Let’s Go Lego

Children’s Event Schedule over the Summer

Stephen Clothier

Kia ora koutou! The summer holidays are a great time for you to relax, spend some time with whānau, and bask in the sunshine with a good book. Our librarians sometimes like to do this as well, so there will be some changes to our regularly-scheduled events and programmes during Christmas, New Year’s, and January. You can find out where and when everything is happening at the Event Calendar, or the children’s What’s On webpage, but here are the basics for you:

Baby Rock and Rhyme:

Our rockers and rhymers will be taking a break at most sites from the 11th of December, and making a glorious return from the 24th of January. However, if you’re itching for that musical fix in your life, the wonderful team at Te Awe Library on Brandon Street will keep running Baby Rock and Rhyme until the 23rd of December, and return on the 9th of January. Karori and Cummings Park Libraries will resume from the 7th of February.

Preschool Storytime and Kōhunga Kōrero

These will run until the 11th of December at most sites for all your storytelling needs, and our storytellers will be returning from the 24th of January. At Te Awe Library, Preschool Storytime will be running right up until Christmas, and will be back from the 9th of January. At Karori, Cummings Park and Khandallah Libraries, storytime will return from the 7th of February.

LEGO® programmes:

Some Let’s Go LEGO® and LEGO® Time programmes will be cancelled over December and January, and some will keep running. It’s best to check the event calendar to see what’s on where.

Term-time programmes:

Our term-time programmes including Code Club, Tech Time, and CRAFTerschool will mostly be starting up again after Waitangi Day 2023, to give you all time to adjust to being back at school before diving back in to library events. Check the event calendar to be sure!

Don’t forget that our Summer Reading Adventure is running until the 31st of January 2023! Visit this page to learn more and sign up now. There are also plenty of special holiday events happening for children and families during the festive season — visit our blog post to find out more!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact your local library, or you can email the Children’s Librarian to find out more.

Children’s Programmes Returning at Orange!

Stephen Clothier

Warning: this post is intended to be read by parents and other adults. Kids read on at your peril!

Kia ora koutou! We are so excited to let you know that next week, from the 7th of June, some of our popular children’s programmes are returning to our libraries! It’s been some time since we have been able to run these events in a consistent way for you all, so we thought we’d lay out the current schedule for you below. We can’t wait to see you there!

With COVID -19 still in the community, please remember that all of these days and times are subject to staff availability, and we may need to change them from time to time. The library’s event calendar will always have the right days and times!

We’re so excited to be welcoming back our Storytimes and other events for tamariki and their whānau!

What’s on and where?

Here is the current programmes schedule for Wellington City Libraries. We’ll be adding to this over the coming weeks, so keep checking back or subscribe to our eNewsletter for the most up-to-date info:

Arapaki (Manners St) Library

Cummings Park Library

He Matapihi (Molesworth St) Library

Johnsonville Library

Karori Library

Mervyn Kemp (Tawa) Library

Miramar Library

Newtown Library

Ruth Gotlieb (Kilbirnie) Library

Te Awe (Brandon St) Library

Wadestown Library

Frequently-Asked Questions

Do I need to wear a mask while attending an event at the library?

Yes — if you are over 12 years of age, you must wear a mask while visiting one of our libraries, including while you are attending a library event. Our staff will also remain masked. For more information, please visit our COVID-19 FAQs page.

Why haven’t you restarted every programme you used to run pre-COVID?

We do aim to bring our wonderful programmes back across the whole library network, but we’ve chosen to restart at our larger branches first so that we can take the opportunity to give newer staff some valuable experience working with their colleagues before they take that knowledge back to their home library to share with their community. Keep an eye on our event calendar and social media platforms to keep up to date with programmes resuming at our other locations.

I feel uncomfortable visiting if I know there is going to be a large group of people there. What are you doing to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19?

At all times we are adhering to New Zealand Government guidelines for the running of events in public venues. We will be continuing, as far as possible, to encourage physical distancing between groups of attendees; we will continue to require the use of facemasks for those visiting our libraries; and we will be carefully cleaning spaces and equipment used for our public programmes between sessions. You can help too, by ensuring that you stay at home if you or your child are feeling unwell or have recently been in contact with a COVID-positive person. If we all work together, we can continue to keep our community safe!

I still don’t think I will come to storytime in person just yet. Is there some way our whānau can still participate in library activities without physically coming to a library?

You’re in luck! On our YouTube channel, thanks to the generosity of New Zealand publishers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, you can find playlists of special storytimes and Baby Rock and Rhyme sessions to keep your whānau entertained without needing to come to the library. Also, the Johnsonville Library Facebook page is a great place to find videos for sensory activities, and musical and crafty sessions to keep your little ones engaged.

I would like some more information about a programme at my local library. Who should I ask?

You can always get directly in touch with your local library by giving them a call or by emailing us. Alternatively, you are welcome to get in touch with the Children’s and Youth Services Coordinator directly with your queries.

Upcoming changes to our children’s programme schedule

Stephen Clothier

If you live in Karori, Ngaio, or Khandallah, you might notice that there are a few changes coming to our schedule of events for children and families, starting in the first week of May!

Our extra-special monthly storytimes at Khandallah Library will feature a special theme and fun activity for tamariki and whānau to get stuck into as well — contact the library (or chat to a friendly librarian!) to find out about what’s happening each month.

What’s changing?

Here is the new schedule of events for Karori, Cummings Park, and Khandallah Libraries — programmes that have changed days or times are marked with a star. Don’t forget to check in on the library event calendar from time to time to keep up to date with new programmes and special events happening in our libraries!

Karori Library | Te Māhanga

  • *Preschool Storytime: Every Tuesday and Wednesday, 10.30am*
  • *Kōhunga Kōrero: 2nd Tuesday of every month, 10.30am*
  • Baby Rock and Rhyme: Every Thursday and Friday, 10.30am
  • Let’s Go LEGO®: 3rd Saturday of every month, 2.00pm
  • Code Club: Every Tuesday during the school term, 3.30pm
  • *Free Family Movies: During school holidays and to mark special events*

Cummings Park (Ngaio) Library | Korimako

  • Preschool Storytime: Every Wednesday, 10.30am
  • Kōhunga Kōrero: 3rd Wednesday of every month, 10.30am
  • Baby Rock and Rhyme: Every Tuesday, 10.30am
  • Let’s Go LEGO®: 2nd Thursday of every month, 3.30pm

Khandallah Library | Tari-kākā

  • *Preschool Storytime: Last Friday of every month, 10.30am*
  • Let’s Go LEGO®: First Friday of every month, 3.30pm

Why are the changes happening?

We’re changing the days and times on which some of our programmes are happening so that we can make some more space in our calendar to bring some new and different experiences to tamariki and whānau who use these libraries. We also hope that the new schedule will make it easier for more families to join us for our sessions, by making sure that our events aren’t on at the same time as other, similar groups in the community!

To our wonderful families in Karori, Ngaio, and Khandallah — we look forward to seeing you soon.

Family Lockdown Challenge: LEGO® Building Challenges

Eirini Antonogiannaki

Do you have any LEGO® fans in your house? Are you looking for fun ways to fill in your time during the lockdown? Then look no further because we’ve got you covered! We’ve put together some of the most popular LEGO® Challenges that we’ve tried during our “Let’s Go LEGO®” sessions so that you can get some inspiration and try them at home.

LEGO® Challenge #1: Why not put your chef hat on and organise a ‘LEGO® Master Chef Challenge’? Get as creative as you can and build some mouth-watering creations! From Lego-cupcakes to Lego-fruits/veggies and Lego smoothies, how many “tasteful” creations do you think you can make? Let’s find out!

LEGO® Challenge #2: Do you have any marbles lying around the house? From a ‘LEGO® Marble Run’ to a ‘LEGO® Marble Maze’, just experiment with ramps, bridges, jumps and dead ends and make your creation as simple or as complicated you want.

LEGO® Challenge #3: What about a Zip Line Challenge? Get a rope or a clothesline wire and let those creations fly! Try to add some sort of a pulley mechanism and explore concepts like slopes, angles, and gravity!

Now it’s time for you to grab some bricks and let your imagination run wild with LEGO®! We’d love to see what you have created so please take photos or videos of your creations and tag us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!

Happy building!

Wonderful world of Lego!

Katie

Lego Fanatics, brace yourself.

Lego mania has been unleashed all around Wellington City Libraries with Lets Go Lego, with the release of The Lego Movie 2; TV show Lego Masters Australia and an outstanding collection of  books that will inspire your Lego creativity… and addiction. Believe it or not, according to Inner Child Learning, Lego Bricks have been applauded by teachers and parents as one of the best toys for learning, building creativity, and strengthening fine-motor skills. Lego Bricks are an open-ended toy, meaning they can become just about anything a child or adult imagines, including an educational tool.

What are you waiting for? Its time to come on down to your local library and unleash your inner Lego master!… by…


Attending one of our Lets Go Lego sessions at the following branches:

Newtown Library: Third Monday of each month, 3.30-4.30pm

Miramar Library: Fourth Thursday of each month, 3.30-4.30pm

Cummings Park (Ngaio) Library: Second Thursday of each month, 3:30-4:30pm.

Khandallah Library: First Friday of each month, 3.30-4.30pm.

Karori Library: Third Saturday of each month, 2.00-3.00pm.

Mervyn Kemp (Tawa) Library: Second Thursday of each month, 3.30-4.30pm.

For further information email WCL enquiries or check out the library event calendar for dates.

 

Borrowing Lego books from your local library, such as:

iamge courtesy of syndeticsLego City : busy word book.

Jam packed with busy and colourful scenes from LEGO City sets and more than 750 words. LEGO City is the perfect place for early readers to encounter plenty of exciting words for the first time, including vocabulary for buildings, vehicles, jobs and activities. Fun, interactive activities such as spotting recurring characters and naming favourite vehicles keep children engaged and encourage repeat reading.

image courtesy of syndeticsGenius LEGO inventions with bricks you already have : 40 new robots, vehicles, contraptions, gadgets, games and other fun STEM creations.

The world of Lego, science and engineering combines with this amazing books that gives you ideas on how to transform your bin of LEGO® bricks into amazing, movable toys, machines and gadgets. It’s easy and fun to build each of these awesome contraptions and games by following the clear step-by-step instructions and photographs. No matter what you end up creating, you’ll learn exciting new things about science, impress your family and have a blast along the way. A must have book and resource to read, especially with Techweek 2019 around the corner!

image courtesy of sydneticsAmazing brick mosaics : fantastic projects to build with the Lego blocks you already have.

“Every LEGO-loving kid has at least one huge bin of bricks the sets are built, dismantled, and typically never built again and this book gives them dozens of ways to reuse them in fun projects that range from easy to challenging. Featuring a simple yet elegant mosaic technique, step-by-step instructions, and full-color photographs for making 25 cool two-dimensional pictures, Amazing Brick Mosaics offers unique projects that will delight any LEGO enthusiast”–Provided by publisher.

image courtesy of syndeticsBrick city. New York : 20 unofficial LEGO® projects to build!

It’s New York – but not as you know it. This unofficial guide helps LEGO® fans of all ages discover Central Park, the Chrysler Building, Brooklyn Bridge and 17 more landmarks recreated in amazing detail by top brick artists from around the world. Then make your own with 20 quick-build projects that include a hot dog cart, yellow taxi cab and subway train.–Provided by publisher.

image courtesy of syndeticsBrick city. London : unofficial LEGO® projects to build!

It’s London – but not as you know it. This unofficial guide helps LEGO® fans of all ages discover the Houses of Parliament, Tower of London, Covent Garden and 17 more landmarks recreated in amazing detail by top brick artists from around the world. Then make your own with 20 quick-build projects that include an Underground train, a red bus and fish & chips. –Provided by publisher.

image courtesy of syndeticsBrick city. Paris : fascinating facts and amazing stories.

It’s Paris – but not as you know it. This unofficial guide helps LEGO (R) fans of all ages discover the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Centre Pompidou and 17 more landmarks recreated in amazing detail by top brick artists from around the world. Then make your own with 20 quick-build projects that include Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur and a Tour de France cyclist.–Provided by publisher.

See previous blog posts, (one and two) for other Lego books in the collection.

Lets Go Lego and Code Club now on at Newtown Library!

Katie

Are you looking for something to do after school?

Then come along to Newtown Library for some fun filled creating and innovating with Lets go Lego and the new Code Club!
Let’s Go LEGO is a free, programme recommended for children aged 5+ with parent/guardian supervision. You will use the library’s Lego collections to design and build your masterpieces.

Each session will be held on the 3rd Monday of every month between 3.30pm – 4.30pm. 

The next session will be on Monday 20th May.


image courtesy of https://codeclub.nz/

Code Club Aotearoa is a free coding club for 9-13 year olds. Children will work their way through a range of fun coding projects, using Scratch and Python, under the guidance and support of coding experts. Please contact Newtown Library to register. Code Club at Newtown Library will be held every Friday until between 4pm -5pm.

So what are you waiting for? Head on down to Newtown Library to make, create and innovate Lets go Lego and Code Club Aotearoa!

Let’s Go Lego at Tawa & Johnsonville Libraries!

debbie

Are you looking for something to do after school?  Then come along and have some fun by creating and completing Lego challenges.

Tawa Library have their event on Thursday 13 September  at 3.30pm – 4.30pm.

Johnsonville Library have their event on Friday 14 September at 3.30pm – 4.30pm.

Let’s build – Let’s explore – Let’s create… Let’s Go Lego!!

Let’s Go LEGO Update

Stephen Clothier

Hi everyone! After a very successful return at Karori Library on Saturday the 6th of January, we’re pleased to announce that Let’s Go LEGO will be continuing at Wellington City Libraries in 2018! Please note that due to a change of day, there will be no Let’s Go LEGO session at Cummings Park Library in January. We look forward to seeing you there on Thursday the 1st of February! Keep these days and times in your diary:

Karori Library: First Saturday of the month at 2:30pm, beginning on January the 6th

Cummings Park Library: First Thursday of the month at 3:30pm, beginning on February the 1st

Keep your eyes peeled for future updates on Let’s Go LEGO — we have a lot planned this year! Happy building 🙂

For more information, contact Stephen at Karori Library, 476 8413, or email enquiries@wcl.govt.nz

(Image “Buried in Lego 2” by Curtis McHale is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.)