Our Time at ASLA 2025: Sharing NZCER Findings and Connecting with Colleagues

​What an experience it was for SLANZA to be invited to present at the recent Australian School Library Association (ASLA) conference in Geelong at the end of May! This year's ASLA conference focused on celebrating and invigorating school libraries to lead education, empower learning communities, and explore new literacy and information management pathways. This made it an even more fitting stage for us to share findings from the recently released NZCER report, "School library spaces, resources, and services in Aotearoa New Zealand" that was commissioned by SLANZA-NLNZ Services to Schools steering group and funded by a grant secured by SLANZA. 

As members of the ASLR Steering Group and the SLANZA National Executive, we presented the report in a session titled "He Kete Mātauranga: School Libraries in Aotearoa – Research, Impact, and the Path Forward." Our presentation shared key findings and insights from the NZCER report, strengthening SLANZA's role in school library advocacy and research. This report highlights the current state of school libraries in Aotearoa, allowing SLANZA to better advocate for and shape our profession's future. 

Our presence at the ASLA conference felt important. It gave us a platform to share the work being done by SLANZA with a wider audience during the workshop "He Kōrero Tahi: Common Ground and Collective Challenges in Aotearoa’s School Libraries." These two presentation opportunities meant we could highlight the challenges and successes of school libraries in Aotearoa and contribute to the global discussion about the vital role libraries play in education. 

Beyond the presentations, the conference offered chances for networking. We made the most of every interaction. Connecting with Australian colleagues, sharing ideas, and learning from their experiences was enriching. We've found these informal discussions often spark some of the most valuable insights and collaborations. 

The conference was also a good chance for relationship building with ASLA. Strengthening our ties with our Australian counterparts helps both organisations, opening doors for future collaborations, shared resources, and a more unified voice for school libraries across both nations. The collegiality and shared passion for school libraries were clear, creating a sense of community. 

It was also good to have a chance to have a face-to-face catch up with our SLANZA Business Members at the conference. Their continued support is important to our organisation, and being able to speak to them in person provided us with a chance for further engagement and strengthening those partnerships. 

For us, the ASLA conference was a big success for SLANZA. Presenting the NZCER report was a testament to the dedication and hard work of many within our organisation. Our presence allowed us to showcase significant research, build vital relationships, and reinforce SLANZA's critical role in supporting school libraries in New Zealand. We're excited to continue these important conversations and collaborations as we work towards an even brighter future for school libraries. 

Kirsty Adam & Sasha Eastwood