Facebook
Wendy Wright school library software user story

Librarian Talk – Wendy Wright – Avonside Girls' High & Shirley Boys' High

Welcome to Librarian Talk, the place where librarians get to talk about their roles, their unique situations and how Accessit Library has helped them. This week, we speak with Wendy Wright, Library Manager at Avonside Girls’ High & Shirley Boys’ High about how she makes the most of Accessit Library.

I’m a Library Manager with 14 years’ experience. I started at a small country school in North Canterbury converting their library from a card catalogue system to a computerised library management system with support and training from Services to Schools.

I live on a small farm and love country living with all the pets and opportunities it provides.

Last year I had a wonderful achievement with my new library team of Imogen Loakman and Louise Reichwein. We merged two separate school libraries into one shared space for two schools. This involved a huge amount of interaction with two sets of school management teams and Accessit, developing its library management system to work for our unique use case.

Wendy Wright

Library Manager, Avonside Girls' High & Shirley Boys' High, NZ

What character in a book has influenced you the most?

Dibs from “Dibs in search of self”, an older book that tore at my heart.

Tell us about your library! What makes it unique?

My library serves grades 5-12 and it is gorgeous. It has a lot of windows, so it is always easy to tell what the weather is outside. The metal roof lets us know how hard it is raining, too. We have a lot of books, over 25,000, with a smallish student population. I feel really lucky to be able to work in such a resource rich, beautiful space. (I miss it terribly during quarantine.)

Wow everything, my awesome staff Imogen and Louise make it very unique. A lot has been asked of them in the last 12 months! Everything is new, systems, timetables, school cultures and collections etc.

We work in New Zealand’s first co-sited school library, accommodating two single sex schools that have shared common spaces, one being our Māpuna library. We merged two separate schools’ collections into one with the ongoing challenge of reporting to each school separately using gender or virtual groups.

This has meant we have had a close relationship with Accessit technicians and had them on speed dial especially in the first few months, we asked a lot of them and their library management system due to our unique situation.

What is a challenge that you faced in your library recently?

Reporting has been a challenge as not all reports can be picked by gender. It’s very important we can offer both schools their own unique data sets.

We are considering a curb-side drop off and pick up of requested materials.

How did Accessit Library help you solve this challenge?

The help desk using the fantastic Team Viewer option talked us through using vertical groups for the reporting to get the exact data we required.

How has your attitude changed towards the challenge you solved with Accessit Library, now that you’ve worked through it?

We have gained confidence and can now offer both schools the data they require. A huge relief that it was actually an easy fix once we tapped into the knowledge of the Accessit Help desk.

What do you like the most about Accessit Library?

We love Team Viewer and the confident team member who is on the other end of the phone, showing us a way to resolve our issue.

I also love their ability to hear us and our issues and sometimes just say we actually are not sure how that could work, but we will talk to our development team and get back to you and every single time they did, with a solution.

How does Accessit Library support the academic outcomes of your school?

We can quickly identify our popular titles and use that info to build the collection, thus increasing the reading of our students by providing similar popular text.
It also allows us to be very efficient in managing the departments textbooks for both schools so they can confidently be issued to students for extended text assessments.

Here are stories from other New Zealand librarians making the most of their school library software that may be of interest to you:

Delia Achten – Ashburton College

Amy Featonby – Cambridge High School

Lynn Vare – Otago Boys’ High School

The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Reading Program in an International School

The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Reading Program in an International School

How to Prove Your Library’s Impact and Win Support: A Guide for International Schools

How to Prove Your Library’s Impact and Win Support: A Guide for International Schools

What Makes a “Busy” Library in an International School – and Why It Matters

What Makes a “Busy” Library in an International School – and Why It Matters

How International Schools Can Automate Their Library & Free Up Time for What Matters 

How International Schools Can Automate Their Library & Free Up Time for What Matters 

Beyond the Shelves: How Accessit Helps School Libraries Every Step of the Way

Beyond the Shelves: How Accessit Helps School Libraries Every Step of the Way

Books to Help Teach Empathy

Books to Help Teach Empathy

Picture Books – Top Picks

Picture Books – Top Picks

A Learning and Marketing Tool to Increase Student Engagement

A Learning and Marketing Tool to Increase Student Engagement

Bring on The Comics!

Bring on The Comics!

The (Multiple) Books of Christmas

The (Multiple) Books of Christmas

What Does Information Literacy Mean?

What Does Information Literacy Mean?

Substitution Rules Don’t Have To Be Scary

Substitution Rules Don’t Have To Be Scary

Embedding the Library as a Whole School Resource

Embedding the Library as a Whole School Resource

Getting Creative With Visual Search

Getting Creative With Visual Search

Starting The Year Off Right in Your Library

Starting The Year Off Right in Your Library

Case Study – Avondale School, NSW

Case Study – Avondale School, NSW

Case Study – Riva Primary, WA

Case Study – Riva Primary, WA

Including Digital Resources in Your Library

Including Digital Resources in Your Library

Let’s Talk Libraries: Cheney School – Jill Fenton

Let’s Talk Libraries: Cheney School – Jill Fenton

Let’s Talk Libraries: Bishop Gilpin C of E Primary School – Sally Le Marquand

Let’s Talk Libraries: Bishop Gilpin C of E Primary School – Sally Le Marquand

Creating a School-wide Reading Culture

Creating a School-wide Reading Culture

Let’s Talk Libraries: Thomas Hardye School – Jenny Stevens

Let’s Talk Libraries: Thomas Hardye School – Jenny Stevens

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Good Help (OLGH) – Sarah Olushonde

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Good Help (OLGH) – Sarah Olushonde

Let’s Talk Libraries: St Anthony’s High School – Jill Adler

Let’s Talk Libraries: St Anthony’s High School – Jill Adler

Let’s Talk Libraries: Somerhill – Susan Smith

Let’s Talk Libraries: Somerhill – Susan Smith

Let’s Talk Libraries: Beacon Academy – Natasha Allen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Beacon Academy – Natasha Allen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Southland Girls’ High School

Let’s Talk Libraries: Southland Girls’ High School

Let’s Talk Libraries: Littlehampton Primary – Barb O’Connor

Let’s Talk Libraries: Littlehampton Primary – Barb O’Connor

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Hill School (US) – Nancy Body, Catherine Clowes

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Hill School (US) – Nancy Body, Catherine Clowes

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Lourdes – Danielle Leathart

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Lourdes – Danielle Leathart

Let’s Talk Libraries: Richmond & Prahran High School – Karys McEwen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Richmond & Prahran High School – Karys McEwen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Croxley Danes School – Victoria Rovira

Let’s Talk Libraries: Croxley Danes School – Victoria Rovira

The Lovett School – Storybook Pumpkin Contest

The Lovett School – Storybook Pumpkin Contest

Web App of the Week: World Book Day (UK) – Free download

Web App of the Week: World Book Day (UK) – Free download

Web App of the Week: Waitangi Day – Free download

Web App of the Week: Waitangi Day – Free download

Supporting Reluctant Readers

Supporting Reluctant Readers

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Lovett School – Robyn Martin

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Lovett School – Robyn Martin

Let’s Talk Libraries: Lloyd Street Primary School (VIC)

Let’s Talk Libraries: Lloyd Street Primary School (VIC)

Let’s Talk Libraries: Seatoun School – Wendy Bamber

Let’s Talk Libraries: Seatoun School – Wendy Bamber

Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Competition Recap

Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Competition Recap

Raising the profile of your school library

Raising the profile of your school library

Let’s Talk Libraries: Christian College Geelong (VIC) – Gerradine Barry

Let’s Talk Libraries: Christian College Geelong (VIC) – Gerradine Barry

Let’s Talk Libraries: Paula Na Nagara – St Mark’s School 

Let’s Talk Libraries: Paula Na Nagara – St Mark’s School 

Let’s Talk Libraries: Diocese of Toowoomba (QLD) – Liz Newman

Let’s Talk Libraries: Diocese of Toowoomba (QLD) – Liz Newman

Let’s Talk Libraries: Peace Lutheran College (QLD) – Tanya Mills

Let’s Talk Libraries: Peace Lutheran College (QLD) – Tanya Mills

Web App of the Week: Halloween – Free download

Web App of the Week: Halloween – Free download

The Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Free resource download

The Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Free resource download

Accessit Library Talks – Episode 1 – Kevin Arscott of Coleg Gwent

Accessit Library Talks – Episode 1 – Kevin Arscott of Coleg Gwent

Web App of the Week: Dixons Cottingley Academy

Web App of the Week: Dixons Cottingley Academy

Web App of the Week: Sydenham School

Web App of the Week: Sydenham School

Librarians of Accessit – Sarah Pavey

Librarians of Accessit – Sarah Pavey

An introduction to using Social Media in your library

An introduction to using Social Media in your library

Web App of the Week: Denefield School

Web App of the Week: Denefield School

Getting students involved in your school library

Getting students involved in your school library

Web App of the Week: Environment Day & World Oceans Day – Free Download

Web App of the Week: Environment Day & World Oceans Day – Free Download

Web App of the Week – Ursuline Academy of Dallas

Web App of the Week – Ursuline Academy of Dallas

Web App of the Week – Woodland Middle School Academy

Web App of the Week – Woodland Middle School Academy

Web App of the Week – Anzac Day – Free download

Web App of the Week – Anzac Day – Free download

Web App of the Week – Sarah Bonnell School

Web App of the Week – Sarah Bonnell School

Librarian Talk – Claire Bavister – Woodland Middle School Academy 

Librarian Talk – Claire Bavister – Woodland Middle School Academy 

Librarian Talk – Mary McGavin – Fulham Prep School

Librarian Talk – Mary McGavin – Fulham Prep School

Web App of the Week: Happy Holidays – Free download

Web App of the Week: Happy Holidays – Free download

Librarian Talk – Poonampal Kaur – Sarah Bonnell School

Librarian Talk – Poonampal Kaur – Sarah Bonnell School

How to promote your school library catalogue

How to promote your school library catalogue

Librarian Talk – Jason Saikaly – Barker College

Librarian Talk – Jason Saikaly – Barker College

How to approach collection development in school libraries

How to approach collection development in school libraries

Web App of the Week – Thornbury High School

Web App of the Week – Thornbury High School

Lynn Swannell – Mount Eliza Secondary College, Victoria, Australia

Lynn Swannell – Mount Eliza Secondary College, Victoria, Australia

Librarian Talk – Wendy Wright – Avonside Girls’ High & Shirley Boys’ High

Librarian Talk – Wendy Wright – Avonside Girls’ High & Shirley Boys’ High

15 downloadable resources every school librarian needs

15 downloadable resources every school librarian needs

Web App of the Week – Ashburton College

Web App of the Week – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Leisa Westerhof – Norwood Morialta High School

Librarian Talk – Leisa Westerhof – Norwood Morialta High School

Web App of the Week – Barker College

Web App of the Week – Barker College

Librarian Talk – Delia Achten – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Delia Achten – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Frances Currie – Prendergast Vale School

Librarian Talk – Frances Currie – Prendergast Vale School

Web App of the Week – Durrington High School

Web App of the Week – Durrington High School

Web App of the Week – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Web App of the Week – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Librarian Talk – Melissa Ashby – Wanaka Primary School

Librarian Talk – Melissa Ashby – Wanaka Primary School

Web App of the Week: Matariki – Free Download

Web App of the Week: Matariki – Free Download

Librarian Talk – Sasha Roth – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Librarian Talk – Sasha Roth – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Web App of the Week – Wanaka Primary School

Web App of the Week – Wanaka Primary School

Librarian Talk – Jill Marriott – Corinna School

Librarian Talk – Jill Marriott – Corinna School

Web App of the Week – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Web App of the Week – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Librarian Talk – Gemma Sosnowsky – Queen Elizabeth School

Librarian Talk – Gemma Sosnowsky – Queen Elizabeth School

Librarian Talk – Donna Harris – Great Baddow High School

Librarian Talk – Donna Harris – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Abington Friends School

Web App of the Week – Abington Friends School

Librarian Talk – Kay Morfett – Rolleston School

Librarian Talk – Kay Morfett – Rolleston School

Web App of the Week – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Web App of the Week – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Gabrielle Wales – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Librarian Talk – Gabrielle Wales – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Web App of the Week – Rolleston School

Web App of the Week – Rolleston School

Librarian Talk – Sally Baker – High School Librarian

Librarian Talk – Sally Baker – High School Librarian

Web App of the Week: Harmony ISD

Web App of the Week: Harmony ISD

Librarian Talk – Barbara Krainik – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Barbara Krainik – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Jill Adler – St. Anthony’s High School

Librarian Talk – Jill Adler – St. Anthony’s High School

Web App of the Week: The Jedi Academy

Web App of the Week: The Jedi Academy

Web App of the Week: St Anthony’s High School

Web App of the Week: St Anthony’s High School

Librarian Talk – Lori Davis – District Librarian

Librarian Talk – Lori Davis – District Librarian

Librarian Talk — Toni Vahlsing — Abington Friends School 

Librarian Talk — Toni Vahlsing — Abington Friends School 

Diversity and Inclusion – Accessit Book Club

Diversity and Inclusion – Accessit Book Club

Supporting mental health in the library: Mallinson Library, Wellington College, Berkshire

Supporting mental health in the library: Mallinson Library, Wellington College, Berkshire

Loving books this Valentine’s Day!

Loving books this Valentine’s Day!

Information and Digital Literacy – Richer Through Collaboration

Information and Digital Literacy – Richer Through Collaboration

The library – a safe space for everyone

The library – a safe space for everyone

On the Road Again – NZ Roadshow 2019

On the Road Again – NZ Roadshow 2019

Genrefying your library: Unley High School

Genrefying your library: Unley High School

Building a Strong Reading Culture: St Rita’s College Library

Building a Strong Reading Culture: St Rita’s College Library

Australia Roadshow 2019 – a great success!

Australia Roadshow 2019 – a great success!

Creating an amazing online library presence

Creating an amazing online library presence

Deepening literacy engagement

Deepening literacy engagement

Tsukuba International School

Tsukuba International School

Otago Boys’ High School

Otago Boys’ High School

Le Régent College

Le Régent College

Wesley Intermediate School

Wesley Intermediate School

Fuqua School

Fuqua School

Kamo High School

Kamo High School

Mental Health Foundation of NZ

Mental Health Foundation of NZ

Leicestershire County Council

Leicestershire County Council

Cambridge High School

Cambridge High School

Saint Kentigern College

Saint Kentigern College

Culford School

Culford School

Greenhithe School

Greenhithe School

Reynella East College

Reynella East College

Tyndale Christian School

Tyndale Christian School

Shepparton High School

Shepparton High School