Library news

Winter Warmers Reading Programme

Come in to your nearest Waikato District Libraries to register for our winter reading programme, which runs from from the 18th of June to the 27th of July. The theme this year is the Olympics.

Participants are required to give responses to 10 books, which will earn them a sticker on their 'road to the Olympics' map. Once 5 and 10 stickers are respectively earned, you receive a prize!

Ngaruawahia temporary library closure

The Ngaruawahia library building on Jesmond Street has been closed on April 20 for safety reasons. A limited library service will be available from Monday 23 April in the reception area of the Waikato District Council’s head office on Galileo Street, Ngaruawahia. An alternative internet service will be available from the Computer Consultancy Internet Café at 29 Jesmond Street. Users will need to show their library card and will receive 30 minutes of free internet use.
The library was closed after a report from a structural engineer concluded it was below the current earthquake standards, and posed a risk of collapse during an earthquake. The council expects to make a decision soon on whether the library will be repaired and reopen on the current site or whether it will be shifted to a temporary site. 

Awards finalist author visit to Huntly

On Wednesday 9 May Huntly Library hosted a visit from New Zealand Children’s book Awards finalist Adele Broadbent at the Huntly Civic Centre. Huntly and Garden Place Library Hamilton were the only two places visited in the Waikato by Adele.

Adele wrote “Just Jack”, a Junior Fiction read about wee Jack Baines, a 14 year old who leaves home to become a jockey apprentice in 1930. The story is about his journey to becoming a winning jockey, proving himself to his family, losing his life-long nickname – Wee Jack and becoming just Jack. He has to overcome a tough boss, a bullying rival apprentice and the Napier earthquake as part of his journey.

A great read not just for children, but adults too.

About 180 children and their teachers from St Anthony’s Catholic, Huntly Primary and Huntly West schools filled the Civic Centre to capacity. For an hour the children listened to Adele’s history on how she became an author, asked her questions and received hints on how to go about writing their own stories.

She certainly put paid to any ideas of becoming rich immediately by being an author. Adele started writing “Just Jack” in 2003, had many rejections and rewrites and now only receives $2 per book sold. We purchased these books for the libraries at $20 per copy (discounted price)! As Adele commented, “Don’t give up your day job”.

Adele’s visit and the Book Awards were made possible by the sponsorship of New Zealand Post, Creative New Zealand and Booksellers Tokens New Zealand. Regional coordinator Fiona Hancock from Hamilton City Libraries acted as chauffer for the day.

Already there has been a flow-on effect from her visit, with requests for her previous book “Too many secrets”, and interest in “Just Jack”.
 

Hunger Games Fever

In the wake of the release of the motion picture, Suzanne Collins' trilogy is proving very popular with readers. Our libraries have multiple copies of each book. You can reserve a copy via our online catalogue.

Tuakau Library news and events

 All our usual groups are happening :

Toddler Time will take place each Thursday and Friday morning, 10.45-11.15am (excepting school holidays).

Skoob will take place on either the first or second Monday of each month, 3.30-4.30pm. Please enquire for specific dates.

Bookchat is  next scheduled for Wednesday 30th May, 7-9pm. A reading list for the year is available upon request.

All these events take place at the Library: 72 George Street, Tuakau and your presence is most welcome!

Skoob group had more fun in May icing cupcakes for Mothers day:

Toddler Time has been creative with Mice Masks:

View our latest newsletter

Talking Book collection

Have you tried one of our talking books? We have a large selection of titles available so next time you are visiting make sure you have a look at what's available. They are handy to have for long car trips, maybe while you are driving to work, or if your eyes are straining at night, or maybe you are not a reader? Talking books are great! You just need to come in and select a title you like, pop it in your CD player and away you go. New titles always available as this is a floating collection amoungst all our branches.

BookChat in Huntly

Do you enjoy reading?  Do you like discussing what you have read?

On the first Tuesday of each month the  Book Chat group meet at the Riverside Rooms in Huntly (behind the North Waikato News office).

Just turn up at 10am with your latest book in hand for an informal discussion, a cuppa and good company - we welcome new members.

Each month we have a "challenge" to read something different. Come along and bring a friend, we look forward to seeing you. 

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