Library news

The countdown to Christmas has started, apparently there are decorations going up in certain places and my twelve year old has already bought and wrapped all the presents ready for the big day.  I, however, have not done a single thing and it will stay that way until the 1st of December when the children’s Christmas books will come out of hiding. 
The Summer Reading Programme planning is underway.  Janet has kindly agreed to run the programme again this year and will be working on that full time from 21st November through until late January.  There will be lots of fun to be had on our pseudo South Sea Island paradise boat which will be temporarily moored on the Village Café garden deck outside (thanks Bruce!).  The theme for this year is Sail into Reading so I have promptly gone and got some palm trees and we will pretend we are on the beautiful island of Tokelau. 
Speaking of which, as I write this we are slap bang in the middle of Tokelauan language week (the last week of October) and have a beautiful tropical display up.  We have several Tokelauan people in our population and World Heritage categorise Tokelauan as one of the most endangered indigenous languages in the world. 

Moving on to books.  The Man Booker prize winner has been announced as The sellout by Paul Beatty.  I have been told it is quite readable which is not what we have come to expect from the Man Booker, so there we are – only you can judge. 
Other books this month that have quite taken my fancy are two gorgeous children’s picture books both illustrated and written by a New Zealand lady called Tiny owl on a ramshackle farm and Pukeko dancing on an old dirt track.   The theme of the man living like a goat continues with the man and his small son living like beasts.  Firstly a badger, then fox, deer and otter, would you believe it.  I think the otter lifestyle must have been quite challenging. 
I have had a large influx of new books as we are now in the prime publishing season  – the run up to Christmas.  The best way to see what has come in recently, for those online, is to check out the new books section on our website https://ent.kotui.org.nz/client/en_AU/wls/?dt=list.  Alternatively I keep a lever arch file at the library desk with copies of the front covers of new books so you can browse those at any time. 
We have been having a few problems recently with Wi-Fi or rather problems with those using Wi-Fi in the outdoor garden area of the Village Café.  Several months ago there was vandalism overnight to furniture and I had to cut the Wi-Fi from 24 hours to between 7am and 8pm.  Unfortunately in the last few days more deliberate vandalism has again been done to the tables outside.  This can only result in further restrictions which affects many people.  I had arranged for the Wi-Fi access area to be widened in the near future but I am not sure if this will happen now – it is really sad when the actions of one spoils it for everyone else.   
On to more pleasant subjects I would like to thank our volunteer workers who come in regularly to help us and also those that lend us time when they have it.  Every little bit helps.  As I write Ronnie is up the ladder dusting my shoes!  Also a big thank you for the many donations of books, magazines and DVDs.  It is fabulous that we now have The Economist donated to us – there are many of us that have missed that publication. 
QST Amateur radio magazine is a costly publication and we are lucky to have that too.  Well, the best news of all is our new flag has arrived.  If you haven’t yet seen it then just look down Kitchener from just about anywhere and you will spot the great big blue Library flag.  Now everyone should be able to find us.  That’s all for now, follow the flag and come and see us.
 
Shirley