School Library Association celebrates 10 years

Last Friday saw a celebration to mark the 10 year milestone in the history of SLANZA (school library association of New Zealand Aotearoa) held at the impressive new National Library Auckland centre with a video link to the National Library Christchurch.

A gathering of current and ex SLANZA executive and SLANZA members, school library staff from all around the country along with National Library staff - including Penny Carnaby, National Librarian.

There were reflections from people involved in the establishment and ongoing development of SLANZA including all the past presidents. And it was recalled that only 10 years ago, there was no national school library association in New Zealand.
Much has been achieved in the past10 years but with much still to do to position school libraries as critical and central to students learning in the 21st century….

Guest speaker Graham Beattie (above with Christcurch participants on screen in background) inspired us by speaking about his own development as a reader and the incredible power of books and reading to shape a life…
The audience gained great pleasure in recognising the many childrens books and authors he spoke of, and his description of the pleasures of a shared reading heritage.
And we loved his quote - "books leave an indelible mark on who we are and who we will become".