I am absolutely delighted to announce the recipients of SLANZA’s Study Grants for 2014. Our warmest congratulations go out to these successful applicants:

• Catherine Buckley (Rangitoto College)
  
• Stephanie Ellis (Napier Boys High School)
  
• Sandi Faulconbridge (Taradale Primary School)
  
• Kathleen Van der Putten (Tokoroa Intermediate School)

We all understand that working and studying takes quite some commitment. So it is especially gratifying to know that many SLANZA members are continuing their learning in the field of Information and Library Studies. SLANZA is committed to helping make this undertaking easier where we can, as we believe that it will benefit not just our members as their library careers unfold, but that the students and staff in their schools will benefit too, from working alongside a librarian with a deep understanding of their field, and a personal commitment to life-long learning, continual improvement and innovation.

We are currently looking at ways SLANZA can help support our members who are studying, and we hope to have some new initiatives in place for the beginning of the 2014 year.

Best wishes once again to all our grant recipients!

Miriam Tuohy

This weekend the National Executive met in Wellington for the last meeting of the year. All regions were represented and much discussion and work took place.

Highlights of this year have been the success of our “Connected Librarians” online PD, which was developed by Miriam Tuohy from the Central region.  Feedback has been incredibly positive and we will provide more opportunities in the future.  We also acknowledge the achievement of the committee presenting the “Winds of Change” conference in July, feedback from the conference has been extremely positive

We have started hearing about Modern Library Learning Environments (MLLE) and the opportunities this will provide. Christchurch schools are already becoming familiar with the term, and other areas may be soon as well.  Information relating to library staff involvement in this initiative will follow on our blog soon.

We welcomed representatives of National Library Geraldine Howell, Elizabeth Jones and Paula Eskett for an update of services and a conversation about areas of common interest. This was a hugely positive meeting which we hope will lead to further conversations about ways we can combine our resources and work together

We thank all of you who have offered help in our “Pool of Talent”, a special thanks to the proofreading team for Collected for their expertise.  We would like to acknowledge all those who work for SLANZA.

Study grant recipients for 2014 are will be announced by the end of the week.

The NE would like to know what expectations the members have of SLANZA as an organisation.  We hope that all regions will take time at an event in the near future and brainstorm the question “What do you think SLANZA should do for members next year?”

Preparation for the next conference at St Andrews College, Christchurch in 2015 is well underway.  Great news that accommodation will be available onsite in the NEW dormitories and the committee are impressed with the quality of the facilities.

The National Executive is re-establishing key relationships with other organisations with similar goals, making sure the voice of the school library is heard in decisions relating to our industry.  We are keen to explore the relationships between school and public libraries and other educational organisations.

This term’s issue of Collected “Out with the old, in with the new” is taking shape and the deadline for contributions is Friday 15 November.  The reader contribution question is up on the website, so consider your answer and let us know the one thing you are going to do next year that you didn’t do this year.

http://www.slanza.org.nz/collected-reader-contributions.html

Next year’s AGM is being planned in Dunedin in the July School holidays to coincide with the planned Otago region’s “Weekend School”.  This event was hugely successful when it was held in 2012.  Dates will be announced closer to the time.

While that was the last face to face meeting for the year, we are still busy taking our message out there.  If you have any suggestions, questions or offers of help please contact your region’s representative in the first instance.

Lisa Salter
SLANZA Communications Leader

Calling for our readers to reply to our question -

"Out with the old, in with the new" What new thing are you going to do/try next year?

Please take a moment to fill in the boxes at:

http://www.slanza.org.nz/collected-reader-contributions.html

Deadline for this and all other articles is Friday 15 November.  It's not too late to put in your own contribution.

Thanks
Lisa Salter
RLIANZA   l   SLANZA Communications Leader   l   ruawailibrary.wordpress.com