The winners of the LIANZA Children's Book Awards were announced at an awards ceremony on 4 August where the success of the awards this year in particular was noted. Much of this due to the partnership with Hells Pizza and the promotion which was running where kids could get a free pizza through reading a certain number of books.
The winners are as follows:
LIANZA Esther Glen Junior Fiction Award
For the most distinguished contribution to literature for children aged 0-15.
Dunger by Joy Cowley
LIANZA Young Adult Fiction Award
For the most distinguished contribution to literature for children and young adults aged 13 years and above.
Dear Vincent by Mandy Hager
LIANZA Russell Clark Illustration Award
For the most distinguished illustrations in a children's book.
Flight of the Honey Bee by Raymond Huber, illustrated by Brian Lovelock
LIANZA Elsie Locke Non Fiction Award
For a work that is considered to be a distinguished contribution to non-fiction for young people.
Wearable Wonders by Fifi Colston
LIANZA Librarians' Choice Award 2014
Awarded to the most popular finalist across all awards, as judged by professional librarians of LIANZA.
A Winter's Day in 1939 by Melinda Szymanik
Te Kura Pounamu
Awarded to the author of a work, written in Te Reo Maori, which makes a distinguished contribution to literature for children or young people.
Nga Kaitiaki a Tama! by Kawata Teepa, illustrated by Jim Byrt
For more on the awards check out the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/LianzaChildrensBookAwards?fref=ts
Council is giving you the opportunity to have your say on the future of the community facilities in Matamata (the Matamata Library, Memorial Centre and Council Office). Last month council sought feedback on whether these facilities should be repaired, renovated or rebuilt, now they're taking it a step further and want more information from facility users and potential users. This information will ensure that the decision council makes will accurately reflect the needs of our community, so come in and share your views on what you would like to see in our community at our open day held at the Matamata Library on Saturday 16 August between the hours of 9am-1pm. If you can't make it to this then join the discussion online at www.mpdc.govt.nz/discussion-forum
Finalists were announced for the New Zealand Post Book Awards on Wednesday and are as follows
Fiction
Poetry
Illustrated Non-fiction
General Non-fiction
Nielsen Booksellers' Choice
The winners will be announced at a ceremony on August 27
You can find more information on the awards here
APNK (Aotearoa People's Network Kaharoa) have very kindly sent Matamata and Morrinsville libraries new computers this week. We spent a very busy morning yesterday getting these all set up and installed so they were ready for the public to use. Not only do they look lovely and new, they also have bigger screens, go faster and are more reliable than the last ones. We also got a new printer which has more capabilities such as printing via email. Te Aroha should be recieving the same upgrade shortly, if you want to come in and use this great faciltiy the computers are able to be used during library hours and you are guaranteed to have at least half and hour per day, there is no cost for this service so come in and talk to a librarian.
Whitcoulls have just released their Top 100 List for 2014 as voted by New Zealanders. This years list marks a milestone as Eleanor Catton with her prize winning book The Luminaries made it to number six on the list- the first time a New Zealand author has made it into the top 10. This is a great achievement especially when considering that 70 percent of the list stayed unchanged with the majority of old favourites hanging in there. There was also an increase in the popularity of young adult novels in this years list as more adults are reading young adult books due in some part to the popularity of books such as The Hunger Games and the Divergent series which have also been made into movies- giving them a seemingly instant increase in popularity. This is true for number one and two on the list; The Fault in our Stars by John Green and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak which have both recently been made into movies giving them greater exposure. If you want to get your hands on some of Whitcoulls Top 100 come and check out the selection which we have in our libraries or have a look on our catalogue