Travelling Librarian 2017



Travelling Librarian2017New ZealandSara PritchardShropshire School Library ServiceVisitsAucklandNational LibraryBailey Road SchoolSylvia Park SchoolRangitoto SchoolWhangaparaoa SchoolRed Beach SchoolKingsway School Junior CampusCentral City LibraryDevonport LibraryTupu Dawson Road LibraryToia Otahuhu LibraryWellingtonKarroi Normal WestRaroa IntermediateWellington GirlsRedwood PrimaryTawa Intermediate & CollegeWellington Central LibraryChristchurchVilla Maria SchoolHeaton SchoolChisnallwood IntermediateRawhiti SchoolRiccarton School & Public LibraryNew Central LibraryHalswell Centre Te HapuaSouth LibraryKaipoi Library & National LibraryTravelling Librarian November 2017- New ZealandIntroductionI chose to visit New Zealand, as there have been a number of recent initiatives in libraries and the education community. The New Zealand Government has actively encouraged schools to look at flexible learning spaces and examine library spaces. The earthquake in Christchurch has also affected library development and reorganisation of schools, through meeting challenges there has been a chance for innovation. Also as a librarian in a traded School Library Service, I wanted the opportunity to learn more about how the National Library of New Zealand works and importantly offers a free national service to schools.My main objectives for my visits were therefore:To Identify successful joint use libraries, between schools and communities and use of Learning Centres Learn about Modern Learning Environments and identify how central the school library is in planning new or redeveloping schools. Learn about the educational system in the New Zealand and effect of the Investing in Educational Success (IES) programme on school libraries as they move away from traditional spaces to multi-purpose flexible learning spaces for the 21st centuryBuild relationships with colleagues in New Zealand, creating opportunities for collaboration and sharing ideas to enhance school library services. Identify best practice and gain inspirational ideas that could be introduced to improve Shropshire & Telford School Library Service and work with School Librarians. Through achieving these objectives, I would aim to be a strong advocate for school librariesPreparation and PlanningI contacted the School Library Association of New Zealand (SLANZA) and very helpfully, my request for information was placed on their listserv. Members interested in my trip with possibility of offering their schools for visits then contacted me. The National Library of New Zealand staff were very helpful by email and were instrumental in arranging school visits and transport. I also contacted the New Zealand Education Department who were able to give me ideas of suitable schools to visit. The websites of the Public Libraries in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, contain useful information and I made contact with the relevant librarians to organise visits. Annie Everall, of Authors Aloud also contacted me with useful contacts in Auckland. I received emails from librarians in New Zealand almost on a daily basis for a while, and I took time to plan my itinerary. A school librarian in Christchurch offered to host me whilst visiting which was extremely helpful and beneficial for managing the budget and planning visits. I discovered the joys of Airbnb, which also helped with budgeting. The visits flowed from North to South, so arranged visits in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. I allowed a week in each City and built in travelling time so the entire trip was just over 3 and half weeks in total. I flew into Auckland, and then caught train to Wellington. I booked the ferry from North to South Island and then took a bus from Picton to Christchurch due to the train track still being out of service due to the earthquake. I flew out of ChristchurchI must acknowledge the help and assistance of all the librarians who generously gave up their time and shared their libraries and knowledge. The study tour would not have been so successful without the kind help of so many inspiring librarians!School Libraries and Community SpacesSchool Library provision in the UK is under pressure, I was very much interested in the approach that the New Zealand Government is taking in regards to flexible learning spaces, and the inquiry based curriculum. School libraries are evolving from a traditional book hub to energetic modern library-learning environments (MLLE). Schools there are embarking on new and innovative teaching and learning approaches to respond to the major shifts in the use of technologies and the way students are learning. The new curriculum, introduced in 2010, has a focus on inquiry-based learning. Primary education starts at Year 1 and goes to Year 8 (around 5 to 12 years of age). Secondary education goes from Year 9 to Year 13 (around 13 to 17 years of age). New Zealand has a major difference in that they offer Intermediate Schools for years seven &eight and the fact that pupils transition to high school later than in the UK. The Curriculum actively encourages working with a schools community and I was interested to see how this works in practise. The school day is based on a ‘unit of inquiry’ which is a conceptually based theme running through the term. Class based subjects are integrated in this unit of inquiry and this is complemented by specialist subject work. Class based teachers go with their students to the specialist subject areas to work and learn together. Students have a voice in developing what is happening in the school – they help develop the inquiry model. The classroom is ‘learner centred’ not ‘teacher centred’. The New Zealand Curriculum states that inquiry can be visualised as a cyclical process. This model is thematically different to the UK curriculum and I wanted to see how this inquiry model, affects school library provision and community engagement. The school library is promoted as the place where inquiry can take place.National Library Auckland and ChristchurchThe vision of the National Library's Services to Schools is that young people have access to effective and connected library services and library learning environments that support their development as readers and digitally literate learners.? Lending ServiceI met with Sandi Falconbridge and Emma Smoldon both facilitators for the National Library Services to Schools. They guided me on my visit and arranged for me to visit several school libraries whilst in Auckland. The National Library provides resources to schools FREE. This is a National service provided for by Government. The services they offer are very similar to what Shropshire School Library service offers, topics and professional help. However, as a traded service we have to charge our schools, it was a stark contrast to the United Kingdom school library provision. One strand of the service is the whole school resource loans to support inquiry and reading engagement 4 times a year, once per term. The number of inquiry and reading requests, whole-school loan and the number of books and resources available to borrow depends on the school roll. The topic boxes are couriered and delivered to the schools free, schools pay a charge to arrange returning to the National Library.In addition, National Library staff act as facilitators and provide guidance and support for school libraries with any plans for school library renovations, new builds or refurbishments.?Topic Explorer page -this is a National Library collection of quality, curated digital content to support and inspire inquiry learning and teaching and learning in primary and secondary schools.The topics are added each week – in response to popular areas of inquiry and study in schools.For example by clicking on the Globalisation topic, there is a very detailed exemplar of how the resources link in directly with the NZ curriculum and a possible inquiry approach. Any Questions service?-This is facilitated by librarians across the country, in addition to National Library staff. ?Any Questions runs from 1pm to 6pm, to answer 6 to 8 thousand ‘chats’ to assist students with their inquiries - providing guidance on finding information for their homework/projects/school work.Auckland School Library VisitsBailey Road School –Whare Ahuru Mowai – the community named the library space, which translates to– Calm Sheltering Place. During my visit to Bailey Road School library, I was impressed with the use of free flowing space. The library has distinct spaces, with the furniture being moveable and the addition of an outdoor deck area. The school library is open to parents during the morning and afternoon drop- off, parents are actively encouraged to come in and sit and read with a variety of texts tailored to the Pasifika demographics. The librarian had also worked with the local public library service and arranged for the library mobile to visit the school, these visits are maintained during the summer holidays. There are also library skills packs for class teachers to use with the pupils to develop their literacy skills.Sylvia Park School center2818130Te Puna Ngoi -The name of the Library translates to The Spring of Strength/Energy. This is a lower decile school but this is not used as an excuse for low expectations, rather the opposite. The Librarian had cleverly designed library furniture in the shape of ‘AKO’. The word AKO means learning and teaching. The librarian works with the children and teachers’ on their inquiry. Before the inquiry starts she usually create a document with links for the teachers including information sources and tools that might be useful. The librarian also creates a page on the library website with links and video that is for the students to dip into.? Usually a combination of sources that they can use for their own research and curiosity building things.? Depending on the topic, pupils can be directed to use the Topic Explorer, she also promotes resources the students have used before such as Britannica and Te Ara. As the inquiry develops over the term and they start heading in different directions, the library will supplement classes with books or digital content more closely related to their specific topic.?Sometimes the librarian will make the outcomes of the inquiry part of the collection, such as the video project of the students talking about their leaders. I was struck by how the inquiry outcomes became part of the wider community, and thought the library at Sylvia Park was a vibrant well-used part of the school community.Rangitoto College I visited Rangitoto College with Sandi Falconbridge providing transport. I was keen to meet and thank Trish the librarian here, as she was instrumental in planning my trip itinerary and generous with her time and advice. Trish works in a very large school, with nearly four thousand pupils! The library has its own building and is well resourced. The School is in a Decile 10 area. Facilities include four teaching areas, one area with 16 computers, 3 reading rooms, a silent study room and a quiet scholarship study room. There is also a recreational reading area and the library is wireless so the pupils have access to the school Wi-Fi. During exam season the library is open on a Saturday morning. Trish has approximately 80 pupil librarians on a rota basis and they can earn Duke of Edinburgh or school point by volunteering in the library.Resources include approximately 23,000 books, access to over 30 databases, more than 2000 e-books, as well as DVDs, audio books and magazines.Whangaparaoa SchoolI visited Whangaparaoa School Library as the staff at the National Library had organised a series of visits for local school librarians to look at examples of library design and development. The school has invested in a new school library, creating inviting reading spaces for children including window seats, which I particularly liked. The library was treated as a special place by the children, with a shoe rack outside the entrance and children all removing their shoes before entering.Red Beach SchoolHere the school made the decision to call their library a Discovery Hub. The space is well resourced with a 3d printer, light box and TV plasma screen, as well as books. The library was closed and boxed up whilst building work was underway but the Principal noted that the children were very excited when the books were being unpacked and put back on the shelves. The Principal noted that communication with architects and builders could have been improved as the shelves; although lovely to look at are not the right size. The school has a Constable Bryan and his dog, visiting weekly to read and listen to pupils reading, this has proved popular with the children.Kingsway School Junior CampusThis is a faith primary school up to year six. The library here is in the middle of the large studio space and this was my first experience of a multi- class flexible learning space. Nine classes currently use the space and this has proved problematic for the library with no quiet defined area. In addition, the library is equipped with curved shelving units, making shelving difficult. However, the school is committed to its library resources and is actively planning to improve library facilities within the flexible learning space. In a change to school library visits, I met with Frances Plumpton, a literary agent, who took me to the Dorothy Butler bookshop in Ponsonby. This was a wonderful, charming specialist children’s bookshop where I happily purchased titles for the School Library Service. In addition, Frances took me to Takapuna Public Library, we arrived just as a Korean babytime was finishing. This library is in a wonderful location with sea views from upstairs. Frances was also kind enough to take me on a tour of the local area and gave me opportunity to do some sightseeing which was a wonderful experience. Public Library VisitsMonique Nathu, Service Coach in Auckland Libraries, took me to visit several public libraries within the Auckland area.Central City LibraryThe library is open at the weekends including Sundays and has a café inside on the ground floor with a mixture of low comfortable reading chairs and high stools. The library offers a wide range of activities for the community including rhyme times, story times, and an adult te reo Māori reading group. This meets weekly in the Te Mārama room to read and discuss te reo texts in the library and is aimed at adult learners. Providing a space where people can improve their reading competency of te reo Māori. Community outreach is important with free movies and a cup of tea offered on a Monday, films chosen by the Central Business rough sleeping community. Level 2 holds the research collection. In addition to whakapapa resources,?the research central?holds extensive Māori history, Te Reo Māori, Treaty of Waitangi and?Māori?research resources. I was lucky enough to be shown a Shakespearean folio, purchased for the library by Sir George Grey in 1894 dated 1623. White gloves on, I was allowed to turn the pages, a treat for a visiting librarian!The Makerspace area can be booked for school educational visits, Makerspace equipment includes 1 x Ultimaker2 3D printer?and 3 x Linux computers running open source software (e.g., Audacity, Openshot, Gimp, Blendr). Tinkerclub is offered free on Saturdays to children aged 8-15. This club mixes crafts with STEM disciplines, offering young people the chance to explore everything from electronics, to basic chemistry, to physics. Each session begins with a demonstration and explanation.The Central Library children’s area has recently been refurbished. The picture shows a seating and shelving unit in the children’s area. The pattern relates to a Maori water folktale. The design elements all complement and enhance the feeling of flow. Devonport LibraryI was impressed with the design of this building. The building is in sympathy with its natural environment and I was impressed with its design. The library takes inspiration from the large native trees growing outside. The ceiling in the children’s area is curved and reminds visitors of the sea and boats, as Devonport is by the shore and home to the naval base. The teenage area has a large round window encouraging readers to make themselves comfortable. The library offers storytimes, Minecraft sessions, digital drop-ins and this year the library mobile will be participating in the Devonport Christmas parade for the first time.Tupu Dawson Road LibraryThis library is specifically marketed as a youth library. There is a table tennis table in the middle of the library, bright superhero shelf signage and outdoor space. The community room is offered free to local charity and community groups. The library design takes account of Maori and Pasifika heritage with the blue patterned carpet representing water and large floor to ceiling windows letting light in. The librarians here offer programmes for their local youth communities and the enthusiasm of staff is evident. Local youth see the library as their space, have taken ownership, and is an integral part of the community.Toia Otahuhu LibraryThe new library and aquatic centre opened in 2015 is set within a park like environment with a new playground, hard court areas, a community garden and a splashpad water play area. The innovative concept of combining a Library, Recreation Centre and Aquatic Centre within one building was to encourage exploration of the entire precinct by the various users; the key driver was to get visitors to the heart of the precinct where they can comprehend all it has to offer.This drove the circulation planning to deliver visitors to the point where all circulation routes intersect and where all the offerings; Library, Recreation Centre, Aquatic Centre and outdoor spaces are visible at once. It creates the opportunity for "swimmers" to become "readers" and "readers" to become "swimmers", and is exploited in the planning approach where one of the main entries and circulation routes is through the library.A very important artwork installed above the library ramp is "Spirit Level", by Daniel Clifford. It consists of over 1000 individual, hand blown spheres, each one capturing the breath of an individual member of the ?tāhuhu community for posterity.Material selection and the interior design focused on creating a light, airy environment that benefitted from large amounts of natural daylight entering via roof lights and high glazed walls.Wellington School Library VisitsKarori Normal WestThe word 'normal' is used to describe the four schools in Wellington that work with the Victoria University of Wellington College of Education to support teacher training. The school benefits from special staffing ratios, equipment allowances and other benefits because of this relationship. The school goes from years 1 up to year 8- so the intermediate years 7&8 are still within a primary school setting, because of this the librarian offers fiction especially catered for the older age groups. The school has named its library Te Awa a Tupu- The River of Learning-to symbolise the lifelong journey of learning and to note the importance of the natural world with the river flowing by the school. Each class visits the library once a week to browse the shelves, choose new library books and read for pleasure again the school library makes use of mobile shelving units, the bookshelves can be pushed out of the way to free up a large event space. This idea is useful, in that it offers a flexible learning space and increases use of library. The librarian makes use of the school intranet and adds resource lists and links to educational websites for teachers to use. Computer coding classes are also held in the library and enthusiastic pupil librarians are trained in the use of the online catalogue and issuing system.Raroa IntermediateThis intermediate school is just for years seven and eight. The school offers an informal, no uniform, personalised learning, built around the learners’ needs and interests with the aim of developing self-regulated learners. The principal of AKO, reciprocal learning and teaching is a core value. Interestingly this is a dog-friendly school, with teachers being allowed to bring their pet dogs into the classroom. A teacher informed me that the presence of a dog helps regulate behaviour and is a welcome addition. Clare Forest, the librarian, is also a representative for SLANZA, and during my visit had just returned from a committee meeting. She took time to take me on a visit to her library and talked me through the ongoing refurbishment. The current library was in a state of flux with decorating still to be completed, but the passion and enthusiasm for literacy in her school was evident.Clare ensured I was also kindly invited to a local SLANZA members Christmas meal where I was lucky enough to socialise with school librarians and find out a bit more about how Wellington schools operated.Wellington GirlsClare Forest kindly provided transport and arranged a visit to Wellington Girls School Library.Katherine Mansfield attended this school and it was especially meaningful after seeing her former home nearby. The school itself is in a central position, near to the centre of the city so they can make use of the nearby National Library and Central library facilities. It is a large school with over 1,400 girls on roll. The school is a wireless campus and encourages girls to BYOD - Bring your own (digital) device, and use these in class as much as possibleOne of the first things I noticed was the catflap in the door; yes, the school library has a library cat! There are study areas and quite rooms and a soft comfortable area with cushions and beanbags. The library uses Facebook to advertise new books and posts notices for the pupils.TawaRedwood PrimaryI was able to visit three school campuses in one visit as the primary; intermediate and high school are all located next to each other. Kevin Boon of the local ESU, kindly dropped me off and I was able to get the train back into Wellington centre. The primary school has a school librarian with dedicated hours and a budget. During my visit a class was visiting for storytime, there is a storytime chair providing a focal point and soft seating for the children.IntermediateTawa Intermediate is lucky enough to have a large library, again with a librarian and as dedicated budget. The space is flexible with the shelving units being mobile, opening up the space. The day I visited the library was being used as a meeting room to welcome parents for the incoming year group. The school Haka team also rehearse in the library and they also had a quiet room with soft beanbags to offer children somewhere to simply read. The library is an important part of the school and local community.College Year 9-13It is a state secondary school of around 1,450 students. The students are drawn largely from the area of Tawa which itself has a broad socio-economic mix. In that sense, it is a microcosm of New Zealand society. It is a BYOD school, with students being able to access the library catalogue AccessIt. During my visit, students were busy revising for their exams and preparing for the end of term. The librarian has a novel way of ensuring pupils return their books before leaving for their Summer holidays. She and her assistant dress as the Grim Reaper and visit the classes to’ reap’ overdue books. I found the schools in Tawa interesting in that all three showed a commitment to school libraries. There is a continuation, so that a child from primary to high school is given access to a high-quality library service.Wellington Central LibraryThis is an architect designed building, the library furniture was also designed by the team of architects. The building was constructed by Fletcher Development & Construction and opened in December 1991. (You can listen to a lecture given by Sir Ian Athfield in 2011 about how the designs of the library and Civic Centre came about.) The heraldic nikau palms represent the original vegetation of the area and have become the library's trademark. The glass curtain wall allows in plenty of natural light and creates a visual link to the outside, with a superb view of the harbour and Civic Square. The staff room even has a balcony with a view and supplied with a barbecue. The ground floor area has mobile shelving units; this creates a large flexible space for events. The children’s area can be curtained off for rhymetimes and stories. The library offers Te Reo, Maori story times, as well as Christmas story times in the run up to the holiday. The free film nights on a Thursday are popular. The library offers small meeting rooms for daily hire, which are income generating. There is a large New Zealand section for research and study, with Free Wi-Fi and a café helping to attract clients. The children’s services recently purchased robots to use for class visits and provide opportunities to demonstrate new technology.Earthquake damage has affected the library provision, as nearby council offices have to be demolished, and the council staff are subsequently sharing library space.Whilst in Wellington I met with the committee of the Wellington English Speaking Union for lunch. Keith Boon in particular was very helpful in providing transport and discussing his books, it was interesting to learn more about the local schools.Christchurch School Library VisitsVilla MariaVilla Maria College has a modern central library with a wide range of resources that are well used by students. The Library is a sunny, welcoming place incorporating two computer suites and an extensive range of both fiction and non-fiction resources to support the curriculum. Mrs Anne Fahey, the librarian, had recently reorganised the library shelving by moving the non-fiction and making the space open up more. The library had also undergone some refurbishment. The careers hub has moved into the library necessitating some space planning. Anne is an enthusiastic school librarian encouraging the teachers to bring the pupils into the library for weekly sessions. One of her most successful programs was an organised crime session in the library, complete with crime scene tape and clues. The girls had to work through and evaluate who the murder suspect could be. The pupils are able to take advantage of early opening at 8 am to study before school and after the school day until 5pm, except for Friday when it closes at four.The library website offers book reviews and library news - school is a BYOD, and the library offers the pupils spare laptop devices if needed. The school runs orientation programmes for students at the beginning of the year in Office 365, cloud based filing, and offers free software for their devices. The pupils and teachers use Onenote for their coursework and feedback. Digital citizenship is very much emphasised and years 7-9 benefit from teaching.HeatonHeaton School has a new Learning Resource Centre (LRC) with a specialist coordinator who has trained as a librarian and worked at the University of Canterbury supporting students in how to learn and to conduct research. The LRC contains a library,?a spacious main area with study tables, a computer alcove, two seminar rooms, and an auditorium.The LRC Coordinator supports students' research needs, teaches information literacy and digital citizenship skills, and promotes reading for enjoyment. The LRC is managed using a flexible booking system that allows teachers to utilise it when their programme will benefit from doing so. It is a multi-function learning space.I met Jane Boniface the librarian, she works 30 hours a week and she explained how pupils and teachers used the Learning Resource Centre. Jane promotes reading for pleasure, encourages pupils to submit book reviews, suggest new books, and has compiled a Great Reads list of suggested book titles. Jane introduced me to Canva, an app that she uses for designing her posters: Catalogue- the children have access to an informative interactive library catalogue.Pupils can attend a Research Skills session in the LRC. These sessions teach them how to find the best information for topics, how to evaluate information, how to avoid plagiarising, and how to create a Reference List.Facilities include 6 x iMac desktop computers and 8 x MacBook laptop computers; the school has been a BYOD since early 2016.I particularly liked the auditorium with tiered seating as the chill zone. Pupils have opportunities to make or listen to presentations in the LRC Auditorium, or watch a video. The LRC is a vibrant, integral part of school life, encouraging reading for pleasure and digital literacy. Chisnallwood IntermediateEstablished as a Junior High School for years 7 to 8, Chisnallwood is specifically designed to meet the needs of students in their pre-adolescent years.?In addition to the library, Chisnallwood offers its pupils a Successmaker Suite, Performing Arts Centre and a Whare Wananga.The library is a bright, colorful and welcoming environment. Sharon Philips the library manager runs this modern school library. She organises interactive quizzes with the pupils, with the winning entry given a canteen voucher. The students also have a quiet reading areacenter624014500The library website offers students a wealth of information to help them with school work and reading for pleasure. Classes are encouraged to come into the library, during my visit pupils were working on their own laptops on their enquiry work. Rāwhiti SchoolRāwhiti School is a merger of Central New Brighton, Freeville, and North New Brighton schools. The earthquake affected these local schools, with all of them being closed, so the decision was made to provide one larger new modern school. Rāwhiti School is a U6 Full Primary School situated in the culturally diverse Christchurch suburb of Brighton, with pupils drawn from a number of surrounding suburbs. The school has a decile rating of 3 and a current roll of 550. Inside flexible learning spaces allow teachers to design learning to meet the needs of every student, so students can find a space which supports the way they need to learn. There are also areas for teachers to plan, meet collaboratively, and access resources to support the way they teach.The library is housed in the reception area of the school, a very different feel from a traditional library and a non-traditional school library. Visitors to the school immediately see the importance the school places on literacy and sourcing information. The librarian teacher is very enthusiastic and has ensured there is a good budget for both stock and library furniture. The ethos is very much in keeping with the flexible learning spaces idea, large open spaces. The classrooms are large studios with multiple classes and teachers working together.The staff room and Principals office are both located next to the school library.Christchurch Public LibrariesRiccarton Riccarton Library is a shared community and school library operated by?Christchurch City Libraries in collaboration with Riccarton High School. Sally Blake the school librarian is employed by the school but has office in the library. The school needed a new library whilst the council was investigating a new library site, they came together and decided to collaborate and this joint venture is very successful. Sally can request topic books for use at Riccarton from the entire Christchurch library service, ensuring that pupils have access to a wide range of stock. The stock is not divided by school and public library, a streamlined approach is taken with all stock being provided by the public library. There is no ‘them and us’ scenario with stock. Safeguarding is not viewed as an obstacle to library use, as only older pupils in year 10 and above visit the library during school hours unaccompanied, younger pupils use the learning centres as classes with their teachers. The public do not have access to the school as the library is a separate building.Library Names: The Stories of the Bilingual Names for Christchurch City LibrariesTe Kete Wānanga o Pūtaringamotu (Pu-ta-ring-a-mau-too) honours the facility with a link to the city’s oldest treasure.Pūtaringamotu is also the name of Dean’s Bush, a bush area created when a great fire swept across the Canterbury Plains (Ngā Pakihi whakatekateka o Waitaha). It was the site of one of the many settlements Māori established in the maze of swamps, waterways and lagoons lying between Lake Ellesmere (Waihora) and the Waimakariri River. By the early 1800s it was occupied by the Ngāi Tuahuriri, a sub-tribe of Ngāi Tahu.One of its translations is ‘place of an echo’ as Māori believed that at a certain place in the forest, those trained and skilled in the practice could hear the sound of people approaching on the trails through the surrounding swamp by putting an ear to the ground.The area was later settled by Canterbury’s earliest European pioneers, the Deans family. It is therefore a very important and significant piece of land for both Māori and Pakeha and a name that reflects the treasures the building offers its community13 public computers with free internet access (12 available for 60-minute sessions, 1 available for 15-minute sessions)30 PCs in the computer lab available to the public from 5pm - 8pm (Monday to Friday) and all opening hours on Saturday and Sunday unless there are community/learning programme bookings for the lab1 designated Press Reader computer (no time limit)2 children’s computers and a Family History computerDuring the day, teachers can bring pupils into the library for classes using the three learning centre rooms- after 4.30 they are available for the local community to use and book.The library also offers traditional activities such as book clubs and Knit & Yearn. The technology drop-ins old and young are run by pupils from the school offering help and guidance to older members of the public who may bring their phones and tablets in, this is proving popular and a great inter-generational way of working the community together and breaking down barriers. The café is at the back of the building near the children’s library and is well used by pupils and members of the public. I was struck by how well the public and school library staff worked together to provide services to their communities.New Central LibraryI met with Pat Street who introduced me to Carolyn Robertson, Head of Libraries and Information, before taking me on a tour of some of Christchurch’s libraries’. Both Carolyn and Pat talked me through the ideas and plans for the exciting new development of the Central Library. Pat had also been on a working study trip to Canada and Germany in recent years to look at how other large scale projects have been resourced and managed and was hoping to apply some ideas that she had learnt.ūranga (New Central Library) is due to open in 2018. The $92 million public library, which is currently being built on the corner of Cathedral Square and Gloucester Street, will be the largest in the South Island and a third larger than the city’s former earthquake-damaged central library. It is heartening to see the importance placed on literacy and libraries. The tourist tram goes past the current building site and the conductors were very proudly detailing their new City library.The name Tūranga was gifted by Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri Rūnanga and reflects the relationship with Whitireia, the traditional name for Cathedral Square. "In oral tradition Whitireia was the name of the house of Paikea, the ancestor who travelled here on the back of a whale,”. Tūranga will be a cultural hub for Christchurch and an important civic space that attracts people back into the central city. As the flagship of the city’s libraries network, Tūranga will retain the largest print collection while showcasing and celebrating Christchurch and Canterbury heritage and taonga, telling people’s unique stories locally, nationally and globally. Support the wider Christchurch library network of 19 community, mobile and digital libraries. The entire library will become a digital hub supported by a variety of high-tech features and new experiences. Think virtual reality, gaming consoles, laser cutters, digital walls, 3D printers.Halswell Centre Te Hapua523875324929500Te Hapua Halswell, is a new library and community facility that has been built alongside the Halswell swimming pool. The library offers varied spaces for a range of activities, inclusive community spaces and a customer services desk. Christchurch Council ran a community competition to name the new centre, with 162 entries received. The winning name of Halswell centre was chose and a Maori name was sourced from tangata whenua; Te Hapua. This gives reference to pools of water, and is subtle reference to Lake Ellesmere, often referred to a hapua or coastal lagoon. 485775-390525The shape of the building has presented some challenges for staff with shelving and displays. The design allows for maximum natural light and feels very open and modern. The library is at one end of the building with the café and swimming pool and community rooms at the other end.The centre also has a Learning Centre. The concept of the Learning Centre is in line with the New Zealand’s Curriculum document, the library learning centres provide learning experiences in a technology rich environment. Students participating in Learning Centre programmes experience e-learning embedded within traditional and future focused learning areas. Key competencies are developed as students work in collaboration with others across geographical and generational boundaries. Teachers gain professional learning opportunities as planning sessions with LC staff helps to focus on integration of ICT into their curriculum based unit plans. The learning centre includes the Computer Lab with 30 networked computers and flexible projection options. There is also a learning space next door with 6 networked iMacs. Available equipment includes iPads, robots, MacBook Pros, keyboard, electronic drum kit, Roland Session mixer, digital SLRs, video cameras and 3D printers.Both Halswell and South offer the School Programme. They currently offer a Film School, Robotics, Bee-Bots and Scratch, Introduction to Coding, Photography, from 2D to 3D, Animation, Cutting Edge Design- these are all charged for at $30-40 per pupil. The Library also offer free Connect programmes for whole class visits. The aim of these free sessions is to encourage children to develop life-long learning habits for the digital age through the introduction to library resources. The sessions covered are Cyber Citizenship, Information Literacy-Google and Beyond and What is a Library?Matariki Connect is a session tailored around the Maori New Year. The sessions introduce students to key concepts around Matariki and a range of activities. The Travelling Roadshow team has been promoting storytelling and library services in Christchurch schools for the last 25 years. The team visits schools with a thirty-minute interactive storytelling session with a dress-up extravaganza where the pupils are the stars. The Roadshow is modified at certain times of the year to support library programming at events such as New Zealand Book Month. Secondary’s are also offered free Connect programmes around Information Literacy. The eBook talking session is popular with students being shown how to access free-eBooks, online newspapers and e-Magazines. The librarian demonstrates how to find any kind of e-material for leisure and or learning. The emphasis is on the love of reading and how 21st century technology is enhancing the range and access to content.South LibraryThe library offers a varied programme of activities for the local community. In addition to storytimes for pre-school children, the Learning Centre offers a school programme. Library Learning Centre staff are trained teachers with experience in both Secondary and Primary schools. The staff ensure continual professional development within the area of ICT and are able to offer innovative new courses. South Library includes two learning spaces; the Computer Lab and the Sydenham Room plus a separate recording space. The Lab is a networked computer suite of 31 touch screen computers, an inbuilt data projector and printer/scanner/copier, holding up to 35 people. The Sydenham Room is a community learning space for teaching or meetings, holding up to 60 people. Available equipment includes iPads, iPods, GoPros, MacBook Pros, digital SLSs, video camera, robots and 3D printers.Busy Book Club, runs every Thursday after school 3.30-4.30 for ages 7-10. Maker Space Workshops Tuesdays 3.30-5pm- exploring 3D design, coding, robotics, photo editing and e-textiles and papertronics all for only $20 per child over 4 terms. South also offers a Maker Space workshop for girls only on Mondays as well as girls only Minecraft club on a Saturday. The girl only sessions have proved popular and encouraging more girls to attend workshops that they see as primarily for boys and giving them the space to play and learn in confidence. 440690-339090Bringing the outside in, reading area with outside space.Kaipoi LibraryThis library is just outside the boundaries of Christchurch so comes under the neighboring district is a mixed-use building with a museum and library within the same building. Kaipo offers a range of activities for its local community, in particular a free monthly movie and morning tea session. The Games for Grown-Ups every Monday Morning includes morning tea and a chance to play scrabble, chess, backgammon and more. The Librarians from the Waimakariri Libraries team can visit schools or preschool by arrangement.Depending on the age level, they will run a storytime session, or booktalk to extend and inspire children’s knowledge of books and reading.Online resources for teens available from the website and the library highlights the live homework help service AnyQuestions??National Library ChristchurchJan Boustead a Facilitator National Capability, for Services to Schools Christchurch was kind enough to collect me and give me a tour of the National Library building in addition to several school visits. It was interesting to be able to compare the Christchurch National Library to the Auckland National Library. The Christchurch building was damaged by the earthquake and had to close its building and relocate, this was a major move. It is now housed in an industrial unit and does offer a flexible amount of space for their resources. 142875214630They offer a service to schools not only in Christchurch but across the South Island.Key Themes and Learning PointsInquiry based learning, flexible learning spaces, partnerships, community outreach and community spaces were the common themes throughout my study tour. These themes inform the direction and work at each library, engaging with their communities and meeting the needs of pupils. I feel that the UK has a lot to learn about school library provision from New Zealand, notably the free nationwide service offered by the National Library and funded by Central Government. In addition, the joint use successful model of a school and public library in Riccarton offers an encouraging way forward. New Zealand could also learn from Wales about dual language provision in schools and libraries.I consider myself lucky to have been awarded this amazing opportunity. I have visited some wonderful libraries and places and I have met some truly inspiring librarians. I have also made some new contacts to share best practice and explore new ideas. I hope that what I have discovered and learnt will help inform school and community librarian developments. Personal Statement?Trish Webster School LibrarianReading and researching are two of the most important skills students need to succeed; support from an experienced librarian in a well-resourced library makes a differenceBlog LinkSarap68. ................
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