Who am I?

My name is Senga White and I am an information and knowledge specialist, currently working as the Research Librarian at Invercargill City Libraries and Archives, Southland, New Zealand.

In my previous roles in the school library sector, I developed strategies to embed information literacy and research skills through the curriculum at all year levels using the Information Literacy Framework. This includes planning lessons and teaching related skills

My most recent projects include:

• Involvement in a New Zealand research team, Transforming information Literacy space(s) to support student learning, funded for three years by Teaching Learning Research Initiative (TLRI) where we aim to improve students’ information literacy (IL) competencies and learning across senior secondary and tertiary sectors, through developing collaborative partnerships between teachers and librarians. We have an Information Literacy Spaces blog and a Facebook page so you can follow our journey.
• Currently working towards a Master of Contemporary Education, after completing a postgraduate certificate of Applied Practice in digital and collaborative learning through Mindlab
• Recipient of an NZEI Te Riu Roa Scholarship for 2019.  My project focus is Information Literacy Skills for Lifelong Learning – a Collaborative Approach.

As part of my professional journey, I have also developed the Tertiary Prep Programme which is designed to enable those wishing to be successful in learning beyond secondary school to achieve and succeed.  This is successful for Year 13 students to help with their transition from secondary to tertiary learning, as well as those who have had a break from formal learning and wish to resume, including distance learners, and adults who have never studied beyond school but are now considering further study.

My work is my passion! I am a life-long reader and lover of books. I love to match readers to books they’ll fall in love with or be impacted  by. I have also created a Library Skills – Learning for Life workbook, aimed at Year 7-10 students which combines library skills with elements of research skills and reading enjoyment.

My other passion is supporting quality library services in every school in New Zealand, through mentoring equally passionate, enthusiastic library staff who love working with children and teenagers.  This is why I was a member of the National Executive of SLANZA (School Library Association of New Zealand Aotearoa) for seven years, including a term as president from 2009 to 2011.  My philosophy is, it’s all about collaboration, brainstorming and putting your “money where your mouth is!”

I served as the schools’ representative on the EPIC Governance Group (EGG) from 2007 to 2014.  EPIC (Electronic Purchasing in Collaboration) is the national e-licensing initiative that makes a package of electronic resources available to all New Zealanders through libraries who are consortium members. The EPIC Governance Group (EGG), comprised of ten library sector representatives, was responsible for the strategic direction of EPIC and guided the operation of the consortium.

I am a professionally registered librarian RLIANZA and served as a member of the LIANZA (Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa) Profession Registration Board from 2013 to 2016.

I’d love to hear from you so please feel free to comment on any of my blog posts, or if you’d like to make contact, email me at sengaw@windowslive.com  or find me on twitter.