Library News
What is happening in the library? We are adjusting to the schools being back and the change in focus from children all day long to the 3 o’clock rush. Nothing like the old 6 o’clock rush but the intensity is the same.
Book babies is back on Tuesdays 10-10.30 and Richmel is on good form although I have some misgivings about the political correctness of Little BunnyFooFoo bopping mice on the head!
New talking books have arrived from National Library in the three month changeover and hopefully next month we will swap over the Large Print for a new selection.
The Census is coming up and the libraries will be open until 7.30pm on Census night (6 March) so the Wifi and computers are available to complete the census if you have unreliable internet at home. There is a slim chance The Star will come out before the 6th but if not at least everyone will know we were open late! Our Wifi has recently been upgraded and now reaches further than in the past so you don’t have to come in the library to use it.
One of my lovely customers complimented us today saying the library has such a great selection of books and it is a great asset to Martinborough. Although I am happy to take the credit, I feel the library is a result of a communal effort. Our staff are invaluable but so are the customers. You all get involved, are interested in what’s going on and support us. Certainly, we love people to join us and be involved. One of my keenest readers rings me from Unity Books in Wellington to let me know about good books I should buy!
Others check out The Listener book reviews and makes suggestions for book purchases. There are also loads of other things to do if you want to spend some time supporting your community hub library.
We have a lovely band of volunteers who spend time with us because of many reasons some of which are giving back to the community, meeting people, learning more skills or practicing dusting! You could also join The Friends of which we now have over 40 members.
There is also our book club (2nd Friday of the month : 10-12) or you can volunteer to help run the activity programmes in the school holidays. This is your library, so get yourself involved! Come and join us. I am now getting towards the end of the budget year and funds are running low (as usual) – no, of course I don’t spend too much on books, the budget could be double and it still wouldn’t be enough for what I want to buy! So my thanks to everyone who has been donating books, I really think I would be hard pushed to do without them.
The Friends have been holding a number of events, the latest being the hugely successful Bingo night on the 21st February which raised $822. So far $4,500 has been raised towards furnishing the children’s library in the new building. Thanks so much to the committee: Kate, Charlotte, Jo, Maureen who put in so much of their time and resources.
Thanks also to our sponsors: Ken and Colleen from The Bowling Club, P&K, Scarlet, Mint, Green Jersey, Alice’s Tea Party, Peonies, Marty Hotel, Frank & Becky, Margrain, Medici, Daphne Geisler, Antoni Smolnicki and Bibilicious. If I have forgotten anyone please let me know and thank you – please support our lovely locals by buying in Martinborough.
Martinborough is such a unique place and I feel so privileged to be part of this great community. Having living in many different places all over the world, I can categorically state this is my favourite place to be. Have a great month everyone, I can recommend reading as a way to get through the unfavourable weather – just wish I had more time to do so!
Shirley Nightingale
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