September/October 2024 Library Connect

A WORD FROM THE LIBRARIES' TEAM LEADER ...

“He whare tūmanko te whare Pukapuka.” (“A library is a house of hope…” Doug Wilhelm) 

 As we approach Māori Language week, celebrated in the third week of September every year in Aotearoa, it is time for our libraries to reflect on our purpose in a community. The theme this year is “Ake, ake, ake – a Forever Language”. Our libraries embrace diversity, cultural understanding and lifelong learning. Our collections reflect local, national and international material, from the authors we choose to the official languages of our country. There is something of interest for everyone – why not take some time to learn a little bit of a new language or something about a culture that you don’t know much about by visiting your nearest library this week? 

The week after that is Mental Health Awareness Week and we are showcasing our resources on this important topic as well. In the spirit of supporting our community through friendship, why not invite a friend or three to watch our Senior Movie with you?

The school holidays are rapidly approaching and we have a Spring programme that is literally “Out of this World” – activities based on Space! No bookings needed but come on time so that you don’t miss out. See below for details of these happenings. Remember that we would love to hear from you through a book review! 

Three Course Reads Success!

Did you find your read sweet, smokey, or just bland? These were some of the descriptions that our readers had to choose from when taking part in our Three Course Reads - entrée, mains and dessert -programme for adults! Participants were required to write a brief review of their chosen books in exchange for prizes. On return of the third and last review each participant received a book prize. One participant stated that “although I didn’t really enjoy them – it was nice to try new genres - one of them was a western!” Book prizes were well received and we look forward to more of these types of reading challenges in the future!

Spring School Holiday Programme

Our Spring School Holiday Programme blasts off on Monday 30th September!

We will be running exciting space-themed sessions for tamariki from 10.30am - 12 noon at Paeroa and Waihī Libraries. 

Activities include building a Mars base out of Lego, a Scavenger Hunt, Games & Colouring In, driving our LEGO technic remote-controlled cars, creating a Space Mask and Space Walk Training where you will need to complete activities wearing space gear! 

These sessions do not need to be booked! Just come along on the day.

If you're in Ngātea, make sure to pop into the library and collect a space-themed activity booklet!

See the timetables below for more information!

Māori Language Week

Māori Language Week kicks off on September 14th! Our libraries will be doing lots to celebrate! Come and check out our Māori language collection; we will have books for children right through to adults on display for the month of September. We will also be holding book giveaways! All you have to do is show us your Te Reo skills by translating some simple library words or phrases. Make sure you pick up an entry form from either Paeroa or Waihī Library.

If you have tamariki, why not join us for our Bilingual Story Time? Join us at Paeroa Library on Tuesday 17th September and at Waihī Library on Wednesday 18th September. Story Time sessions start at 10.30am.

Mental Health Awareness Week

Mental Health Awareness Week is on from September 23 - 29. 

‘Community is ... what we create together’ is the theme for 2024. We have some fantastic wellbeing resources available on our physical and digital shelves including the above books! 

The Mental Health Awareness website also has some great resources to check out including: podcasts, daily wellbeing tips, ways to get involved and more! Check it out here - https://mhaw.nz/

Book Review

Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

Starling House has all the makings of a perfect gothic mystery/romance. Think modern day Wuthering Heights but throw in some fairytale fantasy! I was swept up in the story and came to love the characters. This book is the perfect spooky season read featuring a cursed town built on profit and sin, a haunted house and a vivid and eerie setting. Not only is ‘Starling House’ a Reese’s Book Club pick; it has also been nominated for three prestigious fantasy awards - the Hugo, Nebula and Locus awards. Review by Natasha

If you enjoyed Starling House, then why not try these:

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi

Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young

Senior Film Sessions

Our Senior Film Sessions continue to be a huge hit at our libraries! Our September film is ‘Juniper’. Feel free to come along to these showings. Our next film session is Friday 27 September.

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

Contact Us

Phone - 07 862 8609 

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