October 2026 Library Newsletter

Please note that all library branches will be CLOSED on Monday 26 October in observance of Labour Day, with normal operating hours resuming on Tuesday 27 October. Additionally, Waihī Library will be closed on Friday 6 November to undergo essential facility upgrades, while our other branches remain open as usual. During both closures, digital services including eBooks, eAudiobooks and online databases, will remain available 24/7 through our website and after-hours bins will be accessible as normal.

Find out what our Book Chat members have been reading!

Did you know we have Book Chat Groups that meet on the first Thursday of every month at Hauraki Plains Library (from 1pm) and Waihī Library (from 10:30am)? We would love to get a Book Chat Group off the ground in Paeroa, so please reach out to us if you’d be interested in this! Our members read a wide variety of books last month! Check out the list below to see what was read:

Algot, Anna Stina and the Water of Life by Jonas Jonasssen 

Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping by Jesse Sutanto 

My Year of Meats by Ruth Ozeki 

The Bequest by Joanna Margaret 

Fall with Me by Becka Mack 

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion 

You Better Not Cry by Augusten Burroughs 

Murder in Paris by Kirsty Manning 

My Pear-Shaped Life by Carmel Harrington 

Four Respectable Ladies Seek Part-Time Husband by Barbara Toner 

Careless by Kirsty Capes 

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson 

Maybe the Horse Will Talk by Elliot Perlman 

The Marmalade Diaries by Ben Aitkin (NF)

Thinking of hosting a wickedly-fun family movie night this Halloween? 

Beamakids+ movies are available free through your library membership! Beamafilm’s dedicated kids' portal features a spooktacular lineup of family-friendly titles perfect for celebrating the season. Gather the ghouls and goblins to stream magical adventures like ‘A Witches Ball’, whimsical fun in ‘My Freaky Family’, mystery and suspense in ‘Victor and the Secret of Crocodile Mansion’ and wild creature stories in ‘Beasts and Witches’. 

Designed specifically for young viewers and families, Beamakids+ delivers unlimited access to a curated, child-safe library of G, PG, and Exempt-rated films, animated series and engaging educational documentaries. 

Local author & illustrator, Robyn Tucker, recently launched her second children’s picture book with us at Waihī Library and we are excited to announce she will be holding two more events this month at Paeroa and Hauraki Plains Libraries! Join us at: 

Paeroa Library on TUESDAY 27 OCTOBER from 10:30am 

Hauraki Plains Library on WEDNESDAY 28 OCTOBER from 10:30am 

You’ll be able to buy your very own copy and have it signed by Robyn herself. School groups and ECE groups are very welcome to attend!

Our Spring School Holiday Programme has just about wrapped up, and what a blast we've had! From stepping into new worlds during our Virtual Reality Sessions, to unleashing creativity with egg-carton animals and crafting adorable paper-bag Rurus, the libraries were buzzing with energy! It was fantastic to see so many young minds exploring, creating, and having fun together throughout the break. Thank you to everyone who joined us. We can’t wait to welcome you back for our next adventure! 

Don’t forget our Tamariki Term 4 Reading Challenge is OUT NOW. Grab a challenge card the next time you visit!

Have you noticed some new faces around our libraries lately? We sat down with our newest team members for a quick Q&A so you can get to know them! This month you’ll meet Nerissa, who will mostly be based at Hauraki Plains Library:

What was your all-time favourite book growing up? I absolutely loved the Warrior Cats series by Erin Hunter. I learned to draw from their ‘how to draw warrior cats’ books! 

What are you currently reading and watching? I just finished ‘The Castle’ by Jon Ronson which is a fascinating – and very perturbing – look into how capitalism has degraded modern community structures, and what kinds of problems that has caused. I’m watching ‘Twin Peaks’ at the moment and loving how cheesy and dramatic it is. 

Fiction or Non-Fiction? Bookmark or Dog-ear? I prefer non-fiction – to me, the truth is often stranger than fiction. And… if I were President, anybody who dog-ears books would be banished to the far side of the moon. 🌙 

What other non-bookish hobbies or interests do you have? I really enjoy doing 3D modelling, learning Japanese, and going on walks around Thames. 

Our Senior Film Sessions continue to be a huge hit at our libraries! 

Our October film is ‘Viceroy’s House’. Set during the turbulent 1947 Partition of India, Viceroy’s House captures the dramatic final days of the British Empire through the eyes of political giants and the palace staff caught in the crossfire. 

Our next film session is Friday 30 October.

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Website - https://library.hauraki-dc.govt.nz

Phone - 07 862 8609 

Email - hdc-library@hauraki-dc.govt.nz