Activity: Libraries

This activity provides library services at a number of locations throughout the district. This activity contributes significantly to present and future social and cultural well-being.

The Library’s vision is to contribute to the social, cultural and economic well-being of people in the Far North District by:

• Providing leisure and learning opportunities with facilities and services that are accessible, and that meet the needs of the community.
• Providing best practice library and information services guided by Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (LIANZA) standards for public libraries.
• Providing responsive, affordable, and sustainable library and information services for our communities.

Key facts 

Council operates 6 public libraries, supports 4 community libraries, and 5 Area School community libraries. The 6 public libraries with full library services are located at Kaitaia, Kaikohe, Kawakawa, Kerikeri, Paihia and Kaeo. Community libraries are based in Kohukohu, Mangonui, Rawene, and Russell. Area School community libraries are in Broadwood, Taipa, Mitimiti, Opononi, and Panguru.

Our major achievements in 2012/13 

• Libraries participated in the earthquake “Drop Cover Hold” Civil Defence exercise along with some customers. 
• A strategic framework 2012/17 produced by Public Libraries of New Zealand, and released in September 2012, is being used by Council as a tool for planning and setting priorities towards Council’s ten year plan. 
• Investigation into social media uses and benefits for libraries by providing an easy and accessible communication medium. 
• Promoting New Zealand books and authors has increased borrowers issuing levels. 
• In line with the Archives facility at Procter Library, Council are focused on building further the Library’s relationship with the local retirement village, who have contributed and made connections to the library archives on local history material, and personal accounts of earlier times of the area in Kerikeri. 
• Increased e-Book content and downloadable audio books collection.
• Increased the number of events overall, encouraging more and a wider variety of participation.

Challenges we experienced

• The Local Government (Public Libraries) Amendment Bill did not pass the first reading in Parliament. The Bill would have prevented libraries from charging for borrowing books, DVD’s, music and internet use.

Plans for the next 12 months 

Make libraries more accessible and able to meet the community’s needs by:

• Providing a common library card to public and community libraries.
• Developing library services that reach beyond buildings using available and future technologies to offer an expanded and enhanced service to more communities.