“… anyone who keeps learning stays young” – Henry Ford
Here at Hauraki District Libraries, we believe that you can learn something new every day. And which better place to do this than at your local library? Whether it be taking part in our scheduled programmes such as the DORA bus visit, our Bookchats, Story Times or our Senior movies, or just visiting to get help with your digital device, peruse the newspapers or JUST READ! Our online reading material is becoming increasingly popular, with ePlatform and BorrowBox offering bestsellers on eBook and eAudio, all free with your library membership. As we have just completed the Council financial year, I thought I would share some interesting stats that you have contributed to by using our libraries – thank you: Almost 500 new members joined our libraries; 124,807 items were issued to our members; and just over 20,000 books were downloaded and read online.
As I head overseas on annual leave for three weeks, I know that I will be leaving the libraries in the good hands of my Team. Our Library Staff members are friendly and approachable, and very knowledgeable. If they cannot help you straight away, they will more than likely be able to point you in the right direction. Spring is around the corner, so keep warm and read more!
DORA Visit
We recently had DORA - the digital on-road assistance bus - visit all three of our district libraries to help people in our communities with digital literacy. DORA is a fully self-contained digital classroom on wheels! This visit was focused on accessing health services / apps such as Manage My Health, however we would love your feedback to see what digital help you would like in the future! We can offer classes on topics such as internet banking, computer basics, intro to smartphones and apps and much more.
Photo ~ Libraries’ Team Leader Marion on-board DORA!
Winter School Holiday Programme
Our Matariki-themed Winter School Holiday Programme was a great success! A huge thank you to Michelle Johns for coming and reading to the tamariki for our Matariki Storytelling session! We also had some fabulous star mobiles created; seeds were planted; 3D stars designed and printed, plus beautiful coloured stars are on display on the wall at Waihī Library. We love sharing the school holidays with you in our libraries and look forward to seeing you next time!
Paris Olympics Reading List
Teen
Of boys and boats by Ian Trevaskis - It is 1956 and Melbourne is hosting the Olympic Games. Jack Spiller and his mates are caught up in the excitement, running their own torch relay around the block each night while the Olympic Torch travels from Darwin to Melbourne. When Jack discovers an unfinished sailboat in the shed of recluse 'Mad' Mick Metcalf, Jack convinces Mick to let him and his mates finish building it.
Just breathe by Andrew Daddo -
Hendrix's father has a vision - to see Hendrix run for Australia at the Olympics. Hendrix's days are completely mapped out. A beautiful young adult coming of age novel that looks at grief, love and humanity.
Adult Fiction
The horsewoman by James Patterson - Maggie Atwood and Becky McCabe - mother and daughter, both champion riders - vowed to never, ever, compete against one another. But a dramatic turn of events ahead of the Paris Olympics changes everything. Mother and daughter share a dream: to be the best in the world. Only one rider can fulfil that dream and make history.
Fast girls: a novel of the 1936 women’s Olympic team - In the 1928 Olympics, Chicago's Betty Robinson competed as a member of the first-ever women's delegation in track and field, and was feted as America's Golden Girl - until a nearly-fatal airplane crash threatens to end everything…..As the United States and Europe edge closer to the brink of war, Betty, Louise, and Helen must fight for the chance to compete as the fastest women in the world amidst the pomp and pageantry of the Nazi-sponsored 1936 Olympics in Berlin.
Adult Non-Fiction
Unbroken: the extraordinary true story of courage and survival by Laura Hillenbrand
(940.547252 HIL) - In boyhood, Louis Zamperini had been a cunning and incorrigible delinquent, as a teenager, he channelled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that carried him to the Berlin Olympics and within sight of the four-minute mile. But when war called the athlete, he became an airman, embarking on a journey that led to a doomed flight, a tiny raft, and thousands of miles of open ocean. Adrift on the foundering raft, Zamperini would face sharks, thirst and starvation and enemy aircraft.
Open: the autobiography by Andre Agassi (796.342 AGAS) - The son of an Iranian Olympic boxer, tennis star Andre Agassi won Olympic gold for the USA and married a German Olympic tennis gold medallist. This engrossing memoir tells the story of how he became one of the world’s best tennis players.
Book Review
Forever Home by Graham Norton
Whose body is in the freezer? Not who you think! ‘Forever Home’ is a domestic drama cross murder mystery set in a small Irish town with a few good twists! An entertaining read by Irish Comedian - Graham Norton. I can highly recommend all his previous fiction novels such as ‘Home Stretch’, ‘A Keeper’ and ‘Holding’.
Review by Sue from Ngātea Book Chat
Senior Film Session
Our Senior Film Sessions continue to be a huge hit at our libraries! Our August film is ‘Agatha and the Truth of Murder’. Feel free to come along to these showings.
Our next film session is
Friday August 30.