Latest news and updates
Image credit: Latest updates by wiredsmart20. Pixabay. License to use.
Read the latest news from Services to Schools.
13 November 2023: More books, new offer for small schools
More about these changes to our lending service
30 October 2023: Our term 4 newsletter to schools
School library survey, new social sciences topic starters, summer reading offer, lots of resources.
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12 September 2023: Special offer — books for summer reading!
Teachers, kaiako and librarians — want some great books to read yourself or to keep your ākonga (students) reading over the summer break?
Read how to borrow these books over summer
24 July 2023: Our term 3 newsletter to schools
Read about creating great libraries, new primary source analysis tools, new resources for creating readers, and more!
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18 July 2023: Support for school libraries affected by 2023 storms
The National Library’s Services to Schools is funded to work with schools and kura to help replace school library and classroom books damaged or lost in the 2023 North Island storms. We are working with the Ministry of Education and Books Back Better to deliver this initiative.
We’ve done a phone survey of affected schools and identified 38 schools that have suffered damaged or lost library or classroom books.
Schools that couldn't respond immediately to our survey are getting back to us by email. We’re also working with Te Rūnanga Nui o Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Aotearoa to contact affected kura in the regions.
We know that some schools will have missed our survey because of ongoing connection issues. If you are a weather-affected school and haven't heard from us, please email schoollibraryadvice@dia.govt.nz.
22 May 2023: Funding initiative to support weather-impacted school libraries
As part of Budget 2023, the National Library has been successful in securing funding through a joint $1 million initiative with the Ministry of Education for the replacement of school library collections, related resources and shelving, where these have been lost due to North Island weather events and insurance is unable to fund replacement in new condition.
The National Library’s Services to Schools are being funded to work with schools in weather-affected areas to identify and support the selection of new, high-quality library books that reflect current curriculum and literacy needs. Suppliers will be procured and managed by the National Library, with the Ministry of Education funded to pay for the books purchased.
While the National Library and the Ministry of Education will make decisions on expenditure, books will be purchased in conjunction with input from teachers and librarians from the schools to help meet the diverse needs and interests of learners within each school community.
This initiative will complement community responses such as the ‘Books Back Better’ project which is fundraising to distribute book tokens to affected schools, kura, kohanga reo and kindergartens.
More details will follow in the coming weeks. Schools needing assistance will be offered new, high-quality books that reflect current curriculum and literacy needs. They will also be offered advice and support from the National Library to help re-establish school library services.
9 May 2023: Our term 2 newsletter to schools
Find out about the 2022 school libraries survey report, next Te Awhi Rito Reading Ambassador, He Tohu news, explore our handy resources and more …
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1 Mar 2023: Our term 1 newsletter to schools
Read about our support for schools impacted by floods and cyclone, AnyQuestions service, resources for teaching Aotearoa NZ histories and more …
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17 Feb 2023: Flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle — salvaging resources, our support
We send aroha to all those who have been affected by Cyclone Gabrielle.The cyclone has had a small impact on our lending service for North Island schools, but we're working hard to minimise disruption.
Salvaging advice and our support
If you need information about how to salvage water-affected resources, these web pages may be helpful:
Our facilitators are also available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm for school library and lending service advice and support:
Freephone: 0800 LIB LINE 0800 542 5463
More about school lending service
31 Jan 2023: Flooding — impact on our lending service, advice and support
We hope you, your whānau and loved ones are safe following the devastating flooding that has hit Tāmaki Makaurau, the Waikato, the Bay of Plenty, and other areas.National Library is experiencing a minor disruption to our lending service for North Island schools.
Read more
Media release: National Library guidelines on salvaging water-damaged materials.