Whanganui District Library has two new library vans to replace their old mobile bus.

Upper Hutt Libraries joins the movement to make public libraries more accessible. While many libraries have dropped fines for children and teens, Upper Hutt Libraries is the fourth public library in New Zealand to remove all overdue fees.

Keep calm and keep on learning! 

Read about our long and interesting history - thanks to the NZHistory.govt.nz

New Zealand’s first public library, The Port Nicholson Exchange and Public Library, opened in Wellington in 1841. It was established by a group of the city’s first settlers, and operated for one year, at the corner of Charlotte Street (now Molesworth Street) and Lambton Quay, an area now occupied by the Wellington cenotaph. Read more about NZ's first public library.

Like many public libraries around the country, Kaipara District Library, are doing their bit to unite against COVID-19. They are providing homemade masks to their community or in this case, library-made!

This year an innovative approach to the Books Alive events, associated with the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, has been created in response to challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Books Alive finalist events and virtual storytimes are being offered online for the first time!

Is your local library hosting an event? Waipā District Libraries are hosting two events!

The full programme is here.

 

Jacinda Ardern announces new reading ambassador for children and young people at a Celebration of Reading Event at the National Library.

The Reading Ambassador role, to be hosted by the National Library of New Zealand and funded by the Te Puna Foundation, will advocate for and promote the importance of reading in the lives of young New Zealanders, their whānau and communities.

Ōpōtiki CBD projects are getting an $11.9million boost from the Government. The Te Tāhuhu o Te Rangi library and research centre is set to receive some of this. A great outcome for both the project and community

Read NZ Te Pou Muramura is Igniting a love for reading and encouraging all New Zealanders to read more.

The aim is to inspire reluctant or non-readers to pick up a book. After all, reading is one of the most accessible, affordable, and enjoyable activities there is, and its benefits are well documented.

Homework can be a bore, school projects stressful but it doesn’t have to be! AnyQuestions offers free, online help to assist New Zealand students with their schoolwork.

Managed by the National Library of New Zealand and staffed by friendly, trained librarians from around the country.

It’s easy and fun. Using online chat, AnyQuestions librarians work with students to unpack their questions.

Your story matters. Write your story now.

WCL has set up a ‘virtual classroom’ for teens who are in isolation. Programme administrator Stephen says, “This time in lockdown is particularly worrying and isolating for teenagers and I thought this would be a nice way of keeping them connected with each other and the library”.

During a crisis, librarians are there on the frontline.  They number among the unsung heroes and heroines. Often ‘second responders’ stepping up for their communities during manmade and natural disasters, like earthquakes, floods, shootings, eruptions, and financial recessions.

I live in a small rural town. For us the lockdown has been heaven. None of the constant traffic or explosions of population during the tourist season. Like elsewhere in New Zealand we have experienced, cleaner air, birdsong and friendship with our neighbours in ways not possible before the pandemic. A stroll down the street is met with cheery waves and “How are you doing? Keeping safe?

Men don’t read. True or false? Or do they read more non-fiction and product manuals than works of fiction? Maybe they don’t realise how powerful it is for kids to see their Dad reading? Or that reading is a brain food with many proven neurological benefits.