FROM THE Newsletter Editor

Hi Friends

I have returned from two months in Queensland to a winter in Levin. Although Brisbane was having the coldest wettest winter it has had since 1974 it was still a lot warmer than winter weather here.

While I was in Queensland I checked out a few libraries. The ones I visited all charged for internet and computer use, had no e-book service and much smaller free collections. They were quite spacious – there is a LOT of flat land in Queensland – but seemed to offer fewer services than our current library does. Per head of population New Zealand is better served by public libraries than Australia. 

I was delighted to see the way the creation of Te Takere has developed since I left at the end of May. The view from the car park is most inviting.

Dianne Edyvane

Te Takere Progress

You can check out more photographs of the inside of the project on the Te Takere blog

The project is still running on time and under budget.

      Grand Opening Day 29 September 2012

STAFF NEWS

The advent of Te Takere means that the staff members have new roles and responsibilities.

Jo Ransom is the new Te Horowhenua Trust Chief Executive with overall responsibility for running the centre.

Wendy Fraser is the new Library Services Manager bringing 14 years’ experience at Levin Library, including five years as the Children and Teen Librarian responsible for setting up the homework clubs, holiday programmes and school visits. Wendy’s new role will be to manage the children and senior services, local and family history groups housed within Te Takere, technology and library collections.

Ema Jacob takes up the Manager of Customer Experience role, and with her team of 13 will be responsible for providing a “warm and welcoming environment for people, so they will want to come back”.

“It will be our job to bring the vision of Te Takere alive and my job to make sure the whole place functions as one team.” As the previous Customer Services Manager at Levin Library, and Kaiwhakahare, responsible for managing the Maori collection and resources, Ema says she and the team will be taking on vastly different roles, which include training to manage the information centre and the AA services, and District Council help desk.

Barbara Lucas, a self-proclaimed “librarian, through and through”, is the new Executive Assistant to the Development Team, supporting the Development Manager to deliver educational, youth, community and business programmes. Her role will also include applying for grants to hold national or regional events at Te Takere, and promoting local events and activities at the centre.

Deborah McDonald is the new Children’s Librarian.

BRANCH NEWS

Levin:  You may have noticed staff members pushing two special machines round the library recently. The new RFID

 (Radio Frequency Identification) system is being installed.  RFID is a wireless non-contact system that uses radio-frequency electromagnetic fields to transfer data from a tag attached to an object, for the purposes of automatic identification and tracking. Books are being security tagged to prevent theft and to enable self-issuing in future. The study night for senior has remained well attended.

Foxton:  This library under Kiri’s guidance is continuing to serve the community well.

Shannon:  The Gill Knox art display is in place till the end of the month. Her style is particularly vibrant.

The homework centre in the branch is ongoing.  Doug is also running the Taitoko School homework centre on three afternoons a week.  

UPCOMING EVENTS

Quiz Night

Friday 26 October 2012

Our popular annual quiz night is in October. This will be held in Te Takere. Get your team lined up, and bring them along to enjoy a fun quiz in the new facilities.

Feedback 

Bridge Afternoon   The FOHL raised nearly $700 with this bridge afternoon held in July. Thanks to all the card players who turned up on a cold winter afternoon.

Last Library Mystery   Sadly this evening event planned for 20 July had to be cancelled through lack of support. I’m sorry about this as it would have been an entertaining night of puzzle solving to discover which Lady Detective solved the crime.