Library Notes 29 May 2019
Published on May 29, 2019
Top 10 books
New Non Fiction
Lonely Planet Western USA
Lonely Planet Mexico
The Kaikoura Job, Rebuilding KiwiRail’s Main North Line by Rob Merrified
Protest Knits, Got Needles? Get Knitting!
150 best Dips and Salsas by Jedith Finlayson & Jordan Wagman
The Gluten-Free Baking Book by Donna Washburn & Heather Butt
Family Business, an Italian-New Zealand Story by Vincent Moleta
Scandinavian Modern by Magnus Englund and Christina Schmidt of Skandium
Baby Knits from Around the World by Kari Cornell
Farrow&Ball Recipes for Decorating by Joa Studholme
Samoan Language Week
Pam Coleman Community Engagement Librarian
Talofa Lava!
Samoan Language week is being held from Sunday 26 May to Saturday 1 June this year. The theme for the year is:
“lalaga le si ‘oso’omaga mo se lumana’ I manuia.”
“Weave an environment for a better future.”
I came to live in this beautiful new country New Zealand, with new wonders, language and taonga to explore, ten years ago. I began teaching in a school in East Porirua and my family was welcomed into the community with open arms. The school I worked in was made up of children from mainly Samoa, with some from Tonga, Cook Islands, Tokelau, Niue, Iraq, as well as of course New Zealand. My youngest daughter came to the school with me so the school roll now included a Scot. The years we spent there were wonderful, not only did she receive a good solid middle school education; she was immersed in a community of rich culture, language and joyful spirit.
As well as teaching my class of 8 year olds, I looked after the school library with a dear friend, mentor, and amazing school librarian. We opened up the library to the families in the community. We made sure we had plenty of books, not only written in Maori and English, but books from Samoa, Tonga, The Cook Islands, Tokelau, and Niue for everyone to enjoy. One of my favourite moments, which I caught on camera, was of an elderly woman reading a Samoan language picture book. The joy on her face was beautiful. We later discovered that she had not read a book in her native language for many, many years. Books are powerful!
Samoan Language Week / Vaiaso o le gagana Sāmoa celebrates the identity, language, and culture of Samoans.
There are more than 800 Samoans living in the Horowhenua area. The books we provide enhance the wellbeing of our community and reinforce where people come from, what they value, and what they already know. We have a variety of resources in our library including some lovely picture books in Samoan.
Vaiaso o le gagana Samoa helps all New Zealanders journey towards shared cultural understandings. Learning a new language gives us insight into new ways of thinking, and to different beliefs and cultural practices. Everyone who learns gagana Samoa helps to preserve it as a living and rich language. While not everyone can commit to learning a whole new language, we can practise Samoan words and phrases, and explore the Samoan culture for Samoan Language Week. Come along to our Samoan Language celebration for littlies and pre- schoolers. The children from Fanua Pasifika will lead us in learning a few Tala (stories) and ma pese (songs). You are never too old to enjoy the Sāsā!
What’s On
Exhibitions
RSA100: A celebration of our local Levin RSA, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, Wednesday, May 3 to 29
Toi Whakarakai: Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom, May to July
Heritage room:
The Heritage rooms at Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō are manned by volunteers 10am-12.30 pm Monday to Saturday.
Wednesday May 29:
Social crochet and coffee club: Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō 10.30am
Quiz Night 7pm Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō $5
Samoan Week Celebration with Fanau Pasifika 10.30pm
Thursday May 30:
Raukawa Whanau Ora playgroup: Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 9.30am-12.00pm
Friday May 31:
Local Music Showcase, Friday Concert: Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō 12am-1pm
SeniorNet: Get help with your tablets, phones and laptops
-Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom 10am-12pm
-Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō 2pm -4pm
Monday June 3:
Tai Chi classes Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō Main Space 10am
Toddler Time:
-Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō – Children’s Library, every Monday, 2pm
-Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom – Children’s Library, every Monday 2.15pm
Tuesday June 4:
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 June 5:
Social crochet and coffee club: Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō 10.30am
Quiz Night 7pm Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō $5
Toddler Time: Shannon Community Library, every Wednesday, 1.30pm
Friends of the Library Morning Tea
Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō 10.30am: David Harris from the English Language Partners talks about the work he does with English as a second language speakers.