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The future role of the teacher librarian

By Dr James E Herring

Issue 100, Term 1 2017

I began my career as a school librarian in the UK as part of the local public library service. What struck me when I started — and this is still true today — was that my teaching colleagues were expected to teach their subjects, advise students, and complete administrative tasks. As the school libr

How to boost your digital literacy confidence

By Sally Pewhairangi

Issue 106, Term 3 2018

Hands up if you have ever had thoughts like these: I wish I didn’t feel out of my depth when a teacher asks me to find additional sources (such as case studies or videos) for their class assignment. If I was more confident in my presentation skills, I would show other teacher librarians how w

International engagement: the SLAV / IASL partner association program

By Susan La Marca

Issue 106, Term 3 2018

School librarianship is different from country to country. We may share many similar aims and roles, but there are also many differences in our profession around the world. In an age where communication is global, it is important for school librarians to recognise these differences, to learn from e

LIFT: From little things ...

By Madeleine Galbraith and the LIFT team

Issue 108, Term 1 2019

Introduction In 2017, Carmen Lawrence addressed a room full of librarians at the State Library of Western Australia, as the keynote speaker at a conference called Library Leadership — A Celebration. I was keen to hear what the first female state premier in Australia had to say about leadership, a

The writing (and revising) of The innovative school librarian

By Elizabeth Bentley

Issue 111, Term 4 2019

I was one of a group of school librarians, initially composed of students on the MAEd course at Canterbury Christ Church, tutored by Sharon Markless, and later joined by Sarah Pavey. We continued to meet regularly with Sharon to discuss research and other issues related to school librarianship. Sha

School library spotlight: Cerdon college

By Nancy Sylaprany

Issue 124, Term 1 2023

What is your job title, and what does your role entail? My job title is Teacher Librarian and I work with a small team of library support staff to provide the library’s services to our school community at Cerdon College. Our school is a Catholic girls’ high school (years 7–12) located in West Mer

Librarians in the digital age: experts in e-health

By Susan Marshall

Issue 101, Term 2 2017

No one would argue against the perception that librarians have moved well beyond their traditional role. The view of the librarian as the keeper of knowledge and the guide to unlocking the best of it has been totally overthrown — and the disruption metaphor is entirely apt. No longer do we even bl

Is there a place for Artificial Intelligence in the school library?

By Martin Richards

Issue 114, Term 3 2020

What comes to mind when you hear the term ‘Artificial Intelligence’ or AI? Do you think of machines taking over the world, as depicted in the movies? Or, perhaps you question whether or not a computer is even capable of thinking like a human being? On the other hand, you might immediately think of

School libraries transform

By SLANZA (School Library Association of New Zealand Aotearoa)

Issue 115, Term 4 2020

School libraries across New Zealand are supporting a nationwide campaign to ensure that every child has access to a well-resourced library with a specialist librarian who can help them develop a lifelong love of reading. Many children in schools in Aotearoa do not have that right. SLANZA (School Li

School Library Spotlight: St Stephen's School

By Lise Legg

Issue 120, Term 1 2022

1. What is your job title and what does your role entail? My job title is Head of Libraries at St Stephen’s School, which is an independent, co-educational Uniting Church school from Pre-kindergarten to Year 12. The school was established at the Duncraig Campus in 1984 and the Carramar Campus in

New and revised subject headings

By Renate Beilharz

Issue 120, Term 1 2022

New headings Biomimicry Use for works on the imitation of nature in manufacture and design. Cryptocurrencies Use for works on currencies that use cryptography to secure and verify transactions and to control the creation of new currency units. Computational thinking Use for works on pro

School library spotlight: Val Wardley

By Val Wardley

Issue 122, Term 3 2022

What is your job title? What does your role entail? I am the Library Administrator at Clyde Fenton Primary School and Casuarina Street Primary School, which are both in Katherine in the Northern Territory. I have lived and worked in the Northern Territory since 1997, and have spent most of this

School Library Spotlight: Tarneit P-9 College

By Susan Grieve

Issue 128, Term 1 2024

Job title and role As the college librarian for a school that caters for Foundation through to year 9 with more than 2,387 students, Susan Grieve manages two libraries within a single campus. She oversees a broad range of resources catering to diverse age groups, from picture storybooks for young

SCIS is more

By Anthony Shaw

Issue 129, Term 2 2024

Did you know that there is a very special birthday this year? No, I’m not turning 21 again, SCIS is turning 40! That’s right, SCIS has been serving the school library community for four decades this year. Keep an eye on our social media for posts highlighting our rich history and for details about

A world of online distraction

By Resource Centre Manager

Issue 91, Term 4 2014

Students are becoming increasingly distracted and are finding it harder to focus on a task for any length of time. A growing amount of research has indicated that how we use technology and what we pay attention to is affecting the way we think, act, and feel. Could it be possible that technology i

New Zealand school libraries respond to COVID-19

By Glenys Bichan

Issue 114, Term 3 2020

How do you run a school library when no-one can enter it? The lockdown made us all reflect on our practice and on the questions, ‘Who are we?’ and more importantly, ‘Why are we?’ School libraries are a place of transformation for our students and our staff. Students can flourish, grow and explore t

SCIS is more

By Caroline Hartley

Issue 116, Term 1 2021

Welcome to the first issue of Connections for 2021. We are excited to be back for a new school year, and we look forward to engaging with you at upcoming events, via our social media channels and term newsletters, and through our new SCIS Data user surveys. Our strategic priorities for 2021 inclu

Easy access to library services: public and school libraries working together

By Adie Johansen

Issue 116, Term 1 2021

Since 2015 we’ve been modernising our library service for the Manawatū community and embracing change. Our vision is simple: to be ‘the best little library in New Zealand’. A library is more than just an avenue for books. Libraries are community hubs where you can learn, create, feel safe and eng

SCIS is more

By Caroline Hartley

Issue 117, Term 2 2021

Welcome to the Term 2, 2021 issue of Connections. Thank you to everyone who responded to our SCIS User Survey. We appreciate you taking the time to share your ideas on a range of topics that can help us provide better service to the school library community. When reviewing the most searched for

School Library Spotlight: Xavier College, Burke Hall

By Fiona O'Rourke

Issue 119, Term 4 2021

1. What is your job title and what challenges are you facing? I have just commenced at Xavier College, Burke Hall as a part-time teacher librarian for the Middle Years.  Beginning a new job in a school can  be both exciting and daunting. However, when you begin at the commencement of Lockdown