February Newsletter

Hello Reader,

Welcome to our first newsletter for 2024 and Happy Library Lovers’ Month. That’s right – month! In my library we’ve dedicated the whole month to displaying and talking about how our library is the heart of our school. I enjoyed seeing the photos many of you shared on the ASLA socials and have included a few more for you to enjoy in this newsletter. And speaking of socials, shout out to board member Deborah Brown who has taken over our social media accounts and is doing a wonderful job. Deb says it’s a steep learning curve, but she is really enjoying connecting with our community and sharing ideas.

Meet the Board 

Sonja Brownridge ASLA Secretary

I’m a Teacher Librarian & Learning Enrichment Teacher at Sacred Heart College - Champagnat campus, Years 7 - 9. I’ve been in the role for the last 6 years, with previous teaching roles in primary schools and middle schools as an English/HASS/RE teacher. I completed a Graduate Diploma in Information Management (Library and Information Management) through the University of South Australia to complement my qualifications in Education, Special Education and Information Technology.

My role at SHC as the Teacher Librarian is varied and no day is ever the same. I take classes for Book Chats, run sessions on referencing using the SLASA Online Refencing Generator and finding information for research tasks, curate resources for curriculum areas, undertake the usual library management tasks along with a whole range of other things. My favourite part of the job is that moment when I’m able to match a book to a student successfully; the discussions when they return the book and then ask for another recommendation is just priceless.

ASLA Awards

Nominations for the 2024 ASLA Awards close on Friday March 15th. This year we have simplified the nomination process so please have a read here and consider nominating yourself or a valued colleague. We have so many wonderful members of our community we should be shouting out loud and celebrating our achievements! 

And remember, the Library Advocate Award is open to all school library staff.

ASLA Early Career Award

This national award recognises and honours an Australian Teacher Librarian who, within their first five years in the role has made an outstanding contribution to their school community and potentially beyond. This award acknowledges an early career Teacher Librarian for their high level of achievement in professional knowledge, practice, and engagement, reflecting the positive impact they have made on teaching and learning in their school.

ASLA Library Advocate Award 

This national award is to recognise a dedicated school library professional who advocates for their school library and has made a positive contribution to their school community and potentially beyond. This award is open to all school library staff, including but not limited to Librarians, Library Technicians and Library Officers. The nominee will need to be able to demonstrate their contribution to their school community, wider networks, and engagement with professional learning.

DANZ Awards

Congratulations to the longlisted and shortlisted authors and illustrators.

Find the Longlist here.

The Shortlist

Picture books

  • Be Careful, Xiao Xin! Written by Alice Pung, illustrated by Sher Rill Ng
  • Ceremony Written by Adam Goodes and Ellie Laing, illustrated by David Hardy
  • Come Over to My House Written by Sally Rippin and Eliza Hull, illustrated by Daniel Gray-Barnett

Chapter Books

  • When Granny Came to Stay Written by Alice Pung, illustrated by Soweol Han
  • Maku by Meyne Wyatt
  • 29 Things You Didn’t Know About Me Written by Solli Rahael, illustrated by Olana Janf

Middle Grade

  • The Wintrish Girl by Melanie La’Brooy
  • The Wrath of the Woolington Wyrm Written by Karen Foxlee, illustrated by Freda Chiu
  • No Words by Maryam Master

The winners of each category will be revealed at the DANZ Awards Event at Somerset Storyfest on Wednesday 27th March with an appearance by 2024/25 Australian Children’s Laureate Sally Rippin, author, and founder of the DANZ Awards Kate Foster, and various other children’s authors and illustrators including our shortlisted stars! If you would like to join us, click here for Somerset Storyfest information.

Professional Learning Opportunities

Courageous Conversations

For Teacher Librarians, Administrators and Technicians.

A journey of courage, confidence, and competence.

The Courageous Conversations Workshop: A journey of courage, confidence and competence offers an enriching and transformative experience that blends theory and practice.

Two scoped and sequenced workshops invite participants to:

• Examine conflict by navigating challenging topics and situations.

• Explore conflict styles and strategies to support conversation frameworks.

• Examine effective communication processes and practices and master the art of active listening, asking powerful questions and thoughtful speaking.

• Explore different perspectives and embrace the power of empathy to bridge divides.

• Establish environments that are trust-rich, value-laden, and respectful.

• Develop actionable steps to bring positive change to the participant’s personal and professional life.

Our experienced facilitators will guide participants through thought- provoking exercises, real and relevant scenarios, and group discussions that will empower courage, confidence and competence when conversing in challenging situations.

More information and the opportunity to sign up for a workshop will be available soon. 

The 2024 webinar series kicked off this month with Emily Feetham’s highly engaging and informative “But I saw it on BookTok…” Navigating the world of bookish social media and how it is impacting school libraries. We were overwhelmed by the positive feedback and the realisation of the need for more talk around marketing and publishing for young adults. If you missed this webinar, you can now access it via the online store.7

Upcoming Webinars

Keep an eye out for our March webinar from Andrea Engler, Digital Curation - made easy for school library staff. Every school library faces the challenge of transforming their learning experiences to keep up with the ever-changing digital landscape. You can deliver trending topics specific to the Australian curriculum, inform engaged learning activities, and draw students and staff into your library. Discover new ways for curating content tailored to specific year levels, curriculum targets, and skill development, using intuitive and time-saving tools.

April: Kate Foster - The DANZ Awards

May: Dr Nancy Bonfiglio-Pavisich - Mentoring Project

June: Paul Macdonald - A journey through the 2024 CBCA Book Week Notables

ASLA Internship

ASLA are looking for an intern! Do you know someone studying as a Library Technician, Teacher Librarian or Librarian who would like an internship with us?

We are seeking a highly motivated and creative Marketing and Social Media Intern to support our efforts in promoting the association's activities and engaging with our community. This internship is a fantastic opportunity for a Certificate Library Technician or Teacher Librarian student to gain practical experience in marketing, social media management, and communications within the educational sector.

For a position statement, further information or any questions please email myself president@asla.org.au or Sonja secretary@asla.org.au.

Applications will be accepted until 9.00am March 10, 2024.

Request from CSU for Markers

The School of Information and Communication Studies at Charles Sturt University is seeking to expand the pool of sessional markers to support its Master of Education (Teacher Librarianship) course. Casual marking offers you the flexibility to take on marking in the quantities and times through the year that suit you best, although typically it involves a minimum of 10 hours twice per semester that you are available. To qualify you need to hold a Masters level Teacher Librarianship qualification, or a more general Master of Information Studies (or similar) combined with practical experience as a teacher librarian. Markers are paid at $73.23 per hour. For more information about casual marking at CSU please contact Associate Head of School Simon Wakeling (swakeling@csu.edu.au)

Don't forget to stay in touch via our socials or here president@asla.org.au with any questions, comments, photos or ideas you'd like to share.

Until next month....

Warm Regards,

Martha Itzcovitz
ASLA President


*ASLA 2024 Webinar Series is free to active ASLA Members

 


Around the grounds ~ Library Lovers Day


Epping Public School

Ermington west Public School


Pymble Ladies' College Senior Library




Around the grounds ~ Lunar New Year

Pymble Ladies' College Senior Library



Membership information here!

IASL RESOURCES


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Not a customer? Ask an Accessit user to bring you along and you'll both get something special out of it, or find out more about Accessit Library here. 

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The regular ASLA Newsletter is the key communication channel which delivers up-to-date news of resources, events, professional learning and information relevant to school libraries across Australia.

Our readership includes not only our national membership but is open to any professional party interested in aspects of school libraries and professional learning opportunities. Readers are located in a diverse range of school settings and often require significant spending on a wide range of resources and services in Australian school libraries.

ASLA Membership Bundle FAQs 

Q: What is a bundle? 

A: A bundle is a collection of members who are linked together and managed by one of their members – the bundle administrator.  

Bundle members share the same renewal date, status, and membership level. The entire bundle is charged a single membership fee, which is paid by the bundle administrator.  

At ASLA, we have two bundle options: 

Small school (1-3 library staff) 

Large school (4-6 library staff) 

Q: How do I set up a bundle for my school? 

A: you can do this when you apply for membership, or ASLA can help you via email or phone. 

Q: How do I add members to a bundle? 

A: the bundle administrator can view and manage bundle members from within the bundle administrator's profile when they log in to the ASLA website. 

Bundle administrators can add to their bundle any non-member contact whose email address is not already in the ASLA database. 

To add a new member to the bundle, the bundle administrator clicks the Add member button. 

Alternatively, bundle administrators can email or phone ASLA to request updates and additions to bundles. 

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Email: asla@asla.org.au  

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Australian School Library Association, Inc. | 416 Magill Rd, Kensington Gardens SA 5068 | AUSTRALIA | email: asla@asla.org.au | tel. 0439 358 607

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