Topic: Friends of the Library November Newsletter
Topic type:
FROM THE CHAIR
Hello Friends - I’m pleased to be back in Levin after my break overseas. I have come back fired with enthusiasm for gardening after visiting two really special gardens in the UK. We went to Cornwall to the Lost Gardens of Heligan and to the Eden Project.
Heligan is a marvellous example of the restoration of a neglected garden. Many old gardening techniques have been rediscovered and revived. The Eden Project is a pioneering model of sustainability and the interdependence between plants and people. Here the brilliant engineering of bio domes allows individual eco systems to be set up and maintained. Both places were on my bucket list. Both undertakings employ many local people but also rely heavily on a pool of dedicated volunteer workers, as do our local libraries with you, the Friends and Volunteers.
We returned home through America where we had a chance to catch up with children and grandchildren who live just outside Las Vegas. A helicopter trip into the Grand Canyon (another one off the bucket list) was truly memorable. It is so much grander than even the name implies.
I hope to see you at the book sale in Levin Mall next week, and at the 100 year birthday celebrations in the Levin library at the end of November.
Barbara Easterbrook
Te Takere Progress
Fundraising for Te Takere continues apace. The art auction on 6 November was a great success. Around $17 000 was raised towards youth projects in the district – some of that will go to the youth centre in Te Takere. The Sweet Sounds concert was a delightful event. Not the money maker we had hoped for but a great night out for those who attended.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Book Sale Thursday 17, Friday 18, Saturday 19 November 2011 in LEVIN MALL
The November book sale is a three day event. There will be a Friends’ preview on Wednesday 16 Nov afternoon. To let the sales staff know that you are a Friend the code word is “Kowhai”. The yellow blossoms are a feature in Levin, so it’s an apt seasonal reminder.
Centenary Celebrations 28, 29, 30 November 2011 Levin Library
Opened on 29 November 1911, the Dale Carnegie Free Library was located on the north-west corner of Oxford and Bath Streets. This library was constructed in 1910 with funding of £1,500 from the American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Carnegie funded 18 libraries in New Zealand. The Carnegie Library Grants required that the library offer a free lending service and free admission to the reading rooms. However of the 18 Carnegie Libraries established in New Zealand, only 3 or 4 actually provided a free service.
The Library was opened by the premier, Sir Joseph Ward. In The Evening Post report of the opening it was stated that another £200 was raised locally for furnishing and books for the library.
The Library moved into a new building in Bath Street in 1965 and the old Carnegie Library building was demolished in 1969. There will be celebrations and a display in the library to mark 100 years of library services in the region.
Morning Tea Friday 2 December 2011 in Levin Library at 9.30 am
This is the annual invitation to Friends and Volunteers, where the Library Trust shows their appreciation for all your efforts. If you would like to take that opportunity to make your membership donation for 2012 we will have our receipt book on hand. The Christmas tree will be in the library from Monday 5 December.
BRANCH NEWS
Levin Five students are currently working after school in Levin – Caleb, Sol, Monique, Mariah and Emma. The student workers were behind the establishment of the study evenings on Mondays and Wednesdays. Some two dozen students or so spend a couple of hours studying. Volunteer teachers in Maths, Science and Geography have been on hand to help. This is an excellent service for local students.
JP services are available in Levin Library on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Ask for Jenny Foreman the librarian who organises Homelink if you need a JP.
Shannon JP services are available at the Shannon library on Thursdays. Jenny Foreman is your local JP and has her seal with her when she works at the library. Tuesday is the homework night at Shannon.
Foxton Kayla is the student worker in Foxton, with Brodie as her relief. Foxton library should be getting a new seat outside just in time for summer. This one should be a tougher task for the local vandals to wreck.
FOOT NOTE
If you are wondering what to read, or if you belong to a book club and are interested in putting together a list of recommendations, check this out
http://kete.library.org.nz/trust/topics/show/86-julias-page
Ask one of the friendly student workers to help you if you haven’t tried using the library site yet. Julia’s page is compiled by Julia Kuttner a Friend. She writes reviews, and has a knack for picking winners.
Well done Julia – splendid service.
Dianne Edyvane – newsletter editor
