Monday 27th August, 2007

Celebrating NZ Book Month

The message is clear this week – get thee to a library soon! September is NZ Book Month, and it's chock-full of library events. From choosing books for under 5s, to writing your autobiography and school holiday programmes, there is plenty to do at your libraries and learning centres.

The NZ book month web site has a list of newly-released books, as well as hosting a series of blogs by authors such as Fiona Farrell, poet Andrew Johnston and comedienne Penny Ashton. A recent addition to the blogosphere is Dave McCartney who 1980s music fans will remember from Dave McCartney and the Pink Flamingos. On September 2, winners of the 2007 Six Pack competition will be announced, so keep an eye out for that on our blog.

Though it is out of print, the Aotearoa New Zealand literary map is available online from the New Zealand Book Council web site. The Canterbury and Kaikoura page lists many well known and contemporary local authors and their works.

Rona’s racing to get youngsters reading

Read to succeed – that’s the message pre-school outreach co-ordinator Rona Fatuleai is sharing for Christchurch City Libraries. She works with parents, caregivers and babies to help with book selection to introduce the joys of fun reading. It’s the beginning of your child’s education, and it starts at home she says. Read about Rona’s tips for parents, or find out about one of the 10 seminars she will present during NZ Book Month.

Salute to Janet Frame

Janet Frame would have celebrated her 83rd birthday on August 28. Frame stands out as a singular voice in New Zealand writing, with intensely personal work mixed with imaginative, magical inventiveness. Together with Katherine Mansfield, Frame contributed greatly to New Zealand literature and remains New Zealand’s most-honoured writer. Read more about her works, or visit the Janet Frame Literary Trust web site.

Workshop for young writers

“Sharpening their heads,” is how director of the School for Young Writers Glyn Strange describes the benefits of a workshop to be held in the South library on September 25 as part of NZ Book Month. The workshop will be fast and furious fun, he says.

We recommend: New Zealand book resources

Our online resources:

Modern New Zealand writers
Magaret Mahy information on one of New Zealand’s most famous writers
New Zealand literature and literary prizes
Janet Frame – a backgrounder
Readers and writers listings at localeye
CINCH, our community directory, has listings for writing courses, and writing organisations

Our Internet Gateway recommends:

New Zealand Books, literature and reading
The NZ Arts Foundation listing of Icon Artists and Laureates
The New Zealand Writer Files, the most substantial section of the New Zealand Book Council website contains 150 author entries reprinted from the Oxford Companion to New Zealand Literature. Important writers featured include James K Baxter, Frank Sargeson, Maurice Gee, Keri Hulme, Witi Ihimaera, Alistair Te Ariki Campbell and poet Hone Tuwhare.

Browse the resources in our libraries:

Books by Elizabeth Knox, Keri Hulme, Witi Ihimaera, Alistair Te Ariki Campbell and poet Hone Tuwhare.
New Zealand literature - history and criticism
Christchurch and Canterbury Authors including Stevan Eldred-Grigg, Kate de Goldi, Penelope Todd, Sarah Quigley, Gavin Bishop
Works by Janet Frame and works about her life and writing

Other online resources

Adult Learners’ Week (the first week of September) celebrates the efforts, achievements and contributions of adult learners, educators and training providers. Library events include Safe Computer Games for Adults, Explore the Internet and an Introduction to Genealogy.

Next week - technology

Its everywhere! Next time we look at some of the technology available to customers and some helpful ways to help you get more from your library.