Friday, May 28, 2010

Kimbolton Library

It was a chilly night in the small village of Kimbolton, but warm inside this historic library (especially with lots of bodies in a small space!)

The building is one of the few remaining two room cottages in the area that are in their original format. We had an entertaining and interesting introduction to the history of the building and the library from Simon Johnson (Feilding Library).







The library was the focus of a "problem solving" project for a small group of primary school children in 2009 and several of the children were present to tell us about the project. They fundraised to renovate the library and grounds.


This group of children (and some dedicated parents and teachers) won the National Junior Award for Community Problem Solving. From there, they entered the International competition, and flew to Michigan to compete with school children from all around the world. They raised a total of $58000.00 to get there and enter. The highlight was that they won the International Award for Community Problem-solving and came home victorious.
Apparently the trophy had to fly home first class as it needed its own seat!
This is a fantastic achievement from a small community and school (the roll is 60) with a population of 1000 in Kimbolton.

The library visit was followed up by a lovely meal at Hansen's cafe in Kimbolton with a roaring open fire :-)

Thanks to Fiona Donald for the photos.

Heather

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Ikaroa Regional Councillor

Hi all
Hopefully you are all aware that I am your Regional Councillor for the 2010-12 period. I made the decision to stand for re-election as I feel like I still have work to do on Council, and I am still 100% committed to the role.

Although it turned out that I was unopposed, I did prepare a short statement in case of an election and I thought it might be handy for those of you that don't know me to see what I stand for. So, here it is ...

I have represented the Ikaroa Region on National Council for the previous two years and am seeking re-election to this role.

There are challenging times ahead for all sectors of our profession and it is my belief that now, more than ever, we need a Council which is experienced and knowledgeable. I believe that I bring that experience to the region and also to Council. Having worked in both public and academic libraries, and in rural and urban settings I have a good understanding of the issues faced by our profession from a variety of perspectives.

I have really enjoyed getting out around the Region over my current term, and feel privileged to have been your representative. I have a heartfelt passion for the good that libraries do in our communities and the value that we all, as professionals, bring to our organisations.

Please see my profile on the LIANZA website for more information about me.

http://lianza.org.nz/career/librarian-profiles/head-distance-library-service

I hope to get around the Region more this term, and look forward to catching up with you all. In the meantime please feel free to contact me anytime - email is probably your best bet :-)
h.m.lamond@massey.ac.nz or phone (06) 356 9099 ext 7486

You might also be interested in this document on the LIANZA website - the newly documented job profile for a Regional Councillor - so you know what it is I'm supposed to do :-)

Cheers
Heather Lamond



Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Visit Kimbolton Library!


Kimbolton Library visit – 27th May 2010

Join Ikaroa LIANZA for a visit to the historic Kimbolton Public Library.


Located in Edwards Street, the library operates from one of the oldest remaining buildings in Kimbolton, with the cottage gifted to the Kiwitea County Council Library Committee by Rev J F Mayo about 70 years ago. The Library was the focus of a problem-solving project for local school children in 2008. The group of eight Kimbolton school children won the prestigious title of being the best junior problem solvers in the world, having won the International Junior Community Problem Solving Challenge competition in the US for their work on the Library.

The Library will be open for us from 5.45pm for viewing and a presentation. Then, those that are keen can have a meal at Hansen’s Cafe in Kimbolton.

If you are interested in carpooling please let me know how many and where from and I’ll do my best to coordinate.

RSVP by Friday 21st May to h.m.lamond@massey.ac.nz.



Tuesday, April 27, 2010

LIANZA Council Elections

LIANZA Secretary, Alli Smith, is calling for nominations for the LIANZA Council for the 2010/11 year.

Nominations are being sought for the roles of President Elect, Ikaroa Councillor, Otago/Southland Councillor and Waikato/Bay of Plenty Councillor.

All nominations for the 2010/11 Council elections will close at 5pm on Thursday 20th May 2010.

Who can Nominate and Stand?

  • Any Personal Member of the Association or the Authorised representative of an Institutional Member may nominate any other Personal Member for election to a position as Officer on the National Council.

  • Any Personal Member of the Association or the Authorised representative of an Institutional Member in a particular Region may nominate any other Personal Member in that Region as Councillor for that Region on the National Council.

Who can vote?

The Officers of the LIANZA National Council are elected by Personal and Institutional Members of the Association.

Regional Councillors of the LIANZA National Council are elected by LIANZA Personal and Institutional Members within that Region.

Voting Papers

If an election for any position is held, voting papers will be sent to members for a poll.

More Information

For more information about the process and the rules for nominations go to the Code of Practice or the following sections of the Rules on the LIANZA website:

  • Officers of the Association

  • National Council of the Association

  • Powers of the National Council

For further information about Council elections please contact Alli Smith, Secretary, LIANZA (Ph: 04 473 -5834) alli@lianza.org.nz

Associated files can be found at the LIANZA website.

Local vacancy

Further to the above, our own Michael Parry will not be standing for chair this year at our AGM in August. We will, therefore, need nominations for Ikaroa chairperson. Are you up for it or is there someone you know who would be? Think on it!


Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Fizz! Bang! Pop! - South Taranaki District Libraries


It all went off with a Bang in South Taranaki.

Kids who wanted to have fun in South Taranaki during the April school holidays headed for the South Taranaki District Libraries where ‘everything was going off with a bang!’

But with the theme Fizz! Bang! Pop! what else would you expect? New Zealand award -inning children’s author Des Hunt was in town encouraging the children to ‘Have fun with science- doing crazy experiments’. At his workshops the children made elephant toothpaste, test tube rainbows, created incredibly loud explosions with nail polish remover and film canisters and learnt how to melt steel effectively. All the experiments were designed to excite the children about science – and it worked! Also on board for the holidays was Bright Sparks educator, Andrew Hornblow. Children attending these electronic workshops enjoyed making circuit boards and LED lights to take home.


Other crazy experiments included making ginormous bubbles. First the children had to construct their bubble loop, and then make the mixture. All the activities were a lot of fun, the libraries bubbled with excitement throughout the two week holiday period and preparation for staff was minimal- which is always a bonus! This was a great way to link the science books in the library with hands on activities and hopefully leaves this generation with the feeling that libraries are a great place to be.


Funding was provided through local sponsorship and carries on the local theme of children having fun with science.

Pam Jones
District Children’s Librarian
South Taranaki

Friday, April 16, 2010

Revamped LIANZA website goes live

Here it is folks!
http://lianza.org.nz


As the site settles and we all get signed up, we will contemplate moving this blog to the LIANZA site, more like a one stop shop.
Meantime, happy playing!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

TIG Event @ Puke Ariki

Interested in the latest exhibition @ Puke Ariki??
Come along to hear all about it on Wednesday 28th April, 7.00pm.

Meet in Foyer, North Wing (beside I Site)

Come to view and hear about the latest exhibition at Puke Ariki that explores the
issues surrounding the Taranaki War.

Bring questions you may have about the Exhibition

Hosted by Jocelyn Millard

This event can be used for LIANZA professional registration revalidation –

• BOK 11 - Awareness of indigenous knowledge paradigms

It could also be of value for parts of –

• BOK 1 – Understand the relevance of the Treaty of Waitangi to libraries
• BOK 2 – Understand the role of libraries in the information lifecycle …

RSVP Christine Nana nanac@npdc.govt.nz
By Wednesday 21 April 2010