The School Library Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (SLANZA) has raised concerns about proposed cuts to the National Library Community Engagement and Learning Team. The School Library Association Of New Zealand Aotearoa (SLANZA) has warned that the proposed 36 percent cut to the number of National Library Community Engagement and Learning Team staff will severely impact services to hundreds of school libraries across Aotearoa.
“We are extremely concerned that reductions will weaken the infrastructure supporting school libraries in the face of increasing challenges in literacy, advocacy, and student engagement with reading,” said SLANZA President Trena Lile.
The National Library Capability Facilitators provide equitable access to high-quality library expertise and resources, professional guidance, and sector leadership to Aotearoa’s school libraries. SLANZA states that this service cannot be replicated elsewhere, and without this support, school libraries are left vulnerable.
The proposed cuts are part of a recently revealed restructure at the National Library and Archives NZ, which the Public Service Association (PSA) said involved 47 roles being axed, representing a 15 percent reduction in staff over two years. The PSA also warned that further cuts across the organisation could be incoming, as the Government has demanded the National Library reduces spending by a further 10 percent.
The proposed use of AI as a replacement for staff has been criticized by Duane Leo, National Secretary for the PSA. Leo stated, “AI won’t be able to catalogue the ever-growing collection of material donated to Archives. AI won’t be able to help people handle millions of records. AI won’t be able to guide school groups through He Tohu, the permanent exhibition of our iconic constitutional documents like Te Tiriti.”
SLANZA is talking with sector partners, including LIANZA and PLNZ, where there is a shared concern about the potential loss of expertise and capability. They said that declining literacy rates in New Zealand demand that students are increasingly supported in the literacy space, not have services and access to resources reduced.
SLANZA urged the government to mandate that every student have access to a well-resourced school library and a specialised librarian, to ensure that all students will have equitable access to the resources needed to achieve their reading and learning potential.
