... what books to buy the children for Christmas? Then you should check out a new blog that some of our local Rodney authors are collaborting on.
www.kidsbooksnz.blogspot.com is a new site which every month reviews new books for the children and young adults market. The blog introduction says:
"Each month we will select the latest top quality children's books written by New Zealand authors and review them under these headings:
* Picture Books
* Chapter Books 6-8 year olds
* Chapter Books 8-12 year olds
* Young Adult Books 13 years+
* Non Fiction Books
You'll find out what makes them so good, whether they're age appropriate and how they fit into the school curriculum (if appropriate). I hope it inspires you to buy or borrow them!"
The team of reviewers includes Maria Gill and Lorraine Orman (who recently visited Warkworth Library), Vivienne Lingard and Christine Hurst. As well as book reviews there are also links through to some other New Zealand children's websites.
And I can tell you that Rodney Libraries already has most of the books they review on our shelves (or going through processing to get there) as we speak. It's a great blog with some really insightful reviews.
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
Tuesday, 2 December 2008
Extended loans for Christmas and New Year
If you are checking your books out this week and in the leadup to Christmas, you may notice that the normal four weeks issue has been extended out to 12th January.
Christmas and New Year are always so busy for everyone. The last thing you need to be thinking about is when your library books are due back. So we decided to do something about that to help you out and give our customers extra time so you don't have to worry about your library books while you are away enjoying the festive season.
This means that books (and all other items that normally have a four week issue period) taken out this week will be due back on 12th January.
What about the magazines and multi-media items you ask? We haven't forgotton them. Items that normally get issued for two weeks (magazines and music) that get checked out on or after Tuesday 9th December, will not be due back until Friday 9th January 2009. And items with a one week issue period (DVD's and computer games) that get checked out on or after Saturday 20th December, will only need to be back by 5th January 2009.
However - we aren't going on holiday over the Christmas and New Year period. The Libraries will be open. Stay tuned to our blog, website or posters in the library to check out our holiday hours. We are pretty much business as usual, except for the statutory holidays and the weekend between Christmas and New Year. Full details will be posted in December.
Christmas and New Year are always so busy for everyone. The last thing you need to be thinking about is when your library books are due back. So we decided to do something about that to help you out and give our customers extra time so you don't have to worry about your library books while you are away enjoying the festive season.
This means that books (and all other items that normally have a four week issue period) taken out this week will be due back on 12th January.
What about the magazines and multi-media items you ask? We haven't forgotton them. Items that normally get issued for two weeks (magazines and music) that get checked out on or after Tuesday 9th December, will not be due back until Friday 9th January 2009. And items with a one week issue period (DVD's and computer games) that get checked out on or after Saturday 20th December, will only need to be back by 5th January 2009.
However - we aren't going on holiday over the Christmas and New Year period. The Libraries will be open. Stay tuned to our blog, website or posters in the library to check out our holiday hours. We are pretty much business as usual, except for the statutory holidays and the weekend between Christmas and New Year. Full details will be posted in December.
Monday, 1 December 2008
"The magician of Hoad" by Margaret Mahy.
Margaret Mahy's latest book goes on sale today - just in time for Christmas!
The magician of Hoad by Margaret Mahy.
"A hero‚ an ageing magician‚ a farm boy‚ a noble daughter and a mad prince meet on the edge of a city of tents. So begins an intricate tale of a boy with a troublesome eye‚ who is capable of extraordinary things.
Forced from home‚ twelve−year−old Heriot′s unwilling steps lead to Diamond‚ first city of the Hoadara‚ who conquered his people generations before. By tradition‚ King and Hero share power in an uneasy alliance . . . and the resolution of their struggle will ultimately bring pain‚ terror‚ love and loss to the five who met that dusty day.
Forced to serve the King as his magician‚ and strangely bound to Dysart‚ the mad prince‚ Heriot is isolated within the walls of Diamond‚ until he finds Cayley‚ a wild‚ ambiguous rat−of−the−city. Two lonely souls forge an unlikely friendship in the shadows of the city both are forced to call home. But when children become adults‚ childish games become deadly serious and when incipient madness erupts in chillingly violence Heriot is forced to explore the very heart of his magic.
In this superbly cerebral fantasy for older readers‚ Margaret Mahy′s masterwork will surprise and thrill with its exploration of darkness‚ and delight with her undisputed mastery of the language of the heart and soul. " from the HarperCollins website.
The magician of Hoad by Margaret Mahy.
"A hero‚ an ageing magician‚ a farm boy‚ a noble daughter and a mad prince meet on the edge of a city of tents. So begins an intricate tale of a boy with a troublesome eye‚ who is capable of extraordinary things.
Forced from home‚ twelve−year−old Heriot′s unwilling steps lead to Diamond‚ first city of the Hoadara‚ who conquered his people generations before. By tradition‚ King and Hero share power in an uneasy alliance . . . and the resolution of their struggle will ultimately bring pain‚ terror‚ love and loss to the five who met that dusty day.
Forced to serve the King as his magician‚ and strangely bound to Dysart‚ the mad prince‚ Heriot is isolated within the walls of Diamond‚ until he finds Cayley‚ a wild‚ ambiguous rat−of−the−city. Two lonely souls forge an unlikely friendship in the shadows of the city both are forced to call home. But when children become adults‚ childish games become deadly serious and when incipient madness erupts in chillingly violence Heriot is forced to explore the very heart of his magic.
In this superbly cerebral fantasy for older readers‚ Margaret Mahy′s masterwork will surprise and thrill with its exploration of darkness‚ and delight with her undisputed mastery of the language of the heart and soul. " from the HarperCollins website.
Free Internet Access coming in 2009
Rodney libraries will be able to offer free broadband access at libraries from 2009 as part of an exciting national initiative to improve New Zealanders’ access to the internet and the digital world.
The Aotearoa People’s Network (APN) is a collaborative programme between public libraries and the National Library of New Zealand to provide free internet access through public libraries. Rodney District Council’s application to APN to have computers installed in its libraries has recently been approved.
It is expected that computers will be installed to provide free internet and computer access from early 2009 onwards. APN will also provide printers and meet the cost of providing high speed internet connections for at least the first two years of the programme. Free training for library staff on how to use the computers, printers and assist computers users is also part of the initiative. In addition to the free computers, Rodney libraries will continue to provide internet and computer access from computers operating in the libraries which will be available for paid usage.
The 2006 census showed that 34% of Rodney residents do not have access to the internet.
“The announcement that our application to APN has been successful is fantastic news for Rodney residents,” says Vicki Clarke, Rodney Libraries Acting Manager. “While many people in our community have access to the internet, we can sometimes forget that there are a large number of residents living in Rodney who don’t have access yet.”
“Free broadband access will particularly benefit those on limited incomes who don’t have the internet at home, people who may not feel comfortable using computers without support and residents in rural areas where high speed broadband is not accessible,” Ms Clarke adds.
RDC is one of 30 local authorities, to date, who have successfully applied to have computers gifted as part of the APN initiative.
The Aotearoa People’s Network (APN) is a collaborative programme between public libraries and the National Library of New Zealand to provide free internet access through public libraries. Rodney District Council’s application to APN to have computers installed in its libraries has recently been approved.
It is expected that computers will be installed to provide free internet and computer access from early 2009 onwards. APN will also provide printers and meet the cost of providing high speed internet connections for at least the first two years of the programme. Free training for library staff on how to use the computers, printers and assist computers users is also part of the initiative. In addition to the free computers, Rodney libraries will continue to provide internet and computer access from computers operating in the libraries which will be available for paid usage.
The 2006 census showed that 34% of Rodney residents do not have access to the internet.
“The announcement that our application to APN has been successful is fantastic news for Rodney residents,” says Vicki Clarke, Rodney Libraries Acting Manager. “While many people in our community have access to the internet, we can sometimes forget that there are a large number of residents living in Rodney who don’t have access yet.”
“Free broadband access will particularly benefit those on limited incomes who don’t have the internet at home, people who may not feel comfortable using computers without support and residents in rural areas where high speed broadband is not accessible,” Ms Clarke adds.
RDC is one of 30 local authorities, to date, who have successfully applied to have computers gifted as part of the APN initiative.
Christmas storytimes
The Libraries will be running special Christmas storytimes with stories, songs and fun. Come and jingle your bells with us and get in that Christmas spirit! There may even be a visit from the big guy...Helensville - Wednesday 17, December 2008, 4pm
Orewa - Friday 19 December 4:30pm
Kumeu - Monday 22 December 10:30am
Warkworth - Monday 22nd December 10.30am
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