August 2025 Library Newsletter

Tēnā kotou katoa, ko Karen taku ingoa. Ko ahau kaitiaki pukapuka matua ngā whakaaturanga. 

Hello, my name is Karen and I am the Senior Librarian – Programmes. A little bit about myself, I currently create and facilitate the programmes for Hauraki District Libraries. I have worked in public libraries for twenty-five years, starting in Hamilton Libraries before moving to Hauraki in 2010. I have had several roles at Hauraki District Libraries, as a Library Assistant, Children’s Librarian and Team Leader of Waihī Library. These roles have all contributed to my current role and have made my time in libraries interesting. 

My goal is to create programmes for all age groups, and I am happy to hear any suggestions. Our popular programmes include our Story Times, Senior Movies and Holiday Programmes for school aged children. I also facilitate the reading challenges and competitions during Māori language week and Matariki. We have just completed judging our latest poetry and short story competition. The displays in the libraries also fall under my role and these involve year-round planning and creating with the other staff. This role definitely suits my personality as it is ever changing. 

Don’t forget if you have any suggestions for new programmes, I would like to hear about them, and remember to follow our Facebook page and Newsletter or come into the Libraries to find out what is happening. 

Ka kite koe i te whare pukapuka! See you in the library!

Our recent Story Time session at Waihī Library was an absolute blast, especially with the wonderful kindy group who visited! It's truly heartwarming to see young imaginations spark and a love for reading begin to blossom right here in our library. Join us for more fun and adventure at our regular story time sessions: 

Paeroa Library: Every Tuesday from 10:30am 

Waihī Library: Every Wednesday from 10:30am 

These sessions are the perfect opportunity for little ones to explore the magic of books, make new friends, and create cherished memories. We can't wait to welcome you and your tamariki soon!

A huge congratulations to the winners of our Matariki Writing Competition! 

We were absolutely blown away by the incredible talent and heartfelt stories shared this year. Your entries beautifully captured the spirit of Matariki, and it was truly inspiring to read them all. The colouring-in entries from our under 5s were also lovely! 

A massive round of applause to all our winners: Ira (10-12 yrs Poetry), Leah (13-15 yrs Poetry), Isabella (10-12 yrs Short Story) and Ali (13-15 yrs Short Story). And a big congrats to Bobby (pictured) for winning our under 5 Matariki Colouring Competition! 

All schools that participated were put into a draw and Ngātea Primary emerged as the winner. We would like to extend a big thank you to everyone who participated. Your creativity and passion for storytelling made this competition a huge success.

Want to read the winning stories? Our 1st and 2nd place entries are now available to read at both Paeroa and Waihī Libraries! Head on down and get inspired.

BorrowBox is a user-friendly digital platform that gives library members free access to eBooks, eAudiobooks, newspapers, and magazines. It offers a wide range of fiction and non-fiction, including bestsellers and new releases, catering to all ages and interests. BorrowBox features an extensive variety of local and international newspapers and magazines, perfect for staying informed and entertained on the go. These can be accessed by clicking on the ePress icon. As a Hauraki District Library member, you can choose from over 1600 ePress titles. The app is easy to navigate, and enhances library services by delivering content to your fingertips anytime, anywhere.

As a Library Assistant, I often recommend BorrowBox to patrons looking for an easy and accessible way to enjoy reading material that may not be available in our physical collection. I especially recommend it for its extensive range of newspapers and magazines. It’s a fantastic resource for accessing local, national, and international titles – including back issues and harder to find publications, especially in rural areas. 

BorrowBox offers instant digital delivery with a standard 14-day loan period for eBooks and 28-day loan period for ePress. If you forget to return an item, it is automatically returned at the end of the loan. It also eliminates the need to purchase physical copies or take out multiple subscriptions, which is a real bonus for budget-conscious readers. 

Available on iOS and Android, BorrowBox includes thoughtful accessibility features such as font resizing, text customisation, and is compatible with some screen readers. It’s an excellent tool that makes reading convenient, affordable and inclusive for everyone.

BorrowBox is a great way to enjoy newspapers and magazines without the clutter or cost of physical copies. By borrowing digital newspapers and magazines, users help reduce paper waste while still accessing a wide range of local and international titles. You can borrow and download titles straight to your device – perfect for reading offline, whether you’re travelling or out of coverage. It’s free, easy to use, and there are no late fees. A smart, eco-friendly choice for staying informed, and a flexible way to access reading wherever you are. 

I enjoy using BorrowBox to read New Scientist and Wellbeing magazines. New Scientist sparks my curiosity with fascinating articles on science and innovation, while Wellbeing provides thoughtful articles on health, mindfulness, and lifestyle. It’s great having both magazines just a tap away – whenever it suits me. 

Search our BorrowBox collection here.

Review by Julia - Library Assistant

Discover your roots this Family History Month at Hauraki District Libraries. Unearth fascinating stories of your ancestors, connect with your heritage, and build your family tree with our extensive resources including access to Ancestry.com.

Join us at Paeroa Library on Saturday 30 August from 10am - 12 noon for a how-to presentation on using Genealogy resources available at Hauraki District Libraries. This presentation will aid beginners to build their family tree and conduct their own research. This is free to attend and does not require booking, so we hope to see you there! 

And don’t forget about our monthly workshop and drop-in session at Waihī Library on Wednesday 13 August from 10am - 12 noon. 

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

This is set in the 1970’s in a home for unwed mothers. I won’t give away the plot of the story, but it involves witchcraft. This book was amazing with so many twists and turns. I was reading this until I was falling asleep. Every chapter leaves you wanting more, right until the end. 10/10 recommendation. 

Review by Steph - Library Assistant

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

Our August film is ‘Love Sarah’, a feel-good drama which follows a young woman on a mission to fulfil her mother’s dream of opening a bakery in Notting Hill. 

Our next film session is Friday 29 August.

Facebook - www.facebook.com/haurakidistrictlibraries 

Instagram - www.instagram.com/haurakidistrictlibraries 

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

Phone - 07 862 8609 

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