News Blog @ Wellington City Libraries

Meet top marine scientists from NIWA and peer through their microscopes at all the weird, wonderful and incredible things they have found in and near the sea during the Mana 2011 BioBlitz.

You can talk to the scientists from 10am–12noon on Saturday 19 February at Central Library and discover all the amazing plants, animals and insects living on the land and in our sea in the Mana region.  Learn about taxonomy (identifying and classifying species) and find out how you and your family can be involved in the BioBlitz – you might even help discover a new species! 

A free and fun opportunity for individuals, families and anyone interested in nautre, the environment, science or just exploring the biodiversity within our region. 

As part of Race Relations Week, Miramar and Kilbirnie libraries played host to the famous Italian puppet, Pulcinella, cousin to the English Punch. His friends, Teresina, La Morte (Death), Fred and the Black Sheep came along too.

Anna Bailey, our puppeteering librarian, gave the traditional tale a NZ twist, when Pulcinella left his darling Teresina and her delicious pizza for an ill fated trip to NZ. What with a cannibal sheep and a visit by Death it wasn’t a story for the faint hearted.

The brave students from St Pats, Holy Cross and Miramar Central and a few fearless preschoolers were a wonderful audience. They played there role to the max, yelling encouragement to Pulcinella, booing the Black Sheep and La Morte and laughing at all the silly goings on.

All in all it was a very raucous but enjoyable morning in both libraries.

We have a new practical and colourful carry bag for kids – big enough to fit CDs, books, comics, DVDs – or swimming togs for that day at the beach. Each bag comes with a handy pocket big enough for a library card – plus they close easily with a Velcro fastening strip.

These bags are already very popular, and are available at any branch library at a cost of $5 each.

On Tuesday at 11am, join Marg, Odette, Ellie and Monty for a children’s ukulele musical storytime!

They’ll be presenting some of New Zealand’s most well known songs and stories.  All dancers, singers and ukulele players welcome.

The Library is running a Waitangi Day quiz! Answer the questions and you could win an MP3 player. Enter it here, but be quick as it closes on Saturday.

If you’re wanting distraction for the younger ones in your family (or you want to be entertained yourself), why don’t you check out our new online stories? Donkeys and Selma, both read by Thomas La Hood, are now available to view (our grateful thanks to Gecko Press for allowing us to use these books).

These videos join the other online storytimes on our Kids Downloads page.

This new CD is a great Christmas gift for the young ones in your family, with its quality production of 33 songs to share with babies and children under 5. It includes traditional songs, nursery rhymes and waiata – all your favourites.  It was recorded and produced by Wellington City Libraries and features the musical talents of library staff along with some very special guest singers from Capital City Pre-school.

The CD is now available for sale for $15 at all our libraries. Stocks are limited so get in quick!

Join us tonight at Central Library for  Stories@7 on the 7th.  Tonight there’s a surprise theme – wonder what it will be?  So bring all your friends! Plus – get your thinking caps on – you get to choose the theme for next month.

Stories@7, a fun 45 minute story time for ages 7 and up, first Friday of every month, Central Library

Moving here from Thailand six years ago, this Book relishes the freedom to choose who and what she wants to be in New Zealand. Free from the cultural and social expectations of Thai culture, she enjoys being respected for who she is and the down to earth and ‘DIY’ approach we have to life. But along with connecting with her own inner strength she has also encountered depression and other challenges. Find out about her experiences and the different ways she is contributing to our community.

“I couldn’t believe that I could really do it – living here and making my own life!”

This post is part of Living Library 2008. ‘Living Library’ is an event organised during Library Week 2008 18-24 August. Follow the links for more information