Life Memberships 2015

The National Executive Life Membership Committee is pleased to announce that Life membership has been conferred upon the following members of our organisation. These Life Memberships were conferred at the SLANZA Conference earlier this month and both the Wellington and Auckland regions will hold local celebrations of these members. We congratulate both Barbara and Kaaren on their Life Membership awards.

Kaaren Hirst
SLANZA work has been an inherent part of Kaaren’s life for the length of her career in school libraries. She is a stalwart of the Auckland school library scene. Providing PD for school librarians in the very early days of SLANZA, Kaaren’s voice has been heard many times over the years promoting the role of school librarians across the country. A champion for librarians and proactive in all aspects of school libraries, part of the change and growth of libraries and librarians. Kaaren has sat on the National Executive twice, been the co-chair of the Auckland regional committee three times, she has been conference convener and on every Auckland conference committee. She has been a very active union advocate and a vocal supporter for school libraries everywhere. She is not done yet, during the last school holidays while we were at SLANZA conference, she was representing us at the NZEI support staff conference. Kaaren's ongoing work with NZEI advocating for support staff and school librarians in particular, has benefitted all of us.

Barbara Murison
Barbara Murison has spent her life promoting and working with school libraries. Barbara has been an advocate for books, libraries, school libraries and school librarians. Through her ventures in publishing, especially Around the Bookshops and her online presence, she has informed school libraries about books for young people. Barbara continues to support school libraries, librarians and students despite having been ‘retired’ for some time, actively assisting those in need providing resources and support. She still attends SLANZA meetings, mentors new librarians, helps out with the Kid’s lit Quiz and is deeply involved in the children’s literary scene. Barbara is a longstanding member of SLANZA and a supporter of school libraries across the nation. Her work to promote school libraries is of nationwide importance.

​We congratulate both Barbara and Kaaren on their Life Membership awards.