Welcome to the first edition of Library News Online

We plan to email you on a regular basis, keeping you up-to-date with library news and events.  It might be wet and cold at the moment but things are buzzing at the library.

Community Reads

This is the first of many things that are exciting us at the moment.  A number of overseas libraries, mainly American, have run Big Read or One Read programmes in which a book is selected for the city to read.  There are then a number of events planned around the reading and discussion of that book.   Community Reads is the Palmerston North City Library version of this, however we're doing things a little differently.

We know that not everyone likes reading the same type of book, so we have four to choose from.  They are all written by New Zealand authors because we want to help promote and celebrate some of the great literature that is being produced right here in NZ.

These are the 4 books that are part of Community Reads in 2008:

The Blue

Mary McCallum visited the City Library on Wednesday 16th of July and we had a great evening of readings and discussion, chaired by Manawatu Standard journalist, Mervyn Dykes.  Coming up next is a book discussion on Wednesday 30 July so get yourself a copy of "The Blue" and get reading.

"The Blue" has this week been awarded the "Reader's Choice Award" and the "NZSA Hubert Church Best First Book Award for Fiction" at the Montana New Zealand Book Awards ceremony.  Congratulations Mary from Palmerston North City Library.

How do you get a copy?

The library has purchased multiple copies of this book and they are available to borrow free for 1 week.  You will find a copy on one of the Community Reads displays on the First Floor of the Central Library.  If none are available you are welcome to place a free reserve on the book to ensure that you get your hands on one as soon as possible.

Bruce McKenzie Booksellers is generously offering a 10% discount on The Blue (and the other 3 Community Reads titles) so if you would like to purchase your own copy that is the place to go.

More information about Community Reads

The Library website has a special section dedicated to Community Reads.  On these pages you can:

• learn more about the books
• find out about the authors
• see what events are planned
• vote in the poll for your favourite Community Reads book
• take part in an online discussion in "Talk about it"
• send us your feedback in "Talk to us"
• have a go at one of the Community Reads crosswords
• register which of the 4 books you have read
• and subscribe to the Community Reads email list so that you always know what's going on over the next 3 months.

Visit the Community Reads website

Website Survey

Our new library website is now over 18 months old so we've decided to do a bit of a review, find out what you do and don't like and then make it even better.

If you do use our website please complete the short survey on our website and tell us what you do and don't like.

If you don't use our website please complete the survey and tell us why you don't.

All of your feedback and suggestions will be considered.

Complete the survey

Library Week 18-24 August 2008 : What's Your Story? Nou te Korero?

Celebrating the 80th birthday of the C. M. Ross building

The City Library is planning to celebrate this important milestone in the life of its wonderful building, and we are looking for your memories of it, when it was a department store.

Do you remember Roscos – perhaps you worked there, shopped there regularly, or dined in the tearooms? And what of when it was owned by Milne and Choyce, the DIC and Arthur Barnetts?

C. M. Ross established his business in 1882 and in September 1928, after his death, this marvellous new department store was completed. It replaced the three buildings that served as the shop front on The Square, and linked through to other buildings on George Street and Coleman Mall.

If you have some interesting stories or memories to share, we would love to hear them, preferably in writing. Please contact Lesley Courtney, City Archivist at the City Library, PO Box 1948, Palmerston North, phone (06) 351-4100 or send an email to Archives.

Roscos, as it became known, was one of the foremost department stores in Palmerston North, and the new three storied building epitomised the modern department store that was emerging around the larger centres of New Zealand.

Large display windows, roomy departments catering for the whole family and their needs, and excellent service, were the order of the day. The crowning glory was the new tearooms on the 2nd floor, catering for the all day shopper, with silver teapots, waitressed service, live music. It also provided a venue for important functions and events.  The building served as a department store for over 60 years.

In 1996, newly renovated, it was opened as the City Library, a place that still retains some of the features of the original store as built in 1928.  We are producing a booklet on the C. M. Ross and subsequent businesses and your reminiscences will help create a picture of this bygone era.