Library Week

Library Week is an annual celebration of libraries and librarians, taking place throughout New Zealand from the 16th to the 22nd of August. Library Week has been running for 35 years and honours the important role that libraries play in our community. The theme of this year’s library week is ‘Ask me - you might be surprised!’


This theme reflects that librarians are not just people who issue and shelve books, and tell you to "shush" when you’ve been too noisy, but are trained information professionals with a world of knowledge at their fingertips. We are also individuals with unique interests and experiences that you may not expect at first glance - all you need to do is ask! Library Week is also using the Māori proverb He Taonga Te Pātai (to ask is precious) which alludes to the importance of teaching, listening and learning.

Masterton District Library will be holding some special events to celebrate Library week. On Monday the 16th and Tuesday the 17th we will be running special training sessions on how to make the most of your library card. These sessions will be held at 10am and 4pm each day and provide advice on how to utilize the features of our online library catalogue, your library card, and our website, including the recently added World Book. To book for one of these sessions please contact the library.

On Wednesday the 18th the library will be taking part in New Zealand’s largest storytime with a reading of the highly appropriate Mr Muggs the Library Cat by New Zealand author and illustrator Dave Gunson. Libraries around the country will be reading this story at the same time and we are arranging an internet video link with Upper Hutt Library for a combined storytelling session followed by a craft activity. This event will take place at 10:30am within our regular Rainbow Kids preschool programme.

On Thursday the 19th we will be holding a special Quiz Night in the library thanks to the generous sponsorship of the BNZ Masterton, Food for Thought café and Trust House. There will be refreshments, spot prizes, and a prize for the first, second and third placed teams. Teams will consist of four members and entry will cost $20 per team. Places are strictly limited so get in quick to take part in this fun evening.

On Friday the 20th we will be having a Love Your Library day. We would like you to let us know about the books you love and will be creating a display of these in the library. We will also be having a special hire one, get one free offer on our adult and children’s DVDs and Premium Rental Magazines. Throughout Library Week we will also be running a competition where you have to match staff members with the book they have selected as their Staff Pick. All successful entries will go into a draw with the winner receiving a wonderful prize donated by Hedleys Bookshop.