The Great New Zealand Book

There are as many different voices of New Zealand to be found in the books on the shelves of the Rodney Library as there are different people who walk through our doors. So when our conversation the other night turned to adult reading, you can imagine that there were many different names that sprung to mind.

My school and university days were filled with the stories and poems of Katherine Mansfield, Maurice Gee, Stead, Shadbolt, Baxter and Frame. I could giggle and relate to the tales of Murray Ball and Loosehead Len being of good farming stock and with weekends spent at the local rugby club. The romance authors Susan Napier, Essie Summers and especially ex-local Robyn Donald could conjure images of our countryside while authors such as Keri Hulme, Alan Duff, Patricia Grace and Witi Ihimaera explored our psych and unique culture. These authors and more are all available at your local Rodney Library. And we haven't even started to mention popular historical (Deborah Challinor) or young adult (Margaret Mahy and Sheryl Jordan) authors yet. Or our award winners such as Lloyd Jones with Mr Pip or Elizabeth Knox who just received an honorable mention in the American Library Association The Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature.

For something a little light-hearted, I’ve just finished a New Zealand based chick-lit novel by a new author which was an easy summer read.


Bonkers – Michelle Holman
After a head-on collision between a glamorous sports car and serviceable but very plain little car, a kind-hearted angel does a swap in Heaven's waiting room. A short, fiesty rugby-loving schoolteacher gets a second chance and finds herself in hospital in the body of a tall, glamorous, philandering American wife. She has a wealthy, drop-dead gorgeous husband who looks as if he's just stepped out of a romance novel - but for some reason he can't stand the sight of her.


If reading Kiwi was a New Year's resolution, do a key-word search for "New Zealand Fiction" in our Library Catalogue you will be able to find enough to keep you going for the rest of the year.

The "HOW TO" series #2 - Reserving

So you’ve found the book you want to read in the Rodney catalogue (http://www.rodneylibraries.govt.nz/).
It’s on the shelf of your local library so you figure the next time you go in you will grab it. But when you get there, someone else has got there before you. Or maybe it is out and due back in a week. But when you come back a week later it is still not there because the other person renewed it. How do you make sure the book is there for YOU!

It’s simple. You just need to request it. And once you have found the book on the catalogue it is really easy to do. If you have the record of the book on screen in front of you (using the same example as last week here is the link through to Bare Bones by Kathy Reichs). At the top of the page are a number of options with blue buttons. All you need to do put your cursor on “Request” and left click.

The next screen that comes up will ask you for your Library Card number (the barcode) and your PIN number. You need to enter the whole barcode off your library card (don’t worry about the spaces). You then need to type your PIN number into the second box. If you have never made a request or used a PIN number before, leave this box blank and you will then be asked to choose a PIN (which has to be at least four digits or numbers long). If this still does not work, please contact your local library so that we can set your PIN for you.

Push Go and the Request Verification screen will appear. This will ask you to choose which library you would like the book to be sent to for you to pick up. From the drop down menu select the most convenient library. This screen also gives you the option of choosing to cancel the hold if it is not received by a certain date (most convenient if the book is for a school project or a holiday). Or you can simply leave this blank and left click on “Go”.

A screen will come up telling you that your request was successful and confirming which library the book will be sent to. You then just have to sit back and wait for the phone call, email or letter letting you know that the book has arrived (this depends on the method you have chosen. Please note that we cannot call mobile phones with notification).

If you have any problem, please don’t hesitate to phone your local library or ask next time you come in to see us. The librarians are always happy to explain the procedure to you or can place the holds for you.

The "Kiwi" Book

At the end of a glorious Anniversary Weekend (I even braved the sea twice), I was chatting with a friend who is about to fly off to Australia for the imminent arrival of her grandson. We were all offering advice as to what she needs to take over the ditch with her so that said grandson gets his share of kiwi culture amongst all the green and gold of Australia.


The Buzzy Bee and the Silver Fern were near the top of the list but it wasn't long before we got onto the subject of books that every Kiwi child should have. Hairy Maclary was a favourite of us all, as was Margaret Mahy (although we all had different books that we identified with). A traditional myths and legends book is a must and then there are the identities such as Nanny Mihi, Mrs Pareta, Granny McGarvey and Kapai. I particularly like A Book of Pacific Lullabies edited by Tessa Duder. There are just so many fantastic picture books and young peoples fiction being written by New Zealanders for New Zealanders that there really is something for everyone. I haven't even mentioned authors like the prolific Joy Cowley or David Hill yet.


Of course then we went on to adult reading ... but that's another story.

What's on this weekend?

It's Auckland Anniversary weekend. The Libraries will be open our usual Saturday hours. We will be closed on Sunday and Monday.

Did you know that the arrival of Hobson in the Bay of Islands is celebrated as the anniversary of the founding of the province of Auckland? Apparently the official day for Auckland Anniversary is 29 January but it's usually observed on the closest Monday. I guess we need the long weekend so we can get to all the events that are on...

In Rodney...

Mahurangi Regatta
Saturday 26 January 2008 BEACH EVENTS @ Sullivans Bay Entries at 9.00am

Full day of beach and coastal entertainment. Bring your family and a picnic. Prizegiving and a Dance@ Scotts Landing from 5.30PM with live music from Prohibition Big Band.

Whangateau Country Fair

Sunday 27 January 2008 Whangateau, 10.00am to 2.00pm

Foodstalls, bouncy castle, cake stall, book stall, Devonshire Teas. Fundraiser for Whangateau Hall

94th Waitemata A&P

Sunday 27 January Western Reserve, Orewa, 9.00am to 4.00pm

Equestrian and farm event show - fun for the whole family!

Elsewhere in Auckland...

Aquatica 08

Friday 25 January - Monday 28 January

A celebration of Auckland's sailing heritage including spectacular tall ships, the Naval frigate Te Kaha and classic and contemporary yachts and the Auckland Anniversary regatta. ( I like the sound of the Ports of Auckland dancing tugs!)

Have a great weekend everyone. Remember to "slip, slop, slap" because the weather is supposed to be gorgeous!

Picture from FreeDigitalPhotos.net

ARC artist in residence opportunity

The Auckland Regional Council's inaugural artist-in-residency project offers artists a place to stay and create on one of our Regional Parks.

The residency provides a park-like setting for creative work; with features of natural and cultural significance nearby. It is intended for established artists with a proven track record who are self-sufficient. Accommodation is provided free and a weekly grant given to help create a work or body of work.

Visual and performing artists are welcome to apply. Because it is a short term residency opportunity (max 4 weeks) it might suit in particular writers, poets, composers, choreographers, and visual artists ‘of all kinds’ e.g. photographers, printmakers, ephemeral and installation artists etc.


Applicants have a choice of 10 different sites in stunning settings but there are restrictions on timeframes. Most lodgings are bach-style in scenic settings - many by the sea.


Applications close Monday Feb 4th 2008.

For more information including application details and photos of most of the sites visit the ARC website for more information.