Waitakere City Council
Waitakere is an Eco City
 

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.

 

Children's Library CardDo 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)
All Waitakere City libraries have CD, DVD and video collections.  Check out the latest  featured material and new items.

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

 

Tuesday Ranui Library 10.30 am
Te Atatu Peninsula Library 10.30 am
Wednesday Titirangi Library 10.30 am
Massey Library 10.30 am
2.00 pm
New Lynn Library 10.30 am
Thursday Glen Eden Library 10.30 am
Waitakere Central Library 10.30 am

Mandarin story times

 

Friday Waitakere Central 9.30 am
New Lynn Library 11.00 am

 

Halloween pumpkinCalling 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 MagicFishy 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?

Library Date Time
Ranui Library Thursday 23 October 3.45 pm
Titirangi Library Saturday 25 October 11.00 am
New Lynn Library Saturday 1 November 11.00 am
Glen Eden Library Saturday 1 November 2.00 pm
Waitakere Central Library Saturday 8 November 11.00 am
Massey Library Saturday 8 November 2.00 pm

 

 

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 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.

After Harry Potter
Front cover of "After Harry Potter" pamphlet

(Size 271K)

Fantasy books similar to the Harry Potter series

Books for Boys
Front cover of "Books for Boys" pamphlet

(Size 223K)

Exciting books for boys & reluctant readers

Award Winners
Front cover of "Award Winners" pamphlet

(Size 221K)

Children's award winning books & authors

NZ Disasters
Front cover of "New Zealand Disasters" pamphlet

(Size 223K)

Books about New Zealand accidents & disasters

What's Next?
Front cover of "What's Next?" pamphlet

(Size 234K)

Popular authors & who else writes like them

 

Book and Website Lists for:

Difficult Times

 

Parenting

 

Genealogy

Bullying and Abuse
Front cover of "After Harry Potter" pamphlet

(Size 165K)

Dealing with Bullying and abuse

Death and Emotions
Front cover of "Books for Boys" pamphlet

(Size 165K)

Books dealing with Death and Emotions

Divorce and Separation
Front cover of "Award Winners" pamphlet

(Size 172K)

Divorce and separation books for children

Parenting
Front cover of "New Zealand Disasters" pamphlet

(Size 192K)

Books about Parenting for children

Genealogy
Front cover of "What's Next?" pamphlet

(Size 237)

Books about Genealogy for children

 

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.

Child Safety Online - www.dia.govt.nz
Guidelines for parents, rules for online safety and more.

 

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 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 Rocket into Reading Logo

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.

 

 
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