Category: Library News

The latest from the City Library

The Library app is back!

We’re delighted to announce that the Library App is back in action! Renew items, place holds, and see the latest library news, all on your phone or tablet. You can even link accounts, so you can keep an eye on the whole family’s cards in one place. We know many of you have really missed having the app, so we’re overjoyed to be able to tell you it’s available again. Please contact the City Library if you have any questions about installing or using the Library app, and please spread the word!

Versions writing project – submissions open 1 March

Once again, in 2024, the City Library’s Versions writing project is go. The fifth in the series, Versions Tuarima will collect community creativity, giving anyone an opportunity to see their work in print. Use the prompt to get started with writing a story, poem or play, or write a piece of music or create some visual art. The idea is to explore creativity.

This year’s prompt is “whenua/earth”. Make of that what you will. You can use it extensively, or as a jumping off point, or go your own way completely.

How to format your submission:

  • As a .doc, .docx or .rtf file
  • Name and contact details at the top of the manuscript.
  • Double spacing, with paragraphs indented and no space between paragraphs.
  • Italics as Italics and bold as bold.

See here: for a good formal overview: https://www.shunn.net/format/classic/

Feel free to contact us with any questions about that, at content@pncc.govt.nz.

Submissions open on 1st of March and the deadline is 31st July. We’ll publish a physical book as well as an ebook in October. We’re planning on running a couple of workshops to help you along the way – keep an eye on our What’s On page. Submissions and questions can be sent to content@pncc.govt.nz

Let your creative muse soar!

Books Just Want To Be Held

Like most of us, library books just want to be held. Holds are free at Palmerston North City Library, and it’s a great way to make sure you don’t miss a popular title. You can also place a hold on a book to bring it from another location. For example, if you’re at Ashhurst you can put a hold on a book that’s at Central, and it will be brought out to you.

Here are some ways to place a hold:

  • use the Place Hold button when you’re browsing the library catalogue. Just enter your card number and PIN, select the pickup library, click ‘Place Hold(s)’ and you’re done!
  • ask a librarian next time you’re at one of the library locations
  • contact us on 06 3514100 or at pncl@pncc.govt.nz

Whichever method you use, you’ll receive an email when the book is ready to be collected. Then you have 10 days to pick up the item.

Show a library book some love today!

Versions Tuarima – creative writing project

Versions is back! Each year we throw open the invitation to local writers to be part of an anthology. We provide the prompt (which you’re welcome to ignore if you don’t need it) and you can submit anything from a poem to a short story to a play. Actually, anything creative – music, visual art, sculpture, dance, anything – we’ll figure out how to include it.

Library staff do the editing and formatting, and then the anthology is published later in the year. All writers get a hard copy of the book, and are invited to bring their friends and family to the launch.

All submissions are accepted (unless they are offensive or plagiaristic). So if you’ve ever wanted to write something and have it published, here’s your chance!

This year’s prompt is as brief as it is broad: earth. This ties in with this year’s Heritage Month theme, so if you’re short on ideas, you could attend some of the Heritage talks and see if they spark something.

You might want to write a poem about Planet Earth. Or a short story where the protagonist builds a rammed-earth house. Go wild with it, and write whatever comes to mind.

As this is the fifth instalment of Versions, it will be called Versions Tuarima. (Rima = five.)

Keep an eye on the City Library website as we get closer to March, and we’ll release details of the submission dates and process.

Until then, start conjuring up ideas!

Library Survey

We’re seeking feedback to find out if your library is giving you what you need. Your opinion means a lot to us, and we’ve crafted a survey that’s nice and short, so we won’t take up too much of your time.

Tell us what you like, what you love, and what you’d like to see more of. Any constructive feedback!

Please take a couple of minutes to fill out this quick survey, even if you don’t currently use the Library – we’d really appreciate it.

Random Poetry Generator!

The next time you’re in the Library and think ‘I could really use a quick, randomly generated poem right now’, we’ve got you covered!

The Poetry Machine has been coded to randomly select and print a poem from submissions received after we put out a call on Facebook. The ‘machine’ is a repurposed receipt printer linked to a Raspberry Pi and a giant red button (just because). It is housed in a gorgeous old record player box. It’s designed to be ‘plug and play’ so wherever we put it, people will be able to print themselves a random poem to enjoy. 

At present, we have about 60 poems from a range of submitters (newbies through to experienced poets, school children to more mature folk).

The Poetry Machine will be at the Central Library from Wednesday 13th December for about a month (excluding our closed period for the holidays).

Thanks to the poets who submitted. We’re sure your words will delight and inspire!

Summer Reading update 5/12/23

For all you adventurous readers who are registered and participating in the Palmerston North City Library Summer Reading Programme, here is the Book Chat Calendar for your reference as you plan your 4 book chats with us over summer. When you pick up your booklet this will also contain the calendar and all the info you need to complete the programme. You must pick up your booklet from the library you registered with.  

More details about Summer Reading are at this blog post.

If you click the Download button at the bottom, you’ll be able to see a bigger version of the calendar that’s easier to read.

Summer Reading Programme

We are excited to bring to you our Summer Reading Programme again this Summer!

Where will you go with your reading this Summer?

Summer Reading Programme ages 4-10

This programme promotes the enjoyment of reading for tamariki aged 4 – 10 years over Summer for readers of all abilities. Our team will assist participating tamariki with their reading and encourage them to talk about what they have read when they come in for a book chat. We also provide assistance to parents and families in what services the library has to offer. Tamariki will earn rewards as they progress and if they complete four book chats they get to attend our finale event with their whānau. This year there are also optional virtual badges which will earn entries into our Choose Your Adventure mystery pack draws as well.

The Summer Reading Programme starts Monday 4 December and finishes with the finale on Thursday 25 January.

iRead (Intermediate) Reading Programme for children aged 11-13 years

Starts Tuesday 5 December and finishes with the finale on Wednesday 17 January. This programme allows tamariki to explore their reading through written book reviews with incentive books earned as they progress.

Language Book Chats

Book chats can be provided in other languages on both programmes if requested but will depend on volunteer availability. You can request to do this via the language link in the programme description when registering.

PLACES ARE LIMITED

Registrations open 9am Monday 27 November

Registrations are made via Beanstack. Beanstack is the library’s online platform for monitoring and encouraging reading.

If you already have a Beanstack account but have forgotten your sign in details please contact pncl@pncc.govt.nz and we can help you out. Doing this before registrations open will be your best option so you are all ready to go.

Once registered you will have a Summer Reading or iRead booklet to collect from the library you registered with.

For more information about our Summer Reading Programme please contact pncl@pncc.govt.nz or your local Community Library.

Fiero Code

Want to learn to code? Our NEW online resource Fiero Code teaches kids 8 -18 the coding skills to make websites, apps, programs, animations and video games through fun activities.

Complete Fiero Code workouts and missions to unlock gear to customise your own avatar.

Go to our Digital Resources page for more info.

Create an account, and start coding today!