Category: Library News

The latest from the City Library

Queen’s Birthday at the City Library

Palmerston North City Library will be closed on Monday 6 June for Queen’s Birthday.

The Central Library, Community Libraries, Youth Space and Blueprint: The City Library Makerspace will be open on Tuesday.

We wish you a restful long weekend!

Public computer upgrades at the Library

20 May 2022 – The City Library is now upgrading the public computer booking system in the Community Libraries on Monday 23 May. We’ve planned the update to happen before the Community Libraries open at 2pm on Monday.

There is a small chance of disruptions on Monday afternoon to Tuesday when using computers, but most of this mahi is being done externally and outside of our opening hours to ensure a smooth experience for you.

Our team are happy to help you as they can. Wi-Fi will be unaffected.

The update has already been completed at Central Library and Youth Space.

Digital Resource: Haynes Manuals AllAccess

Haynes logo

Haynes Manuals AllAccess is one of our digital resources you can use for free with your library card.

Haynes AllAccess is a digitalised version of their printed repair manuals, making over 700 online manuals available online covering car, 4WD, & road/off-road motorcycles.

Every online manual include:

  • Unlimited use of all manuals
  • Step-by-step procedures, from dash and trim to complete engine overhaul and everything in between
  • Mobile friendly on all operation systems with an internet connection
  • Fault finding guide and general service interval information
  • Colour photos – 750+ in each manual
  • Easy to read colour wiring diagrams
  • Quick links to popular procedures
  • Easy search functionality
  • Videos tutorials

Every manual can be easily viewed from any desktop, tablet or mobile device with an internet connection.

Off the Page is back!

Exciting news! Our popular Off the Page series, featuring some of New Zealand’s best writers, is returning to the library after being paused due to Covid-19. The series includes talks, readings, discussions and workshops from and for writers. Past guests have included Bill Manhire, Patricia Grace, Owen Marshall, Karlo Mila and Vincent O’Sullivan.

On Friday 6 May at 6.30pm we host Massey University, PNCC and Square Edge Community Arts Visiting Writer Feana Tuˈakoi in conversation with 2021 Visiting Writer Mikaela Nyman.

On Saturday 7 May, 10am – 12noon there will be a Writing for Children Workshop with Feana Tuˈakoi.

Off the Page is sponsored by the School of Humanities, Media and Creative Communication and the Palmerston North City Library.

All activities are free and open to the public.

Registrations to attend these programme dates can be sent to genny.vella@pncc.govt.nz or 027 292 9965.

Book review: ‘The Dinosaur that Pooped a Rainbow!’

Thanks to the Awapuni Library for this review on The Dinosaur that Pooped a Rainbow by Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter.

Danny sees a rainbow,
Dino sees it too!
So many pretty colours,
They can name them all, can you?

When Danny and his friend Dino see a beautiful rainbow in the sky, they name each of the colours they can see. When they finish they realise that there is one important colour missing. Only Dino the Dinosaur can help correct it!!

A great book about colours for young children with lovely illustrations and part of The Dinosaur That Pooped series.

Anzac quilt

Each year around Anzac Day we display our special Anzac quilt. This quilt was made from hours of work from Council staff and the Palmerston North community in 2015.

The poppies came about from a request from the Waiouru Army Museum to create a display commemorating the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War 1. Due to the amazing response they got there was a surplus so all of poppies made by Palmerston North residents were retained by the Central Library in order to make the amazing quilt.

Amongst the red poppies there is also a white poppy to commemorate the fallen Asian soldiers and a purple one for the animals who died during the war. The Turkish flag is also included as they are kindly watching over the graves of our fallen soldiers.

ANZAC Day hours at the Library

Palmerston North’s Central Library, Community Libraries in Ashhurst, Awapuni, Roslyn and Te Pātikitiki, Youth Space and Blueprint: The City Library Makerspace will be closed on Monday 25 April for ANZAC Day.

For the Fallen

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal 
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: 
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again; 
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England’s foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound, 
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust, 
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness, 
To the end, to the end, they remain.

– Laurence Binyon

What’s on this April

This April, the Library has a great range of activities for all. Here’s a summary of what we have coming up:

April School Holiday Grab and Go activity packs

In a hurry and need something to entertain the kids? Our Grab and Go activity packs are perfect, and a new pack is available each week! Find out more.

21 April – Taking the Ridge

Part of our Writers and Readers programme, Taking the Ridge welcomes author Jeffrey McNeill to talk about his book Taking the Ridge: Anzacs & Germans at the Battle of Messines 1917.

The talk is on 21 April at 6pm on the Ground Floor of Central Library, and RSVPs are requested. Find out more.

27 April – Global War, Global Catastrophe – Neutrals, Belligerents and the Transformation of the First World War

The First World War had a massive impact on Aotearoa New Zealand, but we were far from alone. In this lecture, Professor Maartje Abbenhuis explains how fundamental the First World War was for communities around the world, whether they actually fought in the war or not. 

This talk is hosted at the Globe Theatre at 5.45pm. RSVPs are necessary. Find out more.

Autumn Reading

It’s like Summer Reading, but cosier and open to all!

Read, earn badges and go into the draw to win prizes for feeding your inner bookworm. Find out more.

COMING UP IN MAY

5 May – The Career That Chose Me: Vicki Lee Find out more.

12 May – Life as a Beefeater in the Tower of London Find out more.

More activities and programmes are in store at the Library, so stay tuned!

Easter open hours

Planning to visit the Library this Easter weekend? We’re closed Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, but open on Saturday 16 April. Check out the hours for Central Library below:

And for our Community Libraries here:

Palmeirinhos celebrating Carnival in Palmerston North

Last week about 60 members of the Brazilian community in PN and members of the wider community enthralled us all with a parade around Te Marae o Hine /The Square with their puppets, music and dancing.

Carnaval is the most popular event in Brazil and everyone is welcome to celebrate it. It is used in our community as a chance to help keep the Brazilian culture and language alive, and especially as a chance for the children to keep a connection to their culture.

Check out the article from the Manawatū Standard: Carnaval brings colour and culture to Palmerston North city centre | Stuff.co.nz