Library Notes 21 December 2016

Published on December 21, 2016

2016: the year that was

Joanne Dillon, Community Learning Lead

Having worked at Te Takere for 4 years, I can honestly say that 2016 was the hugest year for me in terms of change. Many of my colleagues would agree. In June and July we farewelled valued colleagues as we transitioned from being run under Te Horowhenua Trust to the Horowhenua District Council. This was a period of uncertainty as we moved away from a model we understood and were comfortable with to one that was new and unfamiliar to many of us. The team at Te Takere, Foxton and Shannon Libraries is a close team and we had good support from one another which made the transition easier. Our new colleagues welcomed us into the larger team with a moving powhiri and our integration into Horowhenua District Council has been seamless and positive.

The support from the community was also appreciated and shows how valued we are by the people who use our facilities. That gave us all a huge boost when we needed it as did continued attendance at our events and usage of our services.

We have achieved a lot this year, both before and after the change in administration. I asked my workmates what they were most proud of in 2016 and this is what they told me:

• Our big annual events like Matariki and Diwali
• Three significant world-class exhibitions: BNZ Hope and Wonder, Peace in 10,000 hands, and how could we forget, Olafur Eliasson: The cubic structural evolution project aka thousands of blocks of white LEGO
• Projects with and for children: our school holiday programmes including celebrations this year of 100 years since the birth of Roald Dahl and Library Olympics, working with the Te Hinaki Trust and local schools to develop the Kawa of Care programme and the incredible Kapa haka performance put on by Foxton Beach school at the Te Hinaki Expo hosted at Te Takere.
• The ongoing success of Quiz Night which continues to grow in size and popularity – we’ll be back on 1 February.
• Some very special local history and heritage projects like The Mystery History tour complete with vintage cars
• Also acknowledged was the way staff have come together as a team to deliver these programmes and events as well as the library services, learning programmes, function rooms, travel bookings, driver and vehicle licensing and everything else we do.

2017 is just around the corner and we have some great ideas that we’ll be working on once we’re back from our summer holidays. While much has changed in 2016, one thing that hasn’t is our determination to keep delivering the same level of service you have come to expect along with the innovation Libraries Horowhenua is known for around NZ and further afield. We’re excited about 2017 and look forward to seeing you during and after the Christmas and New Year break.

New books

New Adult Fiction

• The Lost Girl by Tania Carver
• Land of Careful Shadows by Suzanne Chazin
• The German Girl by Armando Lucas Correa
• Bryan & May: London’s Glory by Christopher Fowler
• Tangled Webs by Irene Hannon
• Night Watch by Iris & Roy Johansen
• Den of Wolves by Juliet Marillier
• Hidden Killers by Lynda La Plante
• A Promise Between Friends by Carol Rivers
• The Newsmakers by Lis Wiehl

Holiday hours

Safe and happy holidays to you all from the team at Te Takere and Libraries Horowhenua.