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We want articles on how you and your library are helping to build community in your school or further afield. These could be activities within your own library, professional learning development you have attended, or connections you have made with other librarians or organisations. If you have helped to build communities we'd love to hear about it. Submissions are due May 10th, guidelines can be found here. We are looking forward to hearing from you. Lauryn Urquhart-Eaton Collected Editor SLANZA http://www.slanza.org.nz/collected 
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 In December each year, school librarians pool their borrowing statistics to give a snapshot of the books that captured the imagination of Aotearoa New Zealand ākonga. The results of our annual Reading Survey for 2023 are in! Our students have spoken and these are the most popular books and authors read by our students in 2023. It looks like our students were relishing the thrill of murder mysteries alongside some comedy, romance, and books featuring wahine toa.  We surveyed SLANZA members on the following categories:
The survey results can be found on the SLANZA website and can be accessed here Thank you to all of you who contributed to making this survey such a success. Happy Reading! SLANZA are excited to share the following update on the Tertiary Grants fund: ******* LIANZA SLANZA TERTIARY GRANTS Update February 2024 Three funding rounds over 2022 and 2023 have provided grants to over 130 students to complete library and information qualifications. With 97 applications received in the October 2023 round of funding, 54 applications were successful. Over 50% of the grant recipients in this funding round are already working in or expected to work in school libraries. The total NZLPP-funded amount of $ 1.5 million has now been allocated, and no more funding rounds will be held. Students will complete undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications at Open Polytechnic Te Pūkenga, Te Wānanga o Raukawa, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington. The final group of successful applicants are expected to complete their studies in 2028. Of the grant recipients across all three rounds, around 25% are new to the library and information sector, and around 25% identify as Māori or Pasifika. ******* Congratulations to all the recipients who took this incredible opportunity to study tertiary courses in Library studies for free. In November 2020, SLANZA was one of nine organisations invited to submit funding proposals from the New Zealand Libraries Partnership Programme’s strategic partnership grants (NZLPP). These grants were offered as a response to Covid-19 to support the upskilling and strengthening of the library sector. In our proposal to seek tertiary funding support for school librarians, we emphasised that by removing the barrier of tuition costs, the initiative would enable equitable access to library and information qualifications. When assessing applicants for these grant rounds, it became obvious how school librarians were adversely affected by the costs of tertiary courses. Therefore, offering free library courses is a huge benefit to our sector, and we are thrilled to have achieved this. Find out more about the LIANZA SLANZA Tertiary Grants project here. The tertiary funding proposal presented to NZLPP also stated these outcomes: Knowledge, capabilities and confidence gained through tertiary qualifications will strengthen our school library sector, enabling graduates to manage a high-functioning school library that will positively impact student learning and well-being in literacy and information literacy, web evaluation and critical thinking skills. This will improve literacy levels and digital skills capabilities to benefit the country. Feedback and experiences shared by recipients have highlighted their increased knowledge, capabilities and confidence. The benefits are shown for their schools and themselves. This is a valuable outcome of these tertiary grants. Lastly, the tertiary funding proposal expressed that a strengthened sector workforce will raise the profile of the vital role of school librarians in Aotearoa schools. Graduates of these grants will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to effectively manage school libraries, thereby elevating the standards and perceptions of our profession. This is very rewarding for National Executive members working towards these outcomes from 2020. We wish all the recipients of these LIANZA SLANZA Tertiary Grants the best with their studies. We thank Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa National Library of New Zealand for supporting our sector with these tertiary grants and LIANZA for partnering with us to achieve these fantastic outcomes.  Recipient Victoria Elisara. Credit V. Elisara In December 2023 we shared information with members about undertaking a research project to provide evidence of the value and impact of school libraries, particularly on literacy for young people in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The project is a collaboration with the National Library’s Services to Schools and the New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER). The research will:
We’ve established a steering group who will work closely with NZCER throughout the project. SLANZA representatives: Sasha Eastwood (Steering Group Chairperson, SLANZA Central / Immediate Past President | Leonie Grigsby (WaiBOP) | Kirsty Adam (Southland) National Library Services to Schools representatives: Elizabeth Jones | Kate Irvine | Miriam Tuohy Contact us via [email protected] if you have any specific questions for this steering group. How you can be involved Part 1 of the research project will begin this term with a survey of schools. We encourage all our members to make sure your contact information is up-to-date on our records and with the National Library’s Services to Schools team, so that we can send you an invitation to participate in this project. Contact your local SLANZA NE Rep if you think your membership details need updating. Project updates We'll share updates about the project throughout the year. Click here to see all project updates  Image credit: https://uniteagainstbookbans.org/  The LIANZA Freedom-to-Read toolkit is a new resource for people working in library and information services. It will help them with the issues of book challenges and mis/dis information in their libraries.
The toolkit helps library staff prepare for challenges by providing information on the New Zealand context and legislation involved in this area. It helps identify the policies and processes libraries should have.
There will be a series of webinars on the topics in the toolkit, starting with an introduction to the toolkit on February 27. Register here for this > SLANZA was pleased to be involved in the development of this resource as part of the project working group. Click here to read the Quick Guide for School Library Staff. In December 2023, LIANZA asked SLANZA National Executive to provide content for a briefing paper on issues relating to the library and information sectors in Aotearoa that was presented to our new Minister of Education, Hon Erica Stanford, as well as three other Ministers, Hon Simeon Brown, Hon Brooke van Velden, and Hon Paul Goldsmith, this month. As key stakeholders in the library and information sector. LIANZA, SLANZA and PLNZ wrote this briefing paper to introduce new MP's to our organisations and identify key areas affecting our library and information members. We are pleased that SLANZA’s voice was present in this important communication to the Ministers to inform them of the work of SLANZA, and the critical role of school libraries and librarians in the education sector. You can read this briefing paper here in full. The following text is some of the school library-relevant sections in the briefing paper: EQUITABLE ACCESS TO SCHOOL LIBRARIES
2 https://natlib.govt.nz/schools/school-libraries/understanding-school-libraries/school-libraries-in-aotearoanz-survey-reports/school-libraries-in-aotearoa-new-zealand-2022 3 https://theeducationhub.org.nz/school-libraries-as-safe-spaces-promoting-literacy-and-wellbeing/ 4 https://www.nzcer.org.nz/nzcerpress/curriculum-matters/articles/under-recognised-underused-andundervalued-school-libraries  Public and school librarians, teachers, booksellers, award-winning authors and illustrators, as well as passionate advocates of te reo Māori and te ao Māori, make up the two panels appointed to judge entries in the 2024 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.
Wānaka secondary school and public librarian Maia Bennett (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Tūwharetoa), who was a judge of the 2023 awards, will convene the English and bilingual panel in 2024. She is joined by literacy teacher Belinda Whyte of Levin, Dorothy Butler Children’s Bookshop co-owner Helen Wadsworth of Tāmaki Makaurau, bestselling author and publisher Kitty Brown (Kāi Tahu, Waitaha, Kāti Mamoe, Ngāti Kahungunu) of Ōtepoti, and award-winning illustrator, author and artist Mat Tait (Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Rangitāne o Wairau, Ngāti Kuia), who is based in the Motueka area. Mat was the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year winner at the 2023 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, and will bring his knowledge of te ao Māori and te reo Māori to both the English/bilingual and Te Kura Pounamu judging panels. Maia says she was delighted to be asked to return as convenor this year. “It is such a privilege to be part of this important mahi celebrating our local literature for children and young adults. This year’s panel of judges bring a wide range of expertise and experiences in a variety of fields, while sharing a passion for books and reading,” she says. “We look forward to the collaboration and spirited discussion that will no doubt ensue as we deliberate to collectively determine the very best children’s books from a highly competitive and innovative field of entries.” The panel judging the Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Award for books written or translated into te reo Māori will be convened in 2024 by experienced librarian Lawren Matrix (Tūhoe), who is the Whānau Learning Specialist for Auckland Council Libraries. In addition to Mat Tait, she is joined by kaitiaki pukapuka Mihi Te Rina Henare (Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui), who works at Archives New Zealand in Tāmaki Makaurau, and support teacher and entrepreneur Quintin Te Maari (Ngāti Porou, Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa). “This year’s kaiwhiriwhiri for Te Kura Pounamu award offer a breadth of skills, knowledge of te ao Māori, and belief in the importance of reading for literacy,” says Lawren. “We come from various backgrounds in arts, education, information management and business, which will bring a depth and richness to the judging process. Mihi Te Rina and I have had the privilege of serving on this panel previously, and we welcome Mat and Quintin into the space. I look forward to working alongside these talented fellow judges, who all share my passion for our culture and reo, and for books.” The 2024 judges will read and appraise an expected 160 or more entries in six categories: Picture Book, Junior Fiction (the Wright Family Foundation Esther Glen Award), Young Adult Fiction, Non-Fiction (the Elsie Locke Award), Illustration (the Russell Clark Award) and te reo Māori (the Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Award). They will select up to five finalists in each category, as well as up to five finalists for the NZSA Best First Book Award, and then a winner in each category. The overall winner, the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year, will be decided by both panels from the six main category winners. Submissions for the 2024 awards are open to books published between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024. The first deadline, for books published up to 30 November 2023, is Wednesday 13 December 2023. Entries for books published between 1 December 2023 and 31 March 2024 will be accepted from Thursday 14 December. More details about how to enter can be found here: http://www.nzbookawards.nz/new-zealand-book-awards-for-children-and-young-adults/how-to-enter/ Category finalists will be announced on 6 June 2024 and the awards ceremony will be held in Wellington in mid-August 2024, preceded by a programme of finalist author events under the Books Alive banner. The New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults are governed by the New Zealand Book Awards Trust Te Ohu Tiaki i Te Rau Hiringa. They are made possible through the generosity, commitment and vision of funders and sponsors Creative New Zealand, HELL Pizza, Wright Family Foundation, LIANZA Te Rau Herenga o Aotearoa, Wellington City Council, The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa, and Nielsen BookData. For more information about the 2024 judges, see below or go here: http://www.nzbookawards.nz/new-zealand-book-awards-for-children-and-young-adults/2024-awards/judges/ Any queries about the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults should be directed to Awards Administrator Joy Sellen at [email protected]. Social Media Links Website: www.nzbookawards.nz/new-zealand-book-awards-for-children-and-young-adults/ Facebook: NewZealandCYABookAwards Instagram: nzcya_awards X (formerly Twitter): nzcya TikTok: nzcya_awards YouTube: bit.ly/YouTube-NZCYA Hashtags: #NZCYA #BooksAlive 2024 JUDGES Convenor of judges Maia Bennett (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) is a secondary school and public librarian in Wānaka. A lifelong library lover, Maia’s professional path has traversed information technology, academic research and early childhood education, with all roads leading to librarianship. Knowing the vital role of school libraries in fostering literacy and wellbeing, Maia strives to provide a diverse and inclusive collection of books so students can see themselves and learn about others. Maia was a judge of the 2023 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. Belinda Whyte is the Resource Teacher of Literacy for the Horowhenua region, based in Levin, a job that allows her to indulge her passion for books while supporting young students on their literacy learning journey. Belinda is national secretary of the New Zealand Literacy Association, and as president of the Manawatū chapter she was instrumental in organising a Reading for Pleasure Festival in Palmerston North in 2023. Belinda recently completed a Master of Education that centred on students’ online book discussions. Helen Wadsworth has co-owned and managed The Dorothy Butler Children’s Bookshop in Tāmaki Makaurau for the last eight years. Her roles at the shop include book buying, marketing and of course recommending books to customers. Helen has read thousands of books, from many genres, for children of all ages. She particularly loves the familiarity of books set in Aotearoa by local writers and illustrators. Kitty Brown (Kāi Tahu, Waitaha, Kāti Mamoe, Ngāti Kahungunu) is a māmā, an award-winning author and an avid reader of children's literature from Ōtepoti. Her successful publishing partnership Reo Pēpi has 10 bestselling bilingual children's titles. Professionally Kitty is focused on elevating Kāi Tahu culture and te ao Māori in her community across diverse storytelling mediums including events, architecture, film and visual art. In 2023 she was Festival Director for the Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival. Ko Kurahaupō te waka i kawe ai i ōku tupuna ki Aotearoa, nō tāwhiti rā anō. Mat Tait (Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Rangitāne o Wairau, Ngāti Kuia) is a freelance artist, illustrator, writer and te reo Māori tutor based in the Motueka area. With a Bachelor in Fine Art in painting from Ilam School of Arts, his illustrations and comics work reflect a longstanding interest in pūrākau, mythology and local history. Mat won the Elsie Locke Non-Fiction Award and the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year at the 2023 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults for Te Wehenga. Mat will bring his knowledge of te ao Māori and te reo Māori to both the English language and Te Kura Pounamu judging panels. Ko te Tāhūhū o Haokitaha te Mauna, Ko Ōhinemataroa te Awa, Ko Mārini-a-wai te Kōawa, Ko Te Papakaina te Marae, Ko Nāti Koura te Hapū, Ko Tūhoe te iwi. He tanata ō Nāti Koura tēnei e kirikawa ki te Rākau. Convenor of Te Kura Pounamu award panel for 2024 Lawren Matrix (Tūhoe) is the Whānau Learning Specialist for Auckland Council Libraries. A lifelong lover of libraries, cultivator of knowledge and advocate for the power of storytelling, Lawren has dedicated her career to advancing literacy, social and academic outcomes for Māori – a nod to her upbringing in Kawerau and schooling at St Joseph’s Māori Girls’ College. Lawren has a Bachelor of Māori Education from Te Wānanga o Awanuiārangi. She previously judged Te Kura Pounamu award in 2016. Nō ngā Pukepuke Rau o Ngāti Hine a Mihi Te Rina, heoi, i tupu ake i ngā rekereke o ngā tini iwi o te rohe o Tāmaki Makaurau. Mihi Te Rina Henare (Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui) is an Assistant Support Archivist at Archives New Zealand in Tāmaki Makaurau. A raukura of Te Aho Matua, with a Bachelor of Library and Information Studies, she has a passion for te reo Māori me ōna tikanga, and is excited about the future of pukapuka Māori and a landscape that will encourage more Māori to become writers and storytellers. Mihi Te Rina was a judge on the 2023 Te Kura Pounamu panel. He uri tēnei nō Ngāti Porou, Tūhoe, nō Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa anō hoki. Quintin Te Maari (Ngāti Porou, Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa) is undertaking a teaching degree through Te Wānanga Takiura o ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Aotearoa. He is a raukura of Ngā Kura-ā-iwi, and has a deep passion for storytelling and literature. Quintin has served as Cultural Lead at the Manurewa Youth Council and as a Youth MP for Youth Parliament 2022. He is the co-founder of Tukuna, a company using QR-coded technology to enhance Māori education, which he set up through the Young Enterprise Scheme.  Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2023 Softlink Aotearoa New Zealand School Library Survey.
The 2023 the Softlink School Library Survey was released September 11 and closed November 3. Invitations to participate were extended to all schools in Aotearoa New Zealand via email, X (formerly known as Twitter), LinkedIn and promoted by a number of our partners, associates, and school library groups. Some preliminary findings are available below. The full report is due to be released in early 2024. 2023 School Library Survey Aotearoa New Zealand – preliminary findings – Softlink (softlinkint.com) The School Library Association of New Zealand Aotearoa, together with National Library Services to Schools, are undertaking a research project to provide evidence of the value and impact of school libraries, particularly on literacy for young people in Aotearoa New Zealand. The research will:
The next update for this project is due January 2024. We are delighted to share with you next years SLANZA Wall Planner. We would like to acknowledge the businesses and organisations who have generously sponsored the development and printing of this stunning resource. SLANZA members are able to receive an A2 printed copy from their SLANZA National Executive Regional Representative. Please make contact with them to arrange this. This resource has once again been created with award-winning illustrator Paul Beavis to include the Aotearoa New Zealand public holidays, school terms and many school library related awareness dates that could be helpful to school library teams as they plan the year ahead. You can find out more and download this resource here.  |
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