The Year Starts...

Kia Ora to all School Librarians from SLANZA
 
2021 is now a real thing, I haven't written the date down much until last week when I started work.

The year had started with a big boom as I look at my school "to do" list. It is massive.

I love the African proverb which is a bit un PC but as I look at my little china elephant my mum gave me and is in on my desk, I ask it's forgiveness..
"You can only eat an elephant one bite at a time".  It is true, one job at one time, bit by bit, we will get the mahi done.

I hope most of you have come back with budgets approved and hours secure. Please let me know if you have had any surprises with the opposite happening, and if you need support if you have experienced any reductions, SLANZA is here to  journey with you. Let us know.
 
This year is conference year in Wellington, and I can't wait to gather again. We have a big celebration of our 21st birthday and so much amazing PD to enjoy. Best of all.... We will be together.
 
School Libraries Transform will be centre of the year as we continue to hustle to protect our school libraries, as we advocate, as we listen, as we talk. Our first online PD for the year will be a repeat of the School Libraries Transform course we ran last year and were over subscribed! Sign up if you want the kaupapa and knowledge of what this is all about.
 
We are working very closely with the Ministry of Education regarding our story and our campaign has been the conjoint for this.  We are working in a great research project with them together, the first time in SLANZA history.  We hope it makes a genuine difference in keeping our libraries safe.
 
We wish you a good year, go to your regional PD days, our one in Waikato/BOP in March is going to be stunning, we have the newest Margaret Mahy award recipient speaking!!
 
Join up to SLANZA, get involved, and help us all become amazing at supporting our tamariki's learning and literacy journeys.
 
I believe in school libraries, not because it is a job that is school hours and has long holidays, no, I am a school librarian because I know we can  make a difference to the lives of children and staff. We can impact our people for good, we can together give some hope, confidence, meaning and reason to the communities we work in.

That is what drives me, and I want to be the best I can at that. 
 
Ma te wa
 
Glenys Bichan
Library Manager
SLANZA President 2020/21