and was a member of the IASL and Auckland conference committees.  At the local level, Pauline was actively involved with SLANZAK until her retirement in 2011, organising professional development and events  as well as presenting at SLANZA conferences nationally. Pauline also trained as a teacher-librarian and has shared her knowledge of information literacy programmes and love of literature with others through her work at National Library.


John Fowler

In recognition of John’s long term role and contribution to the ASLA and SLANZAK committees over the past 34 years, his involvement in the provision of professional development in the Auckland region and his participation in the organisation of the IASL conference and the Auckland conferences.

34 years - what an amazing contribution to school libraries John has made.  He joined ASLA in 1979, quickly becoming the secretary and was the Chair for seven years.  John helped to form SLANZAK, was part of the the IASL and both Auckland conference committees, and has contributed greatly to providing professional development opportunities in the Auckland area too. John has just stepped down from SLANZAK and has signalled his intention to retire from Kings’ College at the end of the year, where he has been a teacher-librarian for 20 years.  His quiet manner and institutional knowledge will be greatly missed.


Jeannie Skinner

In recognition of the tireless effort Jeannie has put into the development of Te Tai Tokerau as a region, for her advocacy and passion for the promotion of literacy and reading, and the unstinting support Jeannie has provided to all involved in school libraries across Northland.

Jeannie’s nomination was accompanied by several heartfelt testimonies, outlining the dedication Jeannie has shown to SLANZA  and the invaluable support she provides to all people involved with school libraries across Te Tai Tokerau.  Jeannie is known for her love of and advocacy for all forms of literature and has been instrumental in assisting schools to apply for grants to improve their libraries and collections.  She is a moving force in ensuring Northland has author tours and the Storylines festival, to the envy of other areas. She has served on the committee for since it began and one of the testimonies said:  Since Jeannie returned to Northland, she has always been on  the SLANZA committee, and it will be a sad day when this is not so.


Linda McCullough

In recognition of Linda’s work on behalf of the SLANZA members of the Waikato/Bay of Plenty region, her continuous service to the schools in the area and her dedication to fostering the development of people on the regional committee, and for her efforts to provide excellent PD and support to members in the Waikato/Bay of Plenty.

Linda has worked tirelessly for the Waikato/Bay of Plenty area and has put a huge amount of effort into growing the talents and abilities of those on the Waikato/Bay of Plenty committee, ensuring the stability and development of the committee.  Linda has been involved with SLANZA since the steering committee meetings in 2000 and has been on the Waikato/Bay of Plenty committee since the beginning. She has played a crucial part in ensuring many others are recognised for their achievements and her nominators have quite rightly pointed out that it is time Linda was recognised for all she has done for others.


Adaire Hannah

In recognition of Adaire’s advocacy for all involved in school libraries across New Zealand, her advocacy to people in very high places and to other organisations on behalf of SLANZA, her work in ensuring students have the information literacy skills necessary for success and her participation in SLANZA in Wellington and nationally over the past 12 years.

Adaire’s dedication to SLANZA and her advocacy for all working in school libraries is legendary.  She is renowned as someone who is forthright and direct and has used that to promote the cause of SLANZA and school libraries everywhere, as part of National Executive and as a SLANZA representative on committees such as TPSAC and the PPTA ICT taskforce. Adaire was part of the Wellington SLANZA committee since its inception and she also has been part of the very successful Wellington conferences too, both as a convenor of conference committees and as a presenter. Adaire’s work as a teacher-librarian was recognised nationally by SLANZA and LIANZA, for the whole school information literacy programme she created and has run in collaboration with other staff throughout Wellington High.


Glenda Fortune

In recognition of Glenda’s contribution to the formation of SLANZA, and her long term role on the Aoraki committee. Also for her support in so many ways of SLANZA and the work it does, but especially for the outstanding support she has provided to all in Christchurch during the last two years.

Glenda was part of the original group who discussed the possibility of a national organisation for those interested in school libraries, and she has been part of the Aoraki committee since then.  as well as organising professional development on a local level, she has has been on both the Christchurch conference committees, and has presented at conferences too. One of the most touching parts of Glenda’s nomination was reading about how Glenda has supported, helped and lead people who have been affected by the Canterbury earthquakes and they say: Glenda remains our quiet peaceful harbour giving us wisdom and support throughout.

Congratulations to our new Life Members and thank you for the dedication you have shown to SLANZA.

We were promised 'Winds of Change' at the SLANZA 2013 conference in Wellington.  What we hadn't bargained for was 'high winds close airport on Sunday"!  Some of us were at airports around the country on Sunday rescheduling our flights and taking refuge with local 'flockmates' to ride out the storm. 

Fortunately the storm did not dampen the spirits of those who arrived in time for the "meet and greet" at the conference venue.  The conversation, food and wine flowed freely into the evening as members caught up with old friends and made new ones before setting off to enjoy the well known eateries of Wellington.

Monday morning started with Professor Tara Brabazon "Learning to Leisure?  Why Google is not a library and Facebook is not a classroom" enlightening delegates with her thoughts on digital medium’s place in education and the blurred line between generational understanding and use.  

Workshops followed each keynote throughout the conference with delegates following their own interests and passions to a variety of high quality opportunities for insight and engagement.  

Professor Erica McWilliams’ keynote followed lunch on Monday "Library Pedagogy in the Era of Big Data'.  Although delegates had just enjoyed the high standard of fabulous food which the caterers consistently provided throughout the conference, nobody suffered from 'after lunch fade out’ due to Erica’s fascinating and engaging advice on assisting our users with information management in learning.

Monday evening after cocktails and Awards (see website page for full list) many delegates chose to join flockmates of similar school types ie; boys schools, primary schools etc.  This initiative was suggested on Listserv and captured the attention of many participants who enjoyed sharing with those in similar situations.   

Tuesday started with a keynote from Dr Cathy Wylie, a Chief Researcher at the NZ Council for Educational Research, ‘How reading matters in Children’s development’.  She drew together findings from her own research and other comparative projects to give the audience a broad yet clear understanding of how literacy, home life and school experience effect children’s ability to learn and be productive.

Keynote Andrew Fiu, author of Purple Heart a story of his teenage years spent in hospital, spoke of his own learning journey and how his elderly hospital mates inspired him to open his mind to education by sharing their newspapers and life experience with him.

On the social side, the author breakfasts at the Iconic Backbenchers bar were well attended. Tuesday evening gave us an opportunity for a private viewing of the Andy Warhol exhibit followed by dinner and dancing in the stunning Te Marae on the top floor of Te Papa Museum.

Wednesday started with Dr Susan Sandretto’s “(Re)considering information literacy through a critical literacy lens’ as the final keynote of the conference.  She shared an overview of the rapidly evolving multi-literacy landscape and where information literacy practices might go next.  Her practical handouts gave participants a starting point for their own info lit approach.

The author panel with Kim Hill, Bernard Beckett, Glenn Colquhoun and Kate de Goldi was a highlight for many and a great way to finish the conference.  Their open discussion was interesting and enlightening.  Delegates were invited to join in the conversation, this lead to some humorous moments with good advice and ideas from all involved. 

All our thanks go to the conference committee and their dedication to providing a positive learning experience for all who took their offer to examine ‘The Winds of Change’ in our industry and our lives.


Lisa Salter - SLANZA Communications Leader

SLANZA is disappointed that the Herald on Sunday published an article and editorial about Ted Dawe’s award winning young adult novel ‘Into the river’ that demonstrated a lack of understanding of the nature and purpose of young adult fiction and of the role library staff have in creating rich, responsive collections.


School librarians choose books based on sound criteria when developing their collections, but in all cases we consider the audience the book might have, the kind of readers a book might attract,  the reputation of the author and the needs of our community.  It is impossible for a librarian to read every book in their collection but if a book provokes controversy we would be likely to take it home to read for ourselves. If it proves to contain matter which we feel might not be suitable for younger or more sensitive readers we might restrict access to that item. School library staff do not act as censors but instead introduce students to a range of material, as well as ensuring students know how to determine if a book is the right one for them to read at that point in time.


We want our students to read widely and deeply, to find new ideas and to read across a wide variety of genres and subjects. Part of the joy of reading is finding new things to take you to new worlds, new places and to read of experiences other than your own.  But there is also the thrill of finding the familiar in a book, recognising the setting, finding lives which you connect with on a local level and this is why reading literature by New Zealand authors is encouraged, promoted and celebrated in schools.


Book awards are important.  They recognise excellence in writing and they do much to encourage readers to try new authors.  The judges are not censors either, but are reading with a focus on excellence.  Books with great writing are often recognised  with awards but these books are not necessarily going to be the most popular in school libraries, however good writing must be identified and many schools will purchase the awardees because they wish to stock quality books.  There are of course many excellent books which do not receive awards and school library staff make purchasing decisions every day using a number of tools such as reviews, the author’s past work, recommendations from other librarians and also their knowledge of their readers and own experience when choosing books.


Ted Dawe told Kim Hill that he wrote Into the River for a 15+ reader.  Our schools have a responsibility to extend older readers while being thoughtful towards younger readers.  The New Zealand Post Book Awards determine criteria for the awards, but it is for school library staff to ensure that any book purchased meets their school’s collection development needs.  For some schools that would mean suggesting that the student visit their public library and for others the book would be available with or without restrictions.  


SLANZA respects the ability of school library staff to build collections to meet the needs of their community.  It would not assume that any school library would stock a book for its shock value, because it could be considered to represent a particular ethnic group or because of a perceived need to portray a view of society, as incorrectly reported by the Herald on Sunday.