February 2026 Library Newsletter

A word from the Libraries' Team Leader...

The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We can help write that story by setting goals.” – Melody Beattie 

Welcome to 2026! The Team at Hauraki District Libraries have so many exciting plans for the year, in addition to providing the best books, magazines, newspapers and “e-offerings” to cater to everyone’s tastes. Our goals include providing you with live entertainment, stimulating Reading Challenges to take you out of your comfort zone, inviting a friend or two to our movie sessions, providing digital help if you need it, or bringing the kids to read to kurī! 

We have some inspiring author talks lined up for the year. We encourage you to join our Writers’ Group at Waihī if you would like to share your own stories or poetry, or try your hand at Chess in Paeroa. All our activities are on our website and are advertised on Facebook or Instagram, so make sure you have Liked and Followed our pages so that you are kept up to date. 

Have a great year and we hope to see you in one of our three libraries in the near future!


Music in the Library

We are thrilled to announce that Waihī’s very own ‘A Friends Place’ Musical Group will be performing a special live set in the foyer of Waihī Library & Service Centre on Tuesday 10 February.

Event Details: 

Date: Tuesday 10 February 

Time: 10.30am 

Location: Waihī Library foyer 

Admission: Free for all ages! 

The wonderful performers will be raising funds for St. John and information brochures will be available for those wishing to learn more about the organisation’s work.

Adult Reading Challenge 2026

New and improved for 2026!

Get excited because Hauraki District Libraries has revamped our Adult Reading Challenge for 2026! 

We've broken the year up into seasonal reading challenges. Each quarter, you'll be able to read 4 books from 6 different themed choices. 

Your Summer Challenge is to read:

• A book with the theme of a road trip • A book set on an island • A book with a family reunion • A mystery in a resort setting • A book set in the country or a remote place • A summer romance

Registration is required! To sign up, pop into your local branch and ask for a Summer Reading Challenge Card. 

You have until 31 March to complete and hand in your card to go into the draw to win a prize. 

Teen Reading Challenge

Our 2026 Teen Reading Challenge also kicks off with this month's theme: Fairy Tale February! 

How to Participate: 

1. Pick your "Fairy Tale": Grab a book from our "Fairy Tale February" display near the teen section. We also have a large selection of eBooks to fit the theme available to download from ePlatform and BorrowBox. 

2. Read & Complete the Challenge Card: Fill in the back of the challenge card - tell us why you think it matches the challenge. 

We will have different themed challenges each month. The more you complete, the better your chances of winning the prize! 

All challenges must be in by 30 June. 

Upcoming monthly themes: Mysterious March, Awkward April.

Staff Summer Reading Recommendations!

The Bookshop of Secrets by Kerry Barrett ~ Karen

Whistle by Linwood Barclay ~ Julia

The Girl from Donegal by Carmel Harrington ~ Jane

The Names by Florence Knapp ~ Rochelle

The Final Vow by M.W. Craven ~ Steph

Sandy Fin: Operation Splash Landing by Martin Stewart ~ Natasha

The Bogan Book Club by John Larkin ~ Marion

Three Wishes by Liane Moriarty ~ Marion

The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth ~ Marion

The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan ~ Sharlene

Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon ~ Sharlene

Stuck Up and Stupid by Angourie Rice and Kate Rice ~ Sharlene




What's On?

Our Digital Drop-In Sessions, run in partnership with Waihī Resource Centre, are starting again from Tuesday 10 February from 10am-11.30am at Waihī Library. This is a weekly drop-in session every Tuesday with our tech volunteer Matt. No bookings are required and it is free to attend.

Read to Kurī is returning for Term 1! 10-minute sessions are available between 3-4pm at Waihī Library every Friday afternoon during term time. This is a great way to get your children reading and sessions are free to attend. Bookings can be made by emailing us at hdc-library@hauraki-dc.govt.nz. 

Story Time sessions are back! Come along for some picture book fun, read aloud by one of our wonderful librarians. 

Paeroa Library - Tuesday mornings from 10.30am

Waihī Library - Wednesday mornings from 10.30am

Senior Film Sessions

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

Our February film is ‘Night Train to Lisbon’.

These sessions do not need booking and are completely free! So grab a friend and come along! 

Our next film session is Friday 27 February.

Paeroa Library: 11am - 1pm 

Waihī Library: 1pm - 3pm

Follow Us On Socials

Facebook - www.facebook.com/haurakidistrictlibraries 

Instagram - www.instagram.com/haurakidistrictlibraries 

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

Contact Us

Phone - 07 862 8609 

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