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Kia ora koutou!
Welcome to our July 2026 newsletter
Mānawatia a Matariki!
As we enter the season marked by the rising of the stars Puaka and Matariki, we at Buller District Libraries embrace this special time of national reflection and celebration. Our school holiday activities reflect this spirit, inviting whānau to connect, learn, and share together. Please note we will be closed for the public holiday on Friday 10 July.
Our school holiday programme runs from Saturday 4 July to Saturday 18 July, offering a range of cosy, family-friendly activities. In week one, we explore traditions that resonate with us all during the Māori new year, while week two looks outward to winter themes from both near and far.
Lynn Rain is back again later in the month, and don't forget that our online events calendar is always the go-to source for what's on at your libraries.
With the winter solstice now behind us, the days are slowly growing longer again. In the meantime, Buller District Libraries are here to offer warmth, connection, and inspiration through the coldest months. The team at the Sue Thomson Casey Memorial Library and Inangahua County Library look forward to welcoming you soon.
Kia pai tō rā,
Your Buller District Libraries team.
What's on?
Join us these school holidays for cosy crafts and activities that celebrate Matariki and winter in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Sue Thomson Casey Memorial Library will be holding family-friendly events throughout the break, and both libraries will have fun craft table activities available at all times.
We will do our best to bring a little warmth to your days this winter. Call in and see us soon!
At the Sue Thomson Casey Memorial Library:
- Tuesday 7 July 3.00 pm to 4.30 pm Puaka, Matariki, the Māori lunar calendar and remembrance 🌔
- Thursday 9 July 3.00 pm to 4.30 pm the whetū ✨stars✨ of Matariki
- Tuesday 14 July 1.00 pm to 3.00 pm 🍪 cookie decorating fun day 🍪 bring your favourite teddy
- Wednesday 15 July 3.00 pm to 4.30 pm winter games, board games and Lego
- Thursday 16 July 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm🕯️winter tales and how to be hygge (“hoo-gah”) this winter bring your blanky
At the Inangahua County Library:
In addition to ATLAS Games & Lego every Thursday at 3.00 pm, fun craft table activities will be available during the holidays. Call in and see us!
Lynn Rain returns for a captivating evening presentation on Tuesday 28 July at 5.15 pm, offering another chance to experience her popular talk, first presented over six months ago.
The world of Ancient Egypt, with its iconic monuments and enduring mysteries, continues to spark our imagination.
Join Lynn as she traces the rise of this remarkable civilisation, with a special focus on the extraordinary life of Hatshepsut, one of history’s most powerful and influential female rulers.
Prepare for a captivating journey that blends sweeping historical narratives with intriguing personal details, brought to life in Lynn’s signature style.
Embark on an epic quest with our Dungeon Master Hunter, meeting every Saturday in Reefton at the Inangahua County Library.
Adventurers of all skill levels are welcome! Learn more about the game system here, or by reserving the Player's Handbook here at the Buller District Libraries.
Please note: Dungeons & Dragons is not suitable for children under 8.
Five questions with a Librarian
This month we're asking Ingrid T, our long-standing Assistant Librarian five fun questions. We hope this gives you readers an idea of what life behind the desk and in between the shelves of a library is really like... the highs and lows of a fulfilling career in the public sector!
What made you want to be a librarian?
I really enjoyed taking my children to the library when they were small; it was such a lovely environment, so when the chance came up to work there, I knew it was where I wanted to be.
What’s the biggest misconception about your job?
That we only issue and return books... also that libraries are quiet places!
What’s your greatest frustration?
The general lack of appreciation of how much we act as our community's "lounge", which ultimately means lack of funding to progress initiatives to support our community.
What’s the coolest project you’ve worked on?
Managing the DVD collection. My personal film appreciation has truly been enhanced.
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen at work?
Our tourists' antics from time to time... the liberties they take when in the library can be hilarious; one particular moment involving wet laundry comes to mind...
1000 Books Before School
The 1000 Books Before School programme encourages children, along with their parents and caregivers, to read 1000 books during their first five years.
Sign up and get your startup pack and a FREE book! The pack includes your first reading chart, book bag, sticker character map, brochure, and a folder to keep all of your reading material together. Let's get reading, whānau!
Books to check out in July
NZ fiction writer Riley Chance returns with another thriller featuring his two memorable characters, former US agent Marla Simmons and New Zealand journalist Grace Marks.
Summary (from the author's website):
Former US agent Marla Simmons keeps a low profile in a quiet South Island town, waiting for her past to catch up.
With an election looming, journalist Grace Marks is covering the escalating union protests – and someone is tracking her.
When a bomb rips through the Wellington union offices, echoing the unsolved 1984 Trades Hall blast, Grace is caught in the explosion. The official line that it is the work of a lone extremist doesn’t add up. With security cameras everywhere, identifying the culprit should be easy, but the police and SIS investigations stall.
Marla must decide – was Grace an innocent bystander or the intended target?
A gripping New Zealand thriller. Who is being targeted – and why?
Award-winning British children's author Phil Earle is back with a hilarious new series which introduces Finn N. O. Hope and his life of epic failure!
Summary (from Simon & Schuster):
Finn just wants to survive Year 7, but his life is destined to be a series of epic fails. It's only Tuesday and his scheming, unicorn-obsessed little sister has already stuck a horn to his head (with superglue) and his properly evil older brother has wedgied him 278 times. And don't even ask what happened at swimming, in front of the WHOLE CLASS. At least he has best friends Laszlo (a hopeless romantic) and Google (ask her anything) by his side as he attempts to turn failure into victory in his very own book that is definitely not a diary.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- Illustrations by the brilliant and hilarious AL MUPRHY
- Mortifying moments
- Laughter guaranteed
- Disastrous supply teachers
- A stinky stray dog who may just be the PERFECT best friend
- PRANKS!
- Mates who save the day
- OFF THE SCALE FAILOMETERS!!!
Our digital pick for July
Borrow ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more for free from the Buller District Libraries with Libby, the library reading app.
Libby is one of several digital resources available to our library members, and it is available here, at no cost.
Regular events: Westport
Tuesdays
5.00 pm - 7.00 pm
Thursdays
2.00 pm - 2.30 pm
Saturdays
10.30 am - 1.00 pm
Regular events: Reefton
Thursdays
3.00 pm - 4.00 pm
First Thursday (monthly)
10.00 am - 2.00 pm
Saturdays
12.00 pm - 2.00 pm
Reading challenges
Don't forget we have a fun incentive to read regularly for both our adult as well as our junior readers... click the buttons below to get started, and be in to win!
Hei konā mai | Goodbye for now 😊
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