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: TOP BOOKS OVERALL  TOP AUTHORS  MOST POPULAR NZ TITLE&nb ..read more

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 ..read more

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 are printable quick guides for public library managers, collections librarians, school librarians, fron ..read more

In January, LIANZA asked SLANZA National Executive to provide content for a briefing paper on issues relating to the library and information sectors in Aotearoa for 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.   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 ..read more

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:  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 p ..read more

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 hel ..read more

​Our annual survey of Aotearoa New Zealand's school libraries is open again. The annual surveys are a project that began in 2018 with partners National Library of New Zealand and Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (LIANZA), with reports on the data spanning 5 years – and growing! The information that you provide gives us insights that help us prioritise, plan, and deliver our services. It’s also very valuable information to HELP US – and YOU! – advocate for school libraries and your role. Over the years, NLNZ Services to Schools have been able to provide information ..read more

During April 2023 we held a ‘discussion’ event in our Facebook Connected Community Group - What is book banning? Has it arrived in Aotearoa and what can we do about it? An online discussion.  Whilst SLANZA doesn’t believe that ‘book banning’ is prevalent in Aotearoa New Zealand we are nonetheless concerned that this serious matter is quickly developing overseas and about the increasing media around this topic. We are mindful that we need to be ready in case these types of challenges increase in the wider library sector here in Aotearoa New Zealand.  Here are the articles, links and ..read more

Questions prepared by LIANZA and SLANZA were sent to New Zealand political parties to answer before the election in October 2023. They included key questions for the sector. We have showcased the school library specific questions and responses below.   You can read all the questions relating to the wider library sector here: 2023 Election questions for library and information sector  Equitable access to school libraries  There is no requirement or specialised funding for schools in Aotearoa New Zealand to provide library spaces, services or staff. This means most students don ..read more

Take part in the 2023 Softlink School Library survey! #2023SLS. The Survey is your opportunity to have a say on the trends and issues facing school libraries and is open to all schools in Aotearoa New Zealand. Survey closes 20 Oct, 2023.  Go to survey or learn more  https://www.softlinkint.com/blog/2023-school-library-survey-australia-and-new-zealand ..read more