Library Notes 26 June 2020

Published on June 26, 2020

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Top 10 Fiction

 

Into the raging sea: thirty-three mariners, one megastorm and the sinking of the El Faro by Rachel Slade

Tasting the past: recipes from the Middle Ages to the Civil War by Jacqui Wood

The family travel handbook

Secrets in Montana: A True Story by Vickie and Linda Dyar

Miniscapes by Clea Cregan

Dog dilemmas: the dog's-eye view on tackling pet problems by Sophie Collins

Coke by Jeremy Scott

Victory at Gate Pā? by Buddy Mikaere

Amazing boat journeys

Harry Potter knitting magic : the official Harry Potter knitting pattern book by Tanis Gray

 

Tsundoku

Pam Coleman, Community Engagement Librarian

 

My parents are in the midst of a life-changing move back to our homeland Scotland. No mean feat during a global pandemic – but let’s not go there!

As their possessions were being packed up to go into long-term storage until it’s safe to travel, I was reminded of our own preparation when moving to New Zealand. We had a finite amount of space and so had to prioritise what had to come with us, but you may be surprised by what was sacrificed.

 

My husband jokes that he never got rid of books until he married a librarian who wanted to move to the other side of the world. I confess that before we moved, we donated more than five hundred (mostly his and mostly unread) books to the Oxfam Bookshop. It was either the books or the dog!

 

I often remind him that a book collection is like your garden and you should keep what is pretty, interesting, and useful. I won’t share his colourful reply. He did get to keep an extensive comic collection and a large number of tatty, ancient childhood books, so don’t sympathise too much.

 

Often other librarians ask about my own book collection and I answer with a blush, that it’s one little shelf of around ten precious books. I have a low tolerance for clutter so the books I let into my personal collection have to justify their place. In my eyes, a book really has to earn its spot on my shelf. My default setting is set to “borrow” and books come and go. I borrow, read and return, either from the library or the op shop. Occasionally, I buy something special from the bookshop that might make it into my permanent collection or I’ll share it with a likeminded bibliophile. I also like to leave books in random places. I have the romantic notion that a book will find someone deserving, who will love its story as much as I do.

 

I applaud the enthusiasm and joy of those who do have extensive book collections. In fact, I have felt a tinge of the green eyed monster when browsing the beautiful and bountiful bookshelves of some of my esteemed colleagues. Book lovers don’t collect books as assets. Their value goes way beyond dollars. Books are also investments in other ways that matter. They are investments in authors, which is why it’s important to pay for books written by women, authors of colour, and authors from marginalised communities.

 

The Japanese have a word for the stack(s) of books you've purchased but haven't read - Tsundoku.  (Library users might also relate to this concept.) It’s a positive practice with the idea that having a voluminous collection of unread books shows your continued desire to read and learn more.

 

My homework this week?  Gift my better half a book.

What’s on?

Exhibitions

Matariki – Deep Space: A View of the Stars and Beyond, by Dr Stephen Chadwick, Friday 5 June to Sunday 23 August, Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom

 

Heritage room:

The Heritage rooms at Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō are manned by volunteers 10am-12.30 pm Monday to Saturday and Wednesday and Thursday afternoons 1.00pm – 3.00pm.

Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom Heritage Room has the Research librarian available all day every Friday.

 

Friday 26 June

Friday Concert: Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō 12pm

 

Sunday 28 June

Family Time in the Youth Space: Giant board games, craft activities and family fun in the Youth Space every Sunday from 1pm to 4pm. Come on in with the whānau!

 

Tuesday 30 June:

JP Service: Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō 11.30am-1.30pm

 

Wednesday 1 July:

Social crochet and coffee club: Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō 10.30am

Quiz Night: Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō 7pm $5

 

Thursday 2 July:

Made to Sew: Learn some new skills and develop the confidence to use our sewing machines for your own, un-tutored projects. Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō Youth Space 10am – 12pm

Tea & Tales Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō 10.30am

Lego Fun Hour Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō 3.30pm – 4.30pm

 

 

Friday 3 July:

Friday Concert: Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō 12pm

 

Monday 6 July to Friday 10 July

Annual Winter Used Book Sale: Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 9.00am to 5:30pm

Free entry, books $1 or less

 

 

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