Library Notes 17 April 2019
Published on April 17, 2019
Top 10 books
New Adult Non Fiction
Tube Ritual by Brian G. Johnson
Take Off Your Shoes by Ben Feder
Hitler’s ‘Wonder’ U-Boats by Jak P. Mallmann Showell
Breakfast with Einstein by Chad Orzel
The Two Duchesses by Vere Foster
Terracotta Warriors by Rebecca Rice
Poppies by Paul Cummins
Big Embroidery by Nancy Nicholson
The Encyclopaedia of Woodworking Techniques by Jeremy Broun
Beginners Guide to Linocut by Susan Yeates
Pam Coleman Community Engagement Librarian
For thousands of years, art, like books, has played an integral part in the everyday lives of human beings. From early childhood onwards, creating artwork is encouraged as a way to help us understand, visualise and make meaning of the world around us, our lives and our imaginations.
Looking at art performs this same role helping us gain new perspectives, express ourselves and achieve calm.
We are very fortunate in Horowhenua to be able to offer community centres, like Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom, which combine a library, museum and exhibition space dedicated to the stories of people and place. Libraries, art galleries and museums collect, manage and share. Although the type of materials may differ, libraries, art galleries and museums share an overlapping set of goals. Working in collaboration creates great benefits for our community.
A real life example of this benefit is a story told by a local Rest Home activity coordinator, who was highlighting how experiencing art improves our brain function and thinking patterns, which is so important for our elders. During a visit to the Rembrandt Remastered exhibition at Te Awahou she talked about how one of the residents, stood enthralled by the painting Danae. He was overcome with awe and emotion saying that he had never seen such beauty. Almost all of us have experienced this surprisingly strong rush of good feelings that looking at certain pieces of art can trigger. Professor Semir Zeki, from University College London, ran a series of tests where MRI scans were taken as people looked at 30 works of art. The 2014 study found that "when you look at art there is strong activity in that part of the brain related to pleasure. The blood flow to the brain increased for a beautiful painting just as it increases when you look at somebody you love. It tells us art induces a feel good sensation direct to the brain."
It makes sense to improve your health and well-being and spend a day visiting Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom. Make time to see the wonderful collection of works in Rembrandt Remastered. After all it is the final few weeks to be able to gaze lovingly at the life-sized image of Danae, experience Rembrandts ability to depict realistic human emotions, and admire how he uses light and shadow in his work.
In the busy, chaotic time of the school holiday take a chance to switch off, give your brain and body a moment to pause, reflect and refresh and look at some art.
What’s on
Exhibitions
Rembrandt Remastered: Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom February 9 to April 28
Macondo: Andy Granville, Wednesday, April 3 to 30
Heritage room:
The Heritage rooms at Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō are manned by volunteers 10am-12.30 Monday to Saturday.
Wednesday April 17:
Social crochet and coffee club: Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō 10.30am
Quiz Night 7pm Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō $5
Thursday April 18:
Raukawa Whanau Ora playgroup: Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō 9.30am-12.00pm
Lego Club Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom 3.30pm – 5.00pm
Friday April 19:
Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō , Shannon Community Library & Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom CLOSED
Saturday April 20:
Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō & Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom 10am-4pm
Shannon Community Library 10am-12pm
Sunday April 21:
Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō & Shannon Community Library CLOSED
Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom 10am-4pm
Monday April 22:
Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō & Shannon Community Library CLOSED
Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom OPEN 10am-4pm
Tuesday April 23:
Investigate with Geronimo Stilton Children’s Holiday programme
Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō 10am-12pm
Shannon Community Library 2.30pm-3.30pm
Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom 10am-11am
Raukawa Whanau Ora playgroup: Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō 9.30am-12.00pm
JP Service: Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō 11.30am-1.30pm
Wednesday April 24:
Investigate with Geronimo Stilton Children’s Holiday programme
Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō 10am-12pm
Shannon Community Library 2.30pm-3.30pm
Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom 10am-11am
Social crochet and coffee club: Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō 10.30am
Quiz Night 7pm Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō $5
Spark Jump: Free workshop for families with children up to age 18 who do not have an internet connection in their homes - please register at the library. Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō 10am to 12pm
Thursday April 25 – ANZAC Day:
Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō & Shannon Community Library CLOSED
Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom 1pm-4pm