Community of Practitioners
The Special Interest Groups were created to connect like-minded colleagues to share and learn together. In this meetup you will learn what has been happening in each SIG and consider if you would like to connect in 2025. If you are a new member or have not had previous involvement, you may be wondering what happens in our Special Interest Groups (SIG’s). There are four different groups who will be reporting on their activity over the last year. You may have been involved in one group but are curious as to what happens within the other groups. This meet-up is for you. This session is of relevance to primary and secondary staff.
About Mentoring SIG
In 2022 SLANSW offered a one-year mentoring pilot scheme as part of its professional development program. Teacher Librarians of all sectors and levels of experience were invited to participate in this exciting scheme as either mentor or mentee. Due to its success the Mentoring SIG is now run each year via an Expression of Interest process. Feedback from previous participants about their experiences with this SIG:
- Discussing my reading program meant I had a more fleshed out program which has been very successful at school. (Mentee 2023)
- Meeting other TLs and learning about what others are doing in their library programs. (Mentee 2023)
- Developing my skills in sharing and encouraging a colleague in their journey as a TL. (Mentor 2022)
- It was an opportunity for a member of the profession to guide me through the ups and downs of my role. It was recommended by a friend that I utilise a mentor to grow professionally. (Mentee 2022)
This SIG operates from April to December each year. Applications for 2025 will open in February.
About Networking SIG
In 2023 SLANSW introduced a new Networking Special Interest Group (SIG) to provide a platform to support members and encourage ongoing dialogue in our professional learning community. The Networking SIG also provides a continuing networking opportunity for graduate mentees and mentors of the Mentoring SIG.
The aim of the Networking SIG is to create opportunities for our members to network and discuss a variety of issues and topics in a variety of ways and formats. Meetings will be offered in face-to-face as well as online modes. The SLANSW Professional Learning Book Club is also a part of this SIG.
About Non-Teaching School Library SIG
The Non-Teaching School Library Staff Special Interest Group is an informal gathering held each term. Participants are encouraged to bring along their coffee and connect with others. The hour-long session often involves presentations providing practical ideas and inspiration about relevant topics for library professionals. There are opportunities for small group discussions and all participants to share what’s working in their library or to discuss common challenges.
About Research SIG
The aim of the Research Special Interest Group is to encourage and support its members to engage in reflective practices that explore and communicate the impact of the services, programs, and spaces in their school libraries. Group members are encouraged to identify a change they would like to make in their libraries or a new strategy they would like to try and will be supported in areas such as data collection and analysis, and appropriate ways to communicate their project findings for maximum impact. The hour-long meetings of the group comprise a short information session followed by discussion and the sharing of ideas and practices.
Suggested Standards addressed by this Online Meet-up
Standard 6 Engage in professional learning
Standard 7 Engage professionally with colleagues, parents/carers and the community
Certificate of participation available via request to: info@slansw.net.au
About SLANSW Online Meet-Ups
The one-hour meet-ups take place in SLANSW's Zoom Conference Room and include a presentation from a guest speaker, with facilitated discussion between participants. We aim to include Q&A time as a wrap-up of each online meetup.
A maximum of 100 places are available for each meet-up, so get your registrations in ASAP.
Participation in SLANSW online meet-ups is at no cost to members. Non-members may access the meet-ups for $45 per session.
The one-hour meet-up takes place in SLANSW's Zoom conference room.
Those who register for this event will receive an email within 24 hours before the event, with details to access this online session.
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