This document discusses ways for school libraries and librarians to adapt to changing times and remain relevant. It encourages librarians to shift their focus from traditional tasks like book collections and rules enforcement to more modern priorities like facilitating information sharing, technology skills, collaboration and lifelong learning. Librarians are advised to connect with students and teachers, make their spaces more flexible for different uses, and experiment with new services instead of clinging to outdated practices. The overall message is that while the job is changing, focusing on student needs will allow librarians to thrive.

1. Not your parents library
Yours better not be!

3. We can't just be busy, we have to
be significant.
A quote from Jennifer La Garde
http://www.librarygirl.net/2013/12/joyces-l

4. Take stock
• Look around your space
• Has it changed in the last 10 years?
• Is it set up for new ways of learning?

5. Look at yourself
• What has changed about your practice in the
last 10 years?
• Anything?

6. Daniel Pink says
The future belongs to creators and
emphathizers, pattern recognizers and meaning
makers. These people-artists, inventors,
designers, storytellers, caregivers, consolers, big
picture thinkers will reap society’s richest
rewards and share in its greatest joys.”
From: A whole new mind (2005)

7. What does your library feel like
• Fusty?
• Dated?
• Muted?
• 1990 revisited?
• Or are you really really luck with a shiny new one?
• Do you know how the priorities for updating work
in your school?

8. Odds are -
• You are way down the list on the property
managers list for a re-do
• And even then you might just get a paint job
and some new carpet!!!
• No shiny MLE for you then
•Its going to be all about you!

11. I’m not here to teach you to suck eggs

14. It is in our mandate!
• The NZ curriculum asks that learners are:
• Confident
• Connected
• Actively involved
• Lifelong learners

15. Our
Daily
Job

16. Lets think about the main differences
between the older and the modern
• Fewer non-fiction resources – BYOD changes
everything
• Spaces for students to work collaboratively
• Breakout spaces for quiet work
• Technology friendly – a knowledgeable librarian
on tap

17. So can you turn your existing space
into a MLE?
• Shift your furniture to encourage groups
• Low tables for laptops and devices
• Learn what students need help with
• Be amenable to change

18. Encourage your staffMake this your mantra
• How can I help?
• What do you need?
• What other resources do you need?
• Can I help you plan this lesson?
• Have you checked what resources are in the library?
• Have lots and lots of conversations
• Get them to show you how to do things
• Show them how to do things

20. And Stop being obstructive
• Get the hell out of your workroom, engage with the clients!
• Talk to the kids about what they are doing?
• Connect and talk library with your teachers every day
• Stop it with the unnecessary rules
• Give your users some credit
• Relax the unnecessary rules
• Does it really matter if they drink water in the library

21. Connect again
• Talk to your students about what they need
• Find out which devices they find most useful
for their studies
• Find out what they find hard about using
devices – then get good at it
• Make resources to help them

23. Outreach
• Reach out to your staff – ask them (don’t
survey them, its too easy not to answer)
• Find out what they actually want from the
library
• Find out which of your resources they value
• Find out which classes they are most likely to
bring to the library and what for
• Ask them how they see the library changing

24. A manifesto
I will recognise that the universe of information
culture is changing fast and that libraries need
to respond positively to these changes and
provide resources and services that users need
and want

25. I will let go of previous practices if
there is a better way to do things
now, even if these practices once
seemed so great.

26. I will educate myself about the
information culture of my users
and look for ways to incorporate
what I learn into library services I
provide

27. I will not be defensive about my
library, but will look clearly at its
situation and make an honest
assessment about what can be
accomplished.

28. I will become an active participant in
moving my library forward

29. I will be courageous about proposing
new services and new ways of
providing services, even though some
of my colleagues will be resistant

30. I will enjoy the excitement and fun
of positive change and will convey
this to colleagues and users

31. I will take an experimental
approach to change and be
willing to make mistakes

32. I will not wait until something is
perfect before I release it, and I’ll
modify it based on user feedback

33. I will not fear Google or related
services but rather will take
advantage of these services to
benefit users while also providing
excellent library services that users
need.

34. I will avoid requiring users to see
things in librarians terms but rather
will shape services to reflect users
preferences and expectations

35. I will be willing to go where users are,
both online and in physical spaces, to
practice my profession

36. I will create open web sites that allow
users to join with librarians to
contribute content in order to
enhance their learning experience and
provide assistance to their peers

37. I will validate, through my actions,
a librarians vital and relevant
professional role in any type of
information culture that evolves.

38. Wise words from Doug
• Recognize one’s need to change. Don’t just
do old stuff but with new tools.
• “Don’t be the first out the door at the end of
the day. If the staff won’t miss you, you’re
expendable.”
• http://doug-johnson.squarespace.com/blue-skunk-blog/2014/1/28/and-the-survey-says-librarians-speak-out-on-

39. Doug and Jennifer did a survey
• Your role is going to change.
• You need to learn how to adapt quickly
• You are going to need a support network of
people to help – thanks SLANZA communities!

40. Don’t worry
Don’t worry. Our jobs are not about book
collections; they are about information sharing
and dissemination. If our focus remains on
information and students, we’ll be fine” A voice
from the trenches
• http://www.librarygirl.net/2014/02/voices-from-trenches-teacher-librarians.html

41. Seems like more work right?
No! Wrong
It’s just different work

42. No more
• Laminating for staff – fully self service
• Photocopying for anybody – teach a kid to
photocopy and he will teach 3 more.
• Information files – seriously it is all online!!!!
You’ll need to learn where to find it.
• Saying no to staff PD – you need to be there
• Worrying about book repair

43. And no more
• Accessioning – just stop that …..
• Worrying about supervising students, you are out
in the library anyway, they will be better
• Being meek – grow strong with knowledge
• Covering anything that isn’t a book which will be
used a lot
• Whining!
• Taking the easy way out. Know your collection

48. SLANZA is there for you!
S