9Apr2021 Read more Books for Fiji Last month Fiji was hit by one of the strongest cyclones ever recorded leaving a path of devastation in its wake. The second to batter the island nation, in recent months, Cyclone Ana caused severe flooding and forced around 10,000 people to evacuate. The NZ Government was quick to send aid. Learn More
6Apr2021 Read more Tauranga Library Celebrates 150 years On this day, 7 April 1871, three men had a meeting at the Masonic Hotel about providing the local community with reading material. Little did they know this would sow the seeds of the library that Tauranga enjoys today. Learn More
15Mar2021 Read more Te Pouhuaki | National Librarian, Rachel Esson, explains Libraries have been around for thousands of years. If society kept everything ever written whether, on tablet, scroll, parchment or illustrated manuscript, it would be a very crowded house. Culling book collections or "weeding" is a regular practice within libraries where contemporary technologies and a commitment to sustainability and good business (libraries’ budgets are finite) ensure library users can still access international publications online, as well as through interloan. Learn More
10Mar2021 Read more Life Through Lockdown During Level 4, Manawatu District Libraries ran a poetry competition asking the community to share their feelings and experiences and then published a runaway success! Learn More
8Mar2021 Read more Author shares her love of public libraries. The first in a series of essays commissioned by PLNZ, Briar Grace-Smith's essay, "To My Local" can be read in The Spinoff. Learn More
4Mar2021 Read more Wellingtonians on the march to save library The protest is against the reduction in library resources, among other things, proposed by the Wellington City Council last week. PLNZ Executive Director explains. Learn More
2Mar2021 Read more An Open Letter to the Mayor of Wellington The decision by Wellington City Council to cut the book budget and privatise several floors of the planned Wellington Central Library has raised considerable concern across the public library sector and throughout Wellington city communities, and rightly so. The difficulty facing the Council is not one of finding ways to make savings to compensate for big-ticket infrastructure bills, the difficulty is whether this decision is in the current and future interests of the city and its citizens. These proposed budget cutbacks are also occurring at a time when customer demand for library services is increasing. Learn More
1Mar2021 Read more National Strategic Framework receives international recognition The National Strategic Framework of New Zealand has been picked up by an Australian library. Every few years, public libraries develop a national strategy. Learn about the direction of your local library by downloading a copy. Learn More
9Feb2021 Read more Seeking Young Writers The NZSA Youth Mentorship Programme offers aspiring four young writers (aged 15-18) a mentorship, from May to November, and is now open for applications. Click here for more information and to apply. Learn More
5Feb2021 Read more A New Chapter for Whakatāne Toy Library There are nearly 200 local toy libraries across New Zealand providing families and children access to a range of quality toys. Learn More
3Feb2021 Read more Somewhere a Cleaner According to the 2018 Census, 38,577 people were working as cleaners in New Zealand. This collection of poetry from Landing Press brings together the experiences of people who clean hospitals, hotels, offices, and their own homes Learn More
1Feb2021 Read more Ross Miller, Bookseller Renowned for his big brown bags of books, Ross was a committed, and dedicated bookseller providing a personalised, friendly service to libraries. Learn More
14Jan2021 Read more Temporary closure for Napier Library. Initial problems with the library's' sprinkler system could bring down the roof in a seismic event, says Council. Learn More
4Dec2020 Read more Easy Tips and Tricks to Get Your Child Reading This Summer Summer reading is not just for children. It is for everyone. This summer holiday join a summer reading challenge at your local library and make the love of reading a lifetime activity Learn More
7Nov2020 Read more Meet Tahi and Rua Whanganui's new library vans! Whanganui District Library has two new library vans to replace their old mobile bus. Learn More
5Nov2020 Read more Upper Hutt Libraries go fine-free! 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. Learn More
18Sep2020 Read more Kete - the place to find our stories Want to learn more about books published in New Zealand. Check out this website! Learn More
3Sep2020 Read more The History of Public Libraries in New Zealand 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. Learn More
5Aug2020 Read more New role of the New Zealand Reading Ambassador for children and young people announced 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. Learn More
3Aug2020 Read more Te Tāhuhu o Te Rangi library, Ōpōtiki to receive Government funding boost 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 Learn More
22Jul2020 Read more Keep New Zealand Reading 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. Learn More
22Jul2020 Read more Any Questions 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. Learn More
2Jun2020 Read more Cool writing programme for Teens 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”. Learn More
15May2020 Read more Librarians on the front line. 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. Learn More
10Apr2020 Read more Opinion Piece - The New Norm 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? Learn More
18Dec2019 Read more Blokes vs Books 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. Learn More