Help! Someone is stuck in the chimney

Havelock North Library looks very Christmassy with a new fireplace, complete with stockings on the mantlepiece.

But look...there's some boots in the fireplace and legs in a red suit. It's not Superman because there's fur around the boots. Now we wonder who that could be?

Maybe the Havelock North children might guess when they call in to choose some holiday reading. Maybe, if they talk (quietly - this is a library) to Santa while he busy climbing down the chimney, he may hear their requests for presents... but only if they have been verrry good and read lots of books! This is a literary Santa.

iRead Teens Programme

This Summer Reading Programme is for teens 12+.

Enrolments for the Teens iRead Programme are now full in all three libraries.

If you missed out, keep reading anyhow. Call into the three libraries and check out the cool books in the Young Adult sections.

Be a Super Reader!

Be a Super Reader these summer holidays!

Enrolment are starting very soon for the Summer Reading Programmes.

This year we are excited to be introducing Pānui anō ngā Hautiua - our Te Reo component.

See the library website for more information - http://www.hastingslibrary.co.nz

Sorry - Havelock North programme now full. Some places left in Hastings & Flaxmere Libraries but be in quickly.

Survey of Library Opening Hours

Thank you to everyone who took part in our survey of Library opening hours. The survey is now closed and we are collating the information. We have had some very useful feedback and are always interested to hear how we can improve our library service.

Monster Book Sale

On Saturday 18 October the Friends of the Library held a MONSTER BOOK SALE in the courtyard of Havelock North Library.

After giving us a fright with the downpour on Friday, it turned out to be another glorious Hawke's Bay spring day.

The sale was a great success. Thanks to everyone who supported it and a very BIG thanks to the Friends of the Library for their time and efforts in looking after the sales.

Friends of the Library Book Sale

The Friends of the Library held a very successful book sale at Havelock North Library on Saturday 5th April - 10am to 4pm.

Many thanks to our Friends for all their hard work.

Preschool Sessions now at Havelock North Library

Havelock North Library will be holding sessions of songs, poems, stories and crafts for preschoolers from 10:30am - 11am.

Next term: 21 May, 4 June, 18 June, 2 July

WOW - Words on Wheels Literary Tour 2008

Guest writers entertained an absorbed crowd of over 50 people at the WOW - Words on Wheels Literary Tour 2008, held at Havelock North Library on Tuesday 12th February. The hour long event was co-ordinated by the NZ Book Council and featured talks by five prominent New Zealand writers who each spoke about their latest works.

The speakers were novelist Louise Wareham Leonard, playwright Victor Rodger, oral historian Paul Diamond, poet Michele Amas and children’s writer Ken Catran. Those who attended the event described it as inspiring and dynamic, and the diverse range of speakers was greatly enjoyed by the crowd. Here’s hoping they will visit Hastings District Libraries again on the next Words on Wheels Literary Tour!!!

Havelock North Library wins POD Award

Havelock North Library was nominated for a Havelock North Village POD award (Point Of Difference) for outstanding customer Service - WOW customer service in the Community, Arts and Culture Section.

There were 16 nominations for this category and staff were thrilled to win against so much competition.

"We appreciate the recognition you have given us by voting for us in ‘The Pods’ and will endeavour to continue to WOW you with great customer service. If there is any way we can enhance your library experience please let us know!"

The Awards were held on Friday 30th November at 7pm at the roundabout (or pod centre). It was an excellent opportunity to meet and network with businesses and other organisations in the village. Pods have a special significance for Havelock North, of course.

Photo: HN Library staff were represented by Kim and Kura.

Publish Me - Free Seminars

Every Kiwi has a book in them – including you!

Publishme.co.nz held two one hour seminars at Hastings and Havelock North Libraries to very interested audiences totalling 90 people. There are a lot of budding authors in our district!

Launched in May 2007 by Zenith Publishing, publishme.co.nz has since attracted over 800 members, all with a common goal to be, or to assist others in becoming, a published author. Read more at http://www.zenithpublishing.co.nz/publishme/index.php

Photo Exhibition at Havelock North Library

Pass it on...During October there was an exhibition of photographs by Josefine Beech at Havelock North Library. In the artist's own words, "images capturing those fragile moments of people's everyday lives".

Havelock North Library - Publishers' Road Show

The 2007 Publishers’ Roadshow was held at Havelock North Library on Tuesday 2nd October, attended by enthusiatic crowd of book-lovers. Publishers’ Reps from Random House, Hachette Livre and Reed enthralled the audience with sneak previews of popular book releases.

The Havelock Library team also tried their hand at presenting, introducing the upcoming books from Harper Collins.

The audience were unanimous in their praise of the special guests, local authors Judy Siers and Joy Watson, who spoke about their newly published books: The Life and Times of James Chapman Taylor, and Worms Squirm, respectively. Photo: Judy Siers and Joy Watson

Fun and magic at the Libraries

Havelock North Library
Oh my goodness! Half the families in Havelock decided to come to the library on Tuesday morning to see Peter the Wacky Wizard. He wowed, zapped, clapped and had all in fits of laughter with his wacky escapades, including the parents. Many children (and a couple of mothers) had the honour of becoming Wizard Assistants during the show.

His amazing doves and rabbit (yes real!) were so well received he had trouble leaving the library after his show due to the amount of children lining up for a pat. Thanks Peter for a great morning.


Hastings Library
Remy from Ratatouille was the star on Wednesday, with a large group of children enjoying stories of his adventures.

Then it was down on the floor with crayons and scissors, and everyone made paper versions of Remy to take home. Photo: Monique with her Remy.

School Holiday Programmes

Above: Peter the Wacky Wizard, an unflappable dove, and just some of the hundreds of children trying to guess how he did his tricks - Hastings Library

We were thrilled with the response to the recent holiday programmes held in our three libraries. Watch Holiday Programmes for details, times and dates of future events. Of course the next big programme is the Summer Reading Programme! Where did that year go?

New Zealand Book Month - September

Celebrating NZ Books and NZ Writers

Havelock North Library
Havelock North Library held a preschool reading as part of their NZ Book Month celebrations. Lynette entertained a small but enthralled group of children with lovely New Zealand stories and sung songs. To welcome spring the children, with help from parents, made lovely spring flowers.

Self Check Machines

Hastings and Havelock North Libraries both have self check machines for issuing books and magazines.

Any items with charges, e.g. DVDs, CDs, need to be taken to the desk to be issued on your card.

If you have an outstanding charge on your card, e.g. for reserves, overdues, interloans, you will need to go to the desk.