Our History

Searching for inspiration for today's post, I thought back to what I did on Sunday. Which was sit under some trees in the Auckland Domain with a bunch of librarians from around the region (no prizes for the best plural for a group of librarians, but we would be interested in what you came up with). There was good food, good coffee (the beverage of choice for librarians) and good music from the Jazz band warming up in the Band Rotunda (which meant Sean's banjo was unfortunately superfluos to requirements).

This was followed by a visit to the wonderful Auckland War Memorial Museum (which included a special Waitangi Day presentation by the Museum cultural group which had us in awe at their skill and laughing at their antics). It's been more years than I care to think about since I was at the Museum so I was really looking forward to this part of the day. Starting at the top and working down was a bit sobering, as it covers New Zealand (and the world) at war. Looking at our history in terms of warfare, I made the comment to a colleague that it seems we are defined by war. She pointed out that we weren't that different from most other countries in this.

I avoided the Avondale spiders in the Weird and Wonderful exhibit, jumped when the floor did in the Volcano house (even though I knew it was coming) and marvelled at the carving and weaving in the Maori Exhibition Hall. The special exhibition on Rudall Hayward (called the father of New Zealand film) was fascinating with clips from his movies. And I really only got around half the museum at best.

As usual, lots of what I observed will be followed up by some reading in the library over the next few weeks. That's the relationship between all the facilities around Auckland and the libraries. You can always come back to us at your leisure and find out more information. We even have books on the Museum itself. It was a great way to spend a sunny summer afternoon (and not just because the Museum was airconditioned).

And just like the Libraries, for Auckland residents and ratepayers, the Museum is free to visit. So put us both on your To Do list for 2011.

(image from the Auckland Museum website)

Ni Hau

Auckland Libraries is kicking off the Year of the Rabbit with 80+ events across Auckland and we are joining in with displays so that you can check what animal is you are in the Chinese Calendar. We are also holding Chinese Storytimes for the preschoolers and I have just finished telling the Warkworth children and parents about the legend behind the Chinese Zodiac as well as telling them a little bit about the traditions celebrated on this occasion.

Other storytimes in the Rodney area include:

10:30am - 11am, Tuesday 8 February - Mahurangi East Library

10:30am - 11am, Wednesday 9 February - Wellsford Library

10:30am - 11am, Wednesday 9 February - Whangaparaoa Library

11am - 11:30am, Thursday 10 February - Orewa Library

Chinese New Year continues for two weeks and you can join us in libraries across Auckland for demonstrations and workshops, Chinese Digital Community web tutorials, storytimes and rhyme time, plus music and dance performances. You can even go on the Chinese Digital Community for your chance to win dinner at a top Chinese restaurant!

Auckland Libraries’ sister website, the Chinese Digital Community http://chinesecommunity.org.nz/, is a repository of heritage and cultural information about New Zealand’s Chinese community.
Find out all about:
Great Chinese books and films at Auckland Libraries – includes contemporary Chinese fiction, awesome cookbooks, movie and kung fu hits, famous Chinese personalities, and the latest Chinese book titles
Chinese history or family history resources at Auckland Libraries
Astrological predictions for the Year of the Rabbit – find out how this year will pan out for you
The Favourite Family Recipe competition – win one of three $100 vouchers to use at Grand Harbour Chinese Restaurant, one of Auckland's finest.

Top 5 for Friday - Waitangi Day

"He iwi tahi tatou" - "We are now one people".

These are the words that Hobson purportedly spoke to each Chief on the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. I wonder what these words meant to him back then, and to those around him. Now, in the 21st Century we are still struggling to agree on a meaning and how far we have come (and in some observer's opinions receeded again) in achieving the goal. Personally, I wish that we could truly celebrate Waitangi Day as a national day and celebrate our uniqueness and unity (although I struggle, as do many, with finding a fixed picture of exactly what our 'oneness' should look like).

In terms of what the Library has to offer for Waitangi Day, today's Top 5 for Friday starts with the children and highlights the Treaty in many different formats.

1. The Treaty House by LeAnne Orams (illustrated by Roger Twiname). Journey with Olley as he learns not only is the Treaty house special, but so are the events that have happened in and around it, events that have shaped New Zealand to become the nation Olley is part of today. Suggested level: junior, primary. This picture book is a little wordy for a storytime session with a big group, but is a great title to sit down with your children and introduce them to our history.
2. Mission girl : the writings of Atapo, Paihia, c.1840 by Fleur Beale. Originally published as: A new song in the land. 2004. (My story series). Atapo, a young Māori girl, tells her story, from her capture and slavery as a young child through to her escape to the mission house in the Bay of Islands as a 14-year-old. Here she learns the new ways and language that means she is present at the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Although born into an important family her capture has meant she has lost her standing in her tribe, but she hopes the new skills she has acquired will mean she can return home with her head held high. Suggested level: intermediate, junior secondary. I love the My story series as they delve into our history in diary form but from the point of view of the children who witnessed the events.
3. Canvassing the Treaty [DVD videorecording] : six New Zealand artists explore our history and create shared visions for our future / directed by Jane Reeves ; produced by Kay Ellmers. The documentary is about a group of artists (Maori and non-Maori) exploring the Treaty. Three pairs of artists of various cultural backgrounds and artistic styles are challenged to create collaborative artworks in response to the Treaty of Waitangi. Guiding them are Ngāpuhi kaumatua Kingi Taurua and treaty educators, Moana Jackson and Ingrid Huygens ... With stunning locations, eclectic artistic visions and provocative discussion, Canvassing the Treaty offers a fresh look at the legacy of the Treaty of Waitangi, through artists' eyes. I haven't seen this but when I was looking for an artists perspective of the Treaty it appealed, not only from an artistic point of view but also because of the collaborative nature and future visions. It will be going onto my viewing list.
4. An illustrated history of the Treaty of Waitangi / Claudia Orange. This account begins before the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 and tells the story to the present day. This edition covers the challenges and settlements of the last decade of the 20th century, and includes photographs, paintings and drawings - including copies of the treaties themselves. This is just one of the many non-fiction books on our shelves dealing with the Treaty of Waitangi. I have to confess to a slight bias in including it on today's Top 5 as apparently the author is a cousin of mine (several times removed). I was unaware of this fact during my study at Auckland University. But my mother has the magic power to produce a relative for me wherever in the country I may be so VOILA! Which just goes to show what a small country this actually is.
5. Digital Resources Combined Database Search. Our digital library of electronic databases has a wealth of information at your fingertips if you can't physically make it into the library. The most up to date news articles and editorials from around the country as well as historic pieces such as the 1934 celebrations. You need to play with this to find exactly what you are looking for but there are some very interesting looking titles, especially looking at New Zealand from an international perspective if you do a Combined search using the History databases.

So that's my top 5 for Friday. Have an awesome Waitangi Weekend everyone. I am hoping to get together with some librarian friends and we are going to hit the Auckland Museum, something I have been keen to do for a long time. I'm sure it will give me inspiration for more blogs next week. Ka kite

God Save the King

Once again a trip to the movies has both utterly enthralled me, and proved how lacking my knowledge is. First, I was absolutely blown away by The King's Speech over the long weekend (despite reservations that all the hype and build up may have left me disappointed). I'm not sure if you were supposed to, but I shed a tear watching Colin Firth as King George VI, struggle to complete a full sentence in the face of bullying, ridicule and some rather silly supposed remedies. The script was tight with some fantastic one-liners delivered with aplomb and superb timing by the cast including Helen Bonham-Carter and Geoffrey Rush. Enough superlatives - but if you miss it at the movies, make sure you catch it when it is released on DVD. Or you can request the book of the movie The King's Speech: how one man saved the British Monarchy / Mark Logue and Peter Conradi which is based on the recently discovered diaries and notes of Lione Logue (but you may have to wait as there is a bit of a list at the moment).

However, secondly, it revealed that although I already knew some of the story (George V dies, Edward abdicates for Mrs Simpson, the new Queen Elizabeth never forgives her and Bertie has a stammer which he overcomes), there were facts in the story I had no idea of. For instance (and most glaringly) I had never given much thought to the rest of the family and was surprised to learn through the film that there was at least one younger brother (John who suffered from epilepsy and died at a young age). On further investigation I found that he in fact came from a family of six children. After Edward and himself, came Mary, Henry, George and John. I also learnt that he was naturally left handed and had to suffer nasty nannies and metal splints to cure knock knees.

To find out more about King George VI check out this keyword search link to our classic catalogue. Our Digital Library history resources would make another good starting point.

Long live the pyramids

Some of the saddest news over the weekend came from Egypt. The unrest and deaths surrounding the call for the President Hosni Mubarak to step down is bad enough but it was heart rending to hear that some priceless and irreplacable relics from Egypt's (and the worlds) past were being looted and destroyed under cover of the chaos. As both a librarian and a lover of the history, the disrespect of such actions is appalling to me. Losing items from our history, means that we lose some of the ties to the lessons that history can teach us. And to lose them in such a fashion, really just proves the point.

However, it is also heartening to hear that ordinary citizens are rallying to protect the treasures. This National Geographic news article from yesterday provides some up to date information, especially in relation to preservation of antiquities.

Egypt is a fascinating country. It has never been my first choice of a place to visit, but I have a friend who loves the place and it's history. A couple of years ago she took the opportunity and visited the country, returning with rave reviews. Along with the pictures of her on camels in the desert and horses at the pyramids were recollections of experiences with the markets, the historic sites, the food, the Nile and the people. Visiting Egypt at the moment is pretty much out of the question, but you can still indulge your passion (or interest) for things Egyptian through the Library.

A Keyword search in the catalogue produces results at both child and adult levels (71 pages of results). However you can narrow this down to:

• Digital Resources - DVD's and electronic resources available through our catalogue.
• Children's resources
• Audio-Visual
• Music

A Subject Search in the catalogue allows you to narrow your search down as well. Egyptian History is a good start for both ancient and modern history. And of course most news websites are carrying news of the on-going troubles.