Your monthly newsletter from the libraries.
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Kia ora!

Welcome to our latest instalment of the Library newsletter.

Wānaka Library Update

Wānaka Library is installing some new shelving during the week of 19-26 November.

The Library will remain open, however there will be some construction noise and also limited or no access to some collections at this time.

The Wi-Fi will be on, however the Wi-Fi suite and powerpoints will be unavailable.

Community Kai Story

After many months of dedicated collaborative work, we’re delighted to share ‘Our Community Kai Story - Tales of food, people and connection across Queenstown Lakes’.

We’d like to invite the community to attend a book launch event and celebrate the collaborative efforts of everyone involved, and as a way of recognising all the superstar individuals and organisations involved who care deeply for our community — details can be found below in 'What's On at the Library'.

Library Fines Amnesty

Have you got overdue fines? Visit your local library from 13 November until 31 December and donate a non-perishable food item, toiletries or gift for a child or adult. These items will be donated to Happiness House (Whakatipu) and Community Networks Food Bank (Upper Clutha) to give others in need some items to help make Christmas a wee bit easier for those who may be struggling. Head to our website for all the details.

Queenstown Library Update

The toilets in Queenstown Library will be intermittently out of order between 20 October to 26 November. Please be aware that you may need to use alternative facilities (there are public toilets on Athol Street) when visiting the library during this time. 

New Arrowtown Study Desk

Kā mihi nui to library members Jon Amos and Lisa Bundy for their generous donation of an extendable study table to the Arrowtown Library. Its warm heritage look suits the historical character of Arrowtown, and we look forward to offering more options for our community to mahi and kōrero.

Help Us Design our New Website!

Our library website is getting an upgrade and we need your help to make sure it's designed with our patrons (you) in mind. 

We have two activities we'd love for you to complete; one is a simple survey that should take about five minutes and another is an interesting activity where you help us organise the various elements of our website which takes about 10-15 minutes. You're welcome to complete one or both of these activities. They are completely anonymous and no identifying information is collected. 

Tips & Tricks

Not sure whether the eBook or eAudiobook you're after is in BorrowBox or Libby? Download the Library App and it'll take you to the right place!

It's so simple; once you have the library app, you just need to search for the book; click on the title; and then click on the link that takes you to BorrowBox or Libby (OverDrive).

New Fiction

New Non-fiction

Staff picks

Welcome to this month's Staff Picks, where our librarians share some of the great books they've read recently. Discover hidden gems, popular titles, and diverse recommendations that will captivate your imagination and enrich your reading experience. Click here for the entire list.

Meet Librarian Aoife

Meet Librarian Aoife.

 

Aoife is the new Whakatipu branch manager and she looks after the Arrowtown, Glenorchy, and Queenstown branches.

How long have you been with the library?
I’m the new kid on the block, recently joining the libraries team in September 2023.

What were you doing prior to joining our library team?
I’ve been living in Queenstown since 2013 and love this beautiful and unique community. I was working in the medical recruitment sector, supporting Australian and New Zealand hospitals in their staffing needs. We worked very closely with our doctors to support them in finding a better work-life balance. I love engaging with people and decided to make the change to a more community-focused environment, the libraries offered a great opportunity to do that.

What are libraries to you?
A library for me, is a place of possibilities. A place of knowledge, imagination, and community.

Bookshelves filled end to end offering different stories, adventures, and information spanning countless topics all patiently waiting for someone to come in and read.

It provides a community a space where people can come to seek connection and engagement, or for peace and quiet.

It’s a unique place that is accessible to everyone, the only entrance requirement is interest, and whose purpose isn’t to take anything from its visitors, only to give.

Favourite Library Quote
‘’Oh, I don’t think we’ll be able to help you find that…’’ Said no librarian ever.

 

What do you enjoy reading? 
I’ll read anything and everything! You name it… I’ll read it! I particularly enjoy fantasy, crime thrillers, and the classics.

Digital Spotlight

Are you curious about the past? Explore with our Research and History tools. 

  • Are you interested in knowing how much the old chest of drawers at your house is worth? Check out Carters Price Guide to Antiques
  • Want to win at the next quiz night? Research anything and everything with Britannica Library
  • Want to dive into ancient and modern history? Check out our range of ABC-CLIO databases. 
  • Curious about your family tree? Find out about your ancestors with Ancestry Library Edition (available in the libraries only).

All you need is a library membership. Head to our Research & History page to get started!

Children & Young Adult
Staff Picks

Each month our passionate children's librarians handpick the most delightful, heartwarming, and engaging books for young readers. Below is just a taster but head to our blog for the entire list. Happy reading, little bookworms!

What's on at the library

Special Events

Get ready to roll the dice on a literary adventure! Join our Bookopoly Summer Reading Challenge, pass GO, collect stickers and stories, and go in the draw to win prizes. 

The challenge starts 1 November and runs until 1 March. Click here for all the details.

Discover the art of incorporating body language into your writing with Stephanie Fieldsend, founder of Elemental Potential. Frankton Library is hosting sessions on Saturday 18 and 25 November, and Queenstown Library on Thursday 30 November.

Join ASB for a friendly online workshop on Thursday 2 November about ‘Getting Into your First Home’. We’ll step through the home buying process, giving tips and ideas that will help you into your first home. Click here to register.

Join us for our annual Harry Potter Quiz night on Thursday 30 November at Wānaka and Frankton Libraries. We are ready to test your wizarding world knowledge!

Join us this month at your local library for a special storytime and mini-graduation to celebrate families reading 1000 Books Before School.

We have events at Arrowtown, Frankton, Hāwea, Queenstown and Wānaka libraries.

After many months of dedicated collaborative work, we’re delighted to share ‘Our Community Kai Story - Tales of food, people and connection across Queenstown Lakes’. This beautiful book is filled with vibrant stories, recipes, and local knowledge.

We’d love to have you along to share kai and celebrate our stories at our launch event at Frankton Library on 9 November or Wānaka Library on 16 November.

A walking group with a difference! Join QLDC Libraries in collaboration with Sport & Recreation on Thursday 9 November for this on-the-go book club. It's a great way to connect with others whilst staying active. Click here for more details.

Adult Programmes

Frankton

Queenstown

Wānaka

  • Wānaka Library Book Club is on Friday 24 November.
  • Keep an eye on our website and social media for a few Christmas themed events at Wānaka Library.

Book & Writing Clubs

Children & Youth Programmes

Join us at Arrowtown Library on Wednesday 29 November, Queenstown Library on Monday 27 November or Frankton Library on Friday 24 November for Te Reo Māori Storytime.

Wriggle & Rhyme has moved back to the Queenstown Library. We hope to see you and your wee ones there on Tuesdays from 10.30am!

Our regular children's programmes are on during term time. Join us for Reading to Dogs, Wriggle & Rhyme, LEGO® Club, Storytime, STEAM Club and more! Check out the What's On page of the website or as your local librarians for details.

Digital Classes

Digital Help Drop-ins are always available by appointment in Queenstown.

 

Queenstown Library is hosting an Introduction to Chat GPT on Wednesday 15 November.

 

Frankton Library is hosting Better Digital Futures for Seniors workshops on the following dates:

  • 6 November - Intro to Email
  • 13 November - Reducing Dependence on Others
  • 20 November - Safety Online
  • 27 November - Get to Know Your Phone

To keep up to date with all of our events, check our What's On page, follow us on social media, download a copy of our calendars, and keep an eye out for event posters and flyers when you're next in the library.

Community Events

Sustainable Queenstown invites you to their second Repair Cafe in Arrowtown!

 75+ items were brought into last month's Repair Revolution event in Frankton and most of them were restored and revived! Missed out? Come along to St. John's Church Hall on Durham St in Arrowtown from 10am to 2pm with your broken household items, and walk away with DIY skills, knowledge and hopefully, repaired treasures! Click here for the event details.

 

Keen to volunteer? Email Scott Kennedy at rc@sustainablequeenstown.org.nz

Set in the stunning, unique Ben Lomond landscape, this volunteer event will run over an almost two week long period from 1 November to 9 November, with free gondola & heli transport and a time-slot of your choosing – don’t delay – get your team together now! 

WCG, are planning a large-scale wilding control operation in the Ben Lomond Basin on the periphery of the WCG Adopt a Plots, while we’re set up for contractors, we have this one-off opportunity to involve volunteers. 

Community Updates

These recent weather events have reiterated the importance of connecting in with our neighbours and knowing who lives in our communities so we can support each other when events like these happen in the future. It also emphasises the importance of having our local Community Response Groups (CRGs) set up and the role they play in responding to and working with the Emergency Operations team should an event unfold. 

To ensure your community is up to date with latest updates in an emergency situation, it is recommended that you follow: 

QLDC Info on Facebook and Otago Civil Defence and Emergency Management on Facebook

And it's also recommended that you sign up to: 

Whakataukī o te Marama /
Proverb of the Month

NZ Sign Language Dictionary

bush
forest, shrub


ngahere, wao
noun

That's a wrap on this library newsletter. Enjoy the month ahead and see you all soon!

Kā mihi,
- Your Libraries Team.

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