"Pool of talent" - we need your help

We are looking for volunteers for SLANZA projects!

The SLANZA Executive is busy working on a number of projects for our members, but there are only a few of us, and we know that out in the school library community there are a large number of talented people in the regions, who might be interested in helping out on our projects.  To that end, we would like to offer the opportunity to contribute, to get involved, to help out and give a little to the school library community of New Zealand.  We will call this the SLANZA Pool of Talent!

The National Exec work really hard for you, but they have limited time, have portfolios full of work, and would like to make things happen a little faster than they would otherwise.  

These are the areas where we could use your help:

Collected:  We want articles from which your colleagues will glean ideas:

• pictures of real live stuff going on in your library with stories to go with them, 
  
• photos of students engaging with learning in your library, again with stories to go with them.  
  
• Stories of exciting things you are doing; ideas others might use.  
  
• Interesting events you have held in your library - again with photos.  
  

Contacts:  Do you have connections that SLANZA can use? Perhaps you have connections at the Ministry of Education, in the publishing industry in other industries which may be of help to your fellow librarians?  What can you do to share the news about school libraries in New Zealand?

Are you good with internet projects?  Do you have ICT skills to burn?  Could you work on a team developing new resources to help upskill your colleagues?  Could you take on a project for us and work as part of the SLANZA team?  You won’t get paid but the feeling of satisfaction is great.

Can you teach new tricks?  Are you good at teaching people new tricks?  Are you comfortable sharing your skills?

Design or photography skills?  Do you have experience using design or imaging software (e.g. Indesign or Photoshop)?  Are you good at photography?  Do you have skills which we could use for making professional posters, bookmarks or other cool products? Then we would like to hear from you. Take a look at this or this to get an idea of what we mean.

Research skills?  Are you planning a Phd?  A Masters?  We would love you to hear from anyone undertaking library studies who might be interested in researching school libraries in New Zealand.  We would love you to find links between reading and achievement.  How to make inquiry learning really work in a school library.  What do successful school librarians offer?   What makes a successful school librarian?  Evidence of school libraries as vital to the educational achievement of our students.  

Have you revalidated?   Could you share your learning journal as an exemplar.  Could you organise meetings in your local area for sharing your learning and experiences.

Know an author?  Do you have a tame author that people in your region can have in their schools?  Or who would write something for SLANZA.

Other?  Do you have other skills you can offer us?  As our organisation grows and we endeavour to offer more services to our members and engage more with the community you may have something extra to offer.  Tell us about it.

There may be things we have missed here. Things you know you could offer.  Get in contact with us. Send an email to SLANZA ([email protected]) and detail your skills and talents and we will put you on our database of skill providers, and organise some teams of talent.

If you’d like to find out more, or you’re ready to offer your help now, please contact Miriam ([email protected]) or Bridget ([email protected]).