We all know change is constant and we now live in a time of exponential change. There are few professions that have been unaffected by these changes and school librarianship is no exception. Professional development (PD) is a necessary response to these rapid changes.
Professional development enables us to maintain and improve our technical knowledge, professional skills and competencies. We have seen a number of instances in recent times where school librarian positions have been threatened. PD is an important way to support the viability of our changing roles both within our schools and publicly. It is important to keep abreast of the developments in the field of school librarianship and meet the challenges that face our profession.
SLANZA is committed to providing you with professional development opportunities to develop your potential and keep up with the rapid changes in school libraries. Since its inception, SLANZA has offered opportunities for learning through both formal and informal networking events. We would like a better understanding of your professional development needs so that we can make informed decisions as to the content and delivery methods of future professional development programmes.
Please take a few minutes to answer the questions in this anonymous survey - your responses are important to us. SLANZA looks forward to providing you with relevant and good quality opportunities that support your professional development.
Bharathi Char
Monday, March 19, 2012
Professional Development Survey
In an attempt to gather information on our members' needs regarding Professional Development, SLANZA National Executive has prepared a survey to gauge your specific needs.
To make sure you contribute to us providing the best opportunities we can, please take just a couple of minutes of your time to fill out the survey by clicking on this link http://goo.gl/TGF@Y
We value all feedback and will use it to guide us in our work both regionally and nationally.
To make sure you contribute to us providing the best opportunities we can, please take just a couple of minutes of your time to fill out the survey by clicking on this link http://goo.gl/TGF@Y
We value all feedback and will use it to guide us in our work both regionally and nationally.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Latest news from National Executive
National Executive meeting 3 March 2012
The National Executive team met this weekend, partly in Wellington as originally planned, and partly online via Skype. Fiona suffered an injury to her foot just over a week ago, so was planning to chair the meeting from a comfortable chair at home, and Senga and I were affected by flight cancellations related to the weather 'bomb' that hit the North Island over the weekend. So it was an interesting experiment, one that we had been talking about trialling as an alternative to some face-to-face meetings anyway. On the face of it, as you will see from the following update, we still managed to cover a lot of ground, and we will be evaluating the experience as one way to potentially save costs. So here goes!
Advocacy
We have the opportunity to bring Dr Ross Todd to New Zealand in July to deliver his one day seminar on evidence-based practice. Fiona will be going out to the listserv for feedback tomorrow, so please respond to that message so that we can make our decision based on the feedback we receive. It is not a cheap or simple exercise to bring seminars or experts like Todd to our shores, so we will be relying on solid feedback from members before making this decision.
The advocacy templates that are being prepared by the Advocacy team are almost ready to go up on the SLANZA website. Letters to Principals, BOTs, and others, advocating for school libraries, are in their final draft form and will be with NE members shortly for final feedback. They will be on the website by the end of this term.
Professional development
Conference planning is progressing nicely, the over-arching idea has been established, the underlying themes pulled out, and the venue is booked. A wish-list of presenters and keynote speakers is waiting in the wings for follow-up. Look for major announcements coming very soon via the website, listserv and regional communication channels. Well done to the hard-working Wellington team.
The final draft of the professional development survey received its last tweaks this weekend, and will be embedded on the website on 19 March. This will be widely publicised. We encourage you to spend a few minutes completing the survey so that we can see where the gaps and needs for professional development are, and work with you to seek or provide appropriate training and resources.
Communications
Planning for the next issue of Collected is well in hand, and a final call for contributions will be issued in the second week of March. It will be published early in Term Two, and is on the theme of content curation.
Miriam shared the progress she has made with the next stage of our website upgrade, and it is looking really good. This upgrade will allow more people to contribute to upkeep, thereby spreading the load, and helping to protect our organisation from risk as NE members step down from the role.
Discussions about the wiki and its place in our communications strategy have begun in earnest, and some initial decisions have been made. Key players in the wiki scene will be approached to be involved in the work that is planned. Expect more on this soon.
Several blog posts have been scheduled for the remainder of this term so make sure that you are subscribed so that you don't miss these updates.
Business
The hardworking business portfolio team are nearing completion on the business membership project. Watch for an announcement on the listserv very soon. Discussion about life memberships is continuing, and a resolution has been made that SLANZA will be reinstating annual awards. These will be given at conference, as has been the practice in recent years, and we will resume the practice of giving awards at the AGM in the intervening year. Again, watch for announcements on the website, blog and listserv.
The National Executive will meet again, probably in July, depending on decisions made about the Dr Ross Todd seminars. If you would like more information about any of the matters mentioned here, please contact your regional representative. Their contact details can be found on the SLANZA website.
Kind regards
Donna Watt
Communications Leader
The National Executive team met this weekend, partly in Wellington as originally planned, and partly online via Skype. Fiona suffered an injury to her foot just over a week ago, so was planning to chair the meeting from a comfortable chair at home, and Senga and I were affected by flight cancellations related to the weather 'bomb' that hit the North Island over the weekend. So it was an interesting experiment, one that we had been talking about trialling as an alternative to some face-to-face meetings anyway. On the face of it, as you will see from the following update, we still managed to cover a lot of ground, and we will be evaluating the experience as one way to potentially save costs. So here goes!
Advocacy
We have the opportunity to bring Dr Ross Todd to New Zealand in July to deliver his one day seminar on evidence-based practice. Fiona will be going out to the listserv for feedback tomorrow, so please respond to that message so that we can make our decision based on the feedback we receive. It is not a cheap or simple exercise to bring seminars or experts like Todd to our shores, so we will be relying on solid feedback from members before making this decision.
The advocacy templates that are being prepared by the Advocacy team are almost ready to go up on the SLANZA website. Letters to Principals, BOTs, and others, advocating for school libraries, are in their final draft form and will be with NE members shortly for final feedback. They will be on the website by the end of this term.
Professional development
Conference planning is progressing nicely, the over-arching idea has been established, the underlying themes pulled out, and the venue is booked. A wish-list of presenters and keynote speakers is waiting in the wings for follow-up. Look for major announcements coming very soon via the website, listserv and regional communication channels. Well done to the hard-working Wellington team.
The final draft of the professional development survey received its last tweaks this weekend, and will be embedded on the website on 19 March. This will be widely publicised. We encourage you to spend a few minutes completing the survey so that we can see where the gaps and needs for professional development are, and work with you to seek or provide appropriate training and resources.
Communications
Planning for the next issue of Collected is well in hand, and a final call for contributions will be issued in the second week of March. It will be published early in Term Two, and is on the theme of content curation.
Miriam shared the progress she has made with the next stage of our website upgrade, and it is looking really good. This upgrade will allow more people to contribute to upkeep, thereby spreading the load, and helping to protect our organisation from risk as NE members step down from the role.
Discussions about the wiki and its place in our communications strategy have begun in earnest, and some initial decisions have been made. Key players in the wiki scene will be approached to be involved in the work that is planned. Expect more on this soon.
Several blog posts have been scheduled for the remainder of this term so make sure that you are subscribed so that you don't miss these updates.
Business
The hardworking business portfolio team are nearing completion on the business membership project. Watch for an announcement on the listserv very soon. Discussion about life memberships is continuing, and a resolution has been made that SLANZA will be reinstating annual awards. These will be given at conference, as has been the practice in recent years, and we will resume the practice of giving awards at the AGM in the intervening year. Again, watch for announcements on the website, blog and listserv.
The National Executive will meet again, probably in July, depending on decisions made about the Dr Ross Todd seminars. If you would like more information about any of the matters mentioned here, please contact your regional representative. Their contact details can be found on the SLANZA website.
Kind regards
Donna Watt
Communications Leader
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
SLANZA Central PD day
We are very excited to bring you the details of our fantastic day of professional learning and networking, to be held on Saturday 17th of March, at Te Manawa, in Palmerston North. We have secured some wonderful speakers:
All this, plus lunch, for only $20 (SLANZA members) or $30 for non-members. So mark the date in your diary now, you won’t want to miss it!
Included here are the schedule for the day, including information about the speakers, and a registration form:
Central Region SLANZA Day 2012 (pdf)
SLANZA Day registration form (Word document)
For catering purposes, we ask that you please complete the registration form and return your info to Joyce Richards at Nga Tawa by the 7th of March (richardsjoyce@ngatawa.school.nz)
If you’d like any further information, please contact either Miriam or Joyce directly.
- Donna Watt, Technical Services Manager at Invercargill City Libraries and also SLANZA’s Communications team leader
Donna will be our keynote speaker, and will continue sharing her skills and knowledge during a workshop session later in the day. Donna’s sessions at last year’s SLANZA conference were hugely popular, really inspirational, and full of practical ideas that you can put to use right away in your library.
- Paul du Temple from Wheelers
Paul will be demonstrating and sharing details of their eBook platform. Don’t miss this face-to-face opportunity to keep up with what’s happening on the eBook front for school libraries in NZ.
- Warwick Taylor, Digital Services Librarian at Palmerston North City Library
Warwick will be presenting a “Technology Playground”, showcasing a range of electronic devices and how these can be used in the library.
All this, plus lunch, for only $20 (SLANZA members) or $30 for non-members. So mark the date in your diary now, you won’t want to miss it!
Included here are the schedule for the day, including information about the speakers, and a registration form:
Central Region SLANZA Day 2012 (pdf)
SLANZA Day registration form (Word document)
For catering purposes, we ask that you please complete the registration form and return your info to Joyce Richards at Nga Tawa by the 7th of March (richardsjoyce@ngatawa.school.nz)
If you’d like any further information, please contact either Miriam or Joyce directly.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
February 22nd 2011
Today Christchurch, we are with you more than ever before - in our hearts, memories, thoughts and prayers. We think of those who have lost loved ones, homes, possessions, livelihoods, their way of life and peace of mind, and hope that one day the pain will lessen and ease.
We will stand with you in silence at 12.51 now and always.
Kia kaha Christchurch and arohanui to our library whanau.
We will stand with you in silence at 12.51 now and always.
Kia kaha Christchurch and arohanui to our library whanau.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
A great blog post from a Principal who actively supports literacy
Hello to those of you who are back on deck. This is going to be the year for school library advocacy, I can feel it in my bones! Here's a great way to start your year. Share this Principal's blog post with your Principal on the first day back.
The writer is a school principal who makes it his business to walk the talk of literacy. He is a reader, knows it and shows it, and expects his teachers to be readers, too. How can we expect kids to be readers and life-long learners if we don't ALL model those behaviours every day?
If literacy is identified as a priority in your school, you could use a blog post like this to get the conversation started, and perhaps ask that your Principal supports you by choosing something from this list that he or she could do. It might be that you make the approach by having an outline of the ways that you model your commitment to literacy and ask the Principal's advice on how that might be extended to staff, using the examples from the blog post. Or you might approach it by creating your own list of suggestions, and ask that the Principal, your TLR or a literacy leader in the school works with you to explore ways to bring staff and the school community on board.
Maybe you could use this example as a template for the first of your regular contributions to the school newsletter, offering families some ideas about how they can support literacy at home. This is the perfect time of year to explain to families that, unless their children spent time reading over the summer, they will have lost ground on their reading scores - again, the perfect start to a conversation.
Any of these methods would allow you to present yourself as a leader in your school, which is the best first step in library advocacy. So put your shy and modest self back in the closet, and choose the new, assertive, confident and professional version instead. L'Oreal says it best - You're worth it. Now show the world what you have to offer.
All the best for 2012
Our year of advocacy
Donna Watt
The writer is a school principal who makes it his business to walk the talk of literacy. He is a reader, knows it and shows it, and expects his teachers to be readers, too. How can we expect kids to be readers and life-long learners if we don't ALL model those behaviours every day?
If literacy is identified as a priority in your school, you could use a blog post like this to get the conversation started, and perhaps ask that your Principal supports you by choosing something from this list that he or she could do. It might be that you make the approach by having an outline of the ways that you model your commitment to literacy and ask the Principal's advice on how that might be extended to staff, using the examples from the blog post. Or you might approach it by creating your own list of suggestions, and ask that the Principal, your TLR or a literacy leader in the school works with you to explore ways to bring staff and the school community on board.
Maybe you could use this example as a template for the first of your regular contributions to the school newsletter, offering families some ideas about how they can support literacy at home. This is the perfect time of year to explain to families that, unless their children spent time reading over the summer, they will have lost ground on their reading scores - again, the perfect start to a conversation.
Any of these methods would allow you to present yourself as a leader in your school, which is the best first step in library advocacy. So put your shy and modest self back in the closet, and choose the new, assertive, confident and professional version instead. L'Oreal says it best - You're worth it. Now show the world what you have to offer.
All the best for 2012
Our year of advocacy
Donna Watt
Thursday, December 8, 2011
The Dreaded Stock Take and End of Year Reporting
Since I’ve been in the library at my school I’ve been working towards streamlining the stock take process here.
The first thing l did was relabel the entire library as the barcodes were inside the back cover of the books, meaning each book had to be taken off the shelf and opened to scan, what a waste of time! I used relabeling as an opportunity to look at the collection, weed and recover those in need, so it took me over a year to complete.
Secondly I looked at the timing of stocktake. I felt that if I could get the scanning out of the way sooner, I’d be able to work on reports and trying to find “missing” books. I had heard of school’s who did theirs during break between terms 2 and 3, but my EO wouldn’t allow this as the timing would effect the stock value. So, I have slowly worked back from Week 9 and this week completed in Week 5, phew this really takes the pressure off making- me a much happier and less stressed library manager.
Now because I am not rushed or stressed I have time to actually look at all the statistics my library programme can produce. What a wonderful resource. I just looked at borrowing by year level and by sex, then I worked out the average borrowed and found that the girls borrow 62% of all issues. This is interesting and leaves me with questions and the possibility of setting targets/goals around the information. There are stats to support me in many ways now that I have time to analyze them properly and I can share with departments in a positive way. Used strategically the results could increase support from teachers and promote the value of the library and it’s contribution to student achievement.
Next I am starting on my annual report to the BOT, without the rush. I try to make my reports relevant, informative and readable. The key is to make it as short as possible but to jam pack all the information I want to share and celebrate. I use graphs, photos and try and relate to schools goals and strategic plan. I want the BOT to see how relevant and worthwhile my work is and I want them to know that the investment they make in the library is paying off in many useful ways.
This year I did research on NZ school library reporting and there were two notable things I learned. Firstly don’t write a book, no one will read it. Boards are bogged down enough with important bits to read, if you want to make an impact make it short and to the point. Secondly, no matter what your school expects do not write a short breezy letter, take the time to report properly, never complain and try to relate your information to the school’s goals.
Enough from me, I’m off to impress my BOT and make them happy to have me looking after their library and using it to improve student achievement as much as I can.
Lisa Salter
Te Tai Tokerau National Executive Representative
Ruawai College Library Manager
The first thing l did was relabel the entire library as the barcodes were inside the back cover of the books, meaning each book had to be taken off the shelf and opened to scan, what a waste of time! I used relabeling as an opportunity to look at the collection, weed and recover those in need, so it took me over a year to complete.
Secondly I looked at the timing of stocktake. I felt that if I could get the scanning out of the way sooner, I’d be able to work on reports and trying to find “missing” books. I had heard of school’s who did theirs during break between terms 2 and 3, but my EO wouldn’t allow this as the timing would effect the stock value. So, I have slowly worked back from Week 9 and this week completed in Week 5, phew this really takes the pressure off making- me a much happier and less stressed library manager.
Now because I am not rushed or stressed I have time to actually look at all the statistics my library programme can produce. What a wonderful resource. I just looked at borrowing by year level and by sex, then I worked out the average borrowed and found that the girls borrow 62% of all issues. This is interesting and leaves me with questions and the possibility of setting targets/goals around the information. There are stats to support me in many ways now that I have time to analyze them properly and I can share with departments in a positive way. Used strategically the results could increase support from teachers and promote the value of the library and it’s contribution to student achievement.
Next I am starting on my annual report to the BOT, without the rush. I try to make my reports relevant, informative and readable. The key is to make it as short as possible but to jam pack all the information I want to share and celebrate. I use graphs, photos and try and relate to schools goals and strategic plan. I want the BOT to see how relevant and worthwhile my work is and I want them to know that the investment they make in the library is paying off in many useful ways.
This year I did research on NZ school library reporting and there were two notable things I learned. Firstly don’t write a book, no one will read it. Boards are bogged down enough with important bits to read, if you want to make an impact make it short and to the point. Secondly, no matter what your school expects do not write a short breezy letter, take the time to report properly, never complain and try to relate your information to the school’s goals.
Enough from me, I’m off to impress my BOT and make them happy to have me looking after their library and using it to improve student achievement as much as I can.
Lisa Salter
Te Tai Tokerau National Executive Representative
Ruawai College Library Manager
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