A new organisation to promote digital inclusion was announced today. The Digital Inclusion Alliance Aotearoa (DIAA) aims to help expand digital inclusion initiatives throughout New Zealand, so that everyone has a chance to participate in the digital world.  “Our goal is to help reduce the barriers that prevent people from participating in their communities using digital technologies,” says DIAA establishment Chair of the Alliance, Laurence Zwimpfer.  “This includes p...

20/20 Trust today welcomed the government’s announcement of a new fund to promote digital skills in homes. “We look forward to working with the government in delivering digital inclusion programmes” said Laurence Millar of 20/20 Trust. “There are still 100,000 school-aged children without internet access at home, and they continue to be a priority group for investment. Their exclusion drives a wedge into New Zealand society, affecting education, employability and social ...

The Waimate District Library will no longer impose fines for children’s and young adult books being returned after their due date.  It is the ethos of the library to encourage people, especially young people, to use the library and imposing fines goes against the grain of this ethos.  Mayor Craig Rowley says exposing children from an early age to a world rich in words helps them become competent readers and writers, giving them an advantage in school and life.  “We ...

Beyond the Page, a literary festival for tamariki and their whānau in the winter school holidays, is back bigger than ever, with events expanding to 25 libraries across the Wellington region in 2018. Libraries will take tamariki on a journey through different aspects of storytelling, creating experiences for them to immerse themselves in and express their creativity. The aim is to enhance experiences for tamariki and their whanau, across the wider Wellington regiont, by offering them the t...

Puke Ariki in New Plymouth, presents its very first, and very exciting, library festival, AdLib.

Did you know many public libraries offer a winter reading challenge for children? It's a great way to brighten cold, dreary days and keep the family reading over the school holidays. ECREAD’N Winter Warmers is one such programme which runs for six weeks June 25 to August 3. This year's theme. Climb into Reading - Piki ki te Pānui! offers a range of activities that engages kids' imaginations; writing reviews, drawing pictures, designing covers of the books they&rsq...

Awards for Outstanding Service to Public Libraries were presented at the National Forum 2018

Our annual gathering of public library managers is taking place in Wellington on 2 & 3 May, at Te Wharewaka o Pōneke. It’s an opportunity for librarians to develop networks, share knowledge and learn.   A public library manager’s life is a busy one, and the changing world of libraries is creating more challenges. The National Forum provides an environment to discuss evolving issues that are important to librarians, their staff and the community they serve. Whether an...

Cultivate curiosity in your community by supporting New Zealand public libraries!  Public Libraries of New Zealand (PLNZ) helps to fund new ideas and new programmes that raise the profile of public libraries, making learning possible for Kiwis of all ages.   Public Libraries are individually funded by their local authority, but PLNZ is the overarching nationwide organisation for public libraries. All donations will be used to support the broader vision for public libraries in New Ze...

1. Well, off to the check-out desk we go then... 2. Much like wedding vows, it’s important to renew books before they become overdue… 3. There are just somethings that should never be kissed… books, however, should always be read 4. Keep the chocolates and books coming please… unless it’s Turkish Delight, then that can stay in the box. 5. Trust us – engaging with a new book will be more fulfilling than an awkward Valentine’s Day blind date.