Kia ora! 

You've received this newsletter because you've expressed interest in our library activities for kids and families. Read on for upcoming events, helpful library resources and more!

Out on the Shelves: What’s on for kids

Out on the Shelves is an online reading resource that aims to connect rainbow young people with the stories that represent them, listing books with positive rainbow representation in them.

June is the Out on the Shelves Campaign Month where libraries around the country are encouraged to see who can create the most out-there displays, activities, and programmes. Several of our Wellington City Libraries branches have won awards in the nationwide Out on the Shelves Display Competition in the past, so be sure to drop into your local library to check out this year’s offerings!

Another highlight, not to be missed, is the Rainbow Writing Competition 2023!

To celebrate Out on the Shelves, Johnsonville Library have planned a few special events for you and your whānau:

Dress Up Family Storytime

Saturday, 17 June

11am – 12pm

Johnsonville Library

Dress in your favourite costume and join us to make some accessories before the stories begin.​
Through stories and play, children learn how to express themselves and understand the world around them.​

For ages 2+​ with their caregivers.

The Glamaphones

Saturday, 17 June

2:30 – 3PM

Johnsonville Library

Celebrate Out on the Shelves at Johnsonville Library with the Glamaphones, Wellington’s rainbow community choir.

The Glamaphones have an emphasis on participation, inclusion, and building LGBTQI+ community. They sing a range of music including pop, classical, spirituals, world, choral, musical, and jazz classics.

Dress Up Preschool Storytime

Tuesday, 20 June

10:15-11am

Johnsonville Library

Celebrate Out on the Shelves with a special Dress Up Storytime.​

Dress in your favourite costume and join us at 10.15am to make some accessories before the stories begin.​
Through stories and play, children learn how to express themselves and understand the world around them.​

For ages 2-4 with their caregivers.

New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults 2023: Children’s Finalists!

It’s been another bumper crop year for children’s books in Aotearoa New Zealand — and all you need to do for confirmation is check out the shortlist for the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, officially announced last week. This is always a super exciting time of year for us at the library — picture librarians huddled anxiously around computer screens awaiting the announcement, exclaiming with joy and anticipation upon seeing the list go up, scrolling to see if our favourites made the cut.

The good news is many of our favourites did make the cut this year! The books on the list are by turns funny, quirky, beautiful, profound, and so distinctly Aotearoa in quality that they only could have come from here. To help you make your mind up about which books you think should win their categories, click through to our blog for a full list of the finalists, with links to our catalogue!

Tūhono 2022 is Live!

Tūhono 2022, the latest volume in our poetry journal for (and by) young Wellingtonians, has officially been released into the world!

Over 200 young Wellington poets between the ages of 5 and 18 contributed, so we have split the journal into two volumes — one containing the poems written by kids, and the other containing those written by teens.

Head on over to OverDrive or Libby to check out the kids’ version — you can find the teens’ Tūhono here. Physical copies of both journals have been printed and are available to reserve here and here.

Whakanuia a Matariki – July School Holidays

Celebrate Matariki at the library these holidays! Join us at the bonfire, build a star web, become a celestial navigator, and create your own kōhatu Matariki.

Matariki is the time for reflecting on the world around us and sharing our gratitude and hopes for the future. Visit wcl.govt.nz/kidsholidays for event times and locations, and check our facebook page for event updates.  

AnyQuestions offers free online homework help to New Zealand school students. You can log on to the website from 1pm to 6pm Monday to Friday during the school year and chat online with a friendly librarian about a schoolwork question.

Over on ManyAnswers, we have articles that provide guides to websites and other resources to help students find information and answers about popular topics!

• AnyQuestions
• ManyAnswers

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