Update on the Aotearoa School Libraries Research Project

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:  

• provide a snapshot of the current number, distribution and types of services provided by school libraries across the motu 
• provide a current evidence base about the impact of effective library services as well as the gaps and challenges in Aotearoa New Zealand. 
• Identify successful strategies and programmes in a range of school libraries to inform future resourcing, practice and policy.  
• be used to engage and influence policymakers, principals, school leadership teams, school boards, teachers and school communities, with the long-term aim to strengthen literacy, learning and wellbeing outcomes, and increase equity, for all young New Zealanders. 

Steering group 
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.
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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
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