Success stories

We'd like to share some of the good news about public libraries in New Zealand today.

Helping Out Fiji's Libraries

In November of 2006, Philip Calvert, Senior Lecturer at Victoria University and Jill Best, APLM Member and Manager: Libraries, Tauranga City Council, visited Fiji to make recommendations on the future of Fiji’s public libraries.

Congratulations APNK!

Many congratulations to the team at The Aotearoa People’s Network Kaharoa!

The APNK has won the Australia and New Zealand Internet Best Practice Award 2010 in the 'Best Access Initiative' category. This is awarded to "initiatives that aim to combat the digital divide, facilitating access for groups such as the elderly, disabled or socially disadvantaged".

Public Libraries Make Positive Impact on Lives of NZ Immigrants

Originally from the Netherlands, I arrived in Aotearoa almost 25 years ago, eager to start a new life with my Kiwi husband. I thought that, because I spoke some English, it would be easy but did not expect to miss reading newspapers, magazines and books in my own language. My local library did not have anything in their collection and I would go to the Dutch embassy to read an out of date newspaper.

Auckland City Libraries Recognised for Outstanding Homework Programmes

Auckland City Libraries' Akozone Library Learning Clubs have been recognised in an article published in the 2009 edition of the American publication Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science.

Tech Leader - 2010 Movers & Shakers

Joann Ransom, Horowhenua's Head of Libraries, is the first New Zealander to be named as a Tech Leader under the "Movers and Shakers Awards 2010" by The Library Journal USA.

The people in New Zealand's Horowhenua community—a district of 30,000, 90 minutes north of Wellington—had a problem. Its many historical societies and museums were struggling. Content wasn't getting online, valuable historical and cultural information was staying locked up in people's heads, and volunteers, ready to offer a host of skills and services, were going untapped.

Libraries Biggest Borrowers

A family of bookworms have borrowed a staggering 2044 library books in the past year.

Mum Sue Braggins, 49, said her family of 12 now consider Wainuiomata Library "a second home".

Keeping it Cool at Puke Ariki

Busting holiday boredom is what the staff at Puke Ariki’s Discover It! do best with a Summer Holiday Programme of activities to suit everyone.

The latest activity session, called ‘Meltdown’, saw children creating their own ice-cream collages after a storytime about the summer sweet treat.

Puke Ariki’s holiday programme runs for three weeks, offering a variety of activities and entertainment for children aged between 5 and 12 years. Sessions are always well attended and the children – and their care-givers – enjoy themselves.

Dunedin Library Interior wins Architectural Award

Dunedin Public Library’s Teenspace has won an Institute of Architects' Interior Architecture award.

Teenspace, which opened in May 2008, features black and white checkered flooring, multi-coloured beanbags and wall decorations that include old road signs and comic- book characters.

Public Libraries of New Zealand