Children's Services (0-12 yrs)

Waitakere Libraries have a specialist Children's Team - the Kidz Team.  They can assist with advice on reading materials, and organise storytimes, holiday programmes and school visits on a regular basis.

Teens Services	Does it cost anything to borrow books or puzzles?
Does it cost to join the library?	How long can I borrow things for?
Do I have to have my library card to borrow books?	Featured material and new items
Does the library have story times?	Internet safety for children
Kidz Links	Any Questions
Recommended reading material	Summer Reading Programme
Services Brochure	New Zealand Post Book Awards
International Children's Book Day	Westie Kids' Fav 50
Fishy Tales from the Sea	Calling all ghouls, ghosts and goblins

Does it cost to join the library?

Membership is free for all children and teens who live in Waitakere City or attend preschool, primary, intermediate or secondary school here.  (Parents or Guardians are responsible for all items borrowed on a child's card).   You can start the enrolment process by filling out the online form. Please take note of your registration number as this will be needed when you come into collect your library card.

Do I have to have my library card to borrow books?

Yes, you will need your card with you to borrow books or anything else from the library.

Does it cost anything to borrow books or puzzles?

No, it's free to borrow:

• Fiction (Harry Potter, Cat in the Hat, Animal Ark)
• Non-fiction (Science, Horrible Histories, Pets)
• Picture / Board Books (Hairy Maclary, Maisy, Kapai the Kiwi)
• Magazines (Disney Adventures, Lucky, Helix, Baby Bug)
• Books-On-Tape
• Puzzles

There are no late charges for children's books on children's cards.  Check out the current featured material and new items especially for kids.

How long can I borrow things for?

• Books, books-on-tape and puzzles can be borrowed for 4 weeks
• Magazines can be borrowed for 2 weeks 
• Music CDs, children's videos, CD-ROMs and Playstation games  for 1 week (there is a small charge to borrow these)

Waitakere Central Library also has CD-ROMs and Playstation games.

Does the library have story times?

Preschool story times
Mandarin story times
October School Holidays

Note: Story times are delivered during school terms only.

Yes, the Children's and Teens' Librarians hold free weekly story times.

The story times run for about 30-40 minutes and involve story reading, songs, action rhymes, felt boards and a lot of fun.

Anyone wanting further information can contact any library branch or the Children's Librarians.

Preschool story times

 

Mandarin story times

 

Calling all ghouls, ghosts and goblins!

Do you want a trick and a treat this Halloween?

Visit the New Lynn Library on Halloween night for an evening of scary stories, gruesome games and magic tricks. Dress in Halloween costume for a chance to win some magical prizes!

Where and when?

New Lynn War Memorial Library
3 Memorial Drive
Friday 31 October
6.30-7.30 pm

Fishy Tales from the Sea by Starfish Magic

This October and November come to your local library and enjoy a free Starfish Magic show.

Each show is ideal for the whole family and features:

• Live music
• Interactive stories
• Magic tricks
• Catchy sing-along songs

Where and when?

Westie Kids' Fav 50

Vote and Win! Waitakere Library and Information Services want to know what your all-time favourite books are! You can vote for your top 3 books by grabbing a voting form from any Waitakere Library Branch or from your school library. All votes go into the drawer to win a $50 book voucher.

All votes will be counted up and the Westie Kids' Fav 50 list will be released at the end of August 2008. Where will your favourite books be in the list?

Recommended reading material

The following are recommended book lists for children and their parents on a range of topics.  For more information or assistance in selecting reading material, please email the Children’s and Teens’ Services Librarians or phone us.

Check out the current featured material and new items.

Note: You will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer in order to view and print these documents.  For help opening PDF files or tips on copying information see Helpful Tips.

Any Questions?

Let us help you find the answers.

Any Questions is an online service for New Zealand school students, which enables users to get real-time online help from librarians in finding quality information to meet their school work needs.

Any Questions is available Monday to Friday from 1-6 pm by visiting www.anyquestions.co.nz.

Check out the useful websites and resources available in the FAQ section.

Internet safety for children

Netsafe - www.netsafe.org.nz
Internet safety information for kids, parents and schools.

Kidz Links

Study Help
 

The British Museum - One of the top museums in the world.

Science Museum - For those with a fascination with science and technology.

Any Questions - For students with homework questions. Search the FAQ database or chat to a 'live librarian' on weekdays from 1- 6pm.

Guinness World Records - Useful facts for those who just need to know.

Learning Planet - Neat learning activities from kindergarten to year 8.

National Geographic - For kids interested in the world around them.

Older kids
 

Teenreads - Book reviews, polls, author info, trivia and games for teens.

Urge - NZ teens dealing with stress, depression, drugs, anger, image.

Attitude - NZ teens dealing with life issues.

Wild about movies - A must for keeping up to date with the movies.

Funbrain - Stretch your mind with fun ways to help practice your reading and maths.

Scholastic- A variety of activities to keep you reading for fun.

Graffiticreator - Practice your tagging without the grief of real life.

Architectstudio3d - Be your own architect and create your own house.

Munchables - Make your own alien.

Captain Underpants - Calling all Captain Underpants fans.

Professor garfield - Garfield helps you boost your brain power.

Garfield fungames - Your favourite cat keeps the fun coming with a variety of activities.

Kidsreads - Book reviews, polls, author info, trivia and games for kids.

Younger kids
 

Jumpstart - Online activities from the company that provides cool learning programs.

First School - For kids just getting started at school.

Easy Fun School - Learning activities for the younger people.

Get Ready For School - Practice the skills you'll need for school, before you go.

Starfall - Learn to read the fun and easy way.

PBS kids - Fun sites for younger children.

BBC children - Everything for children from the BBC.

Services Brochure

Note: You will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer in order to view and print this document.  For help opening PDF files or tips on copying information see Helpful Tips.

Children's and Teen's Services Brochure (Size 150K)

Summer Reading Programme

Five hundred children rocketed into reading with the library’s annual Summer Reading Programme.

The incentive-based scheme encouraged children to maintain and improve their reading habits over the summer break. Children who took up the challenge were required to read for at least 15 minutes a day, and “check in” at their local library four times over the holidays to complete the programme.

Magician Andy Walker

They recently celebrated their success with two prize givings at the Kelston Community Centre. Children who checked in at Glen Eden, New Lynn and Titirangi Libraries were invited to attend the first awards ceremony on 31 January. The remaining participants from Massey, Ranui, Te Atatu Peninsula and Waitakere Central Libraries wrapped up the celebrations the following evening.

Magician Andy Walker delighted the crowd along with his pet rabbit, Twinkie, and a great time was had by all.

Each child who successfully completed the programme received a medal, certificate and book prize. Special awards were also presented for outstanding book reviews and art competition entries.

The Summer Reading Programme was generously sponsored by the Henderson, New Lynn, Waitakere and West Harbour Rotary Clubs.

Watch this space for details of the 2008-2009 Summer Reading Programme.