AN NZCER evaluation has found a recent pilot project that offered gaming workshops in seven public libraries around New Zealand boosted young people’s interest in science and technology and inspired them towards a career in gaming, programming and/or coding.

Recent figures released by Public Libraries of NZ show a huge increase in public library Wi-Fi and public internet terminal usage for the 2015 reporting year compared to the previous year.

Public Libraries across New Zealand are teaching coding and strategy to young people. Wellington, Hutt City, Porirua, Nelson and Gisborne libraries are next. From January, they’ll be offering workshops for young people, their teachers and interested adults to come along to their local library and learn about online game coding and strategy for free.

The rise and rise of digital media in New Zealand continues according to Public Libraries of New Zealand’s latest statistics.   Over 800,000 ebooks were borrowed from library databases in 2013 – more than double the estimated 350,000 e-books borrowed in 2012.   The stats also showed that total number of printed books issued also fell by just four percent (to just over 48 million).   Borrowing may be on the up with ebooks, but according to Executive di...