Libraries reopen at Delta Level 2

Posted on 07 September 2021

The Waikato Region will be at Delta Level 2 at 11.59pm on Tuesday 7 September. Our libraries will reopen Wednesday 8 September but with restrictions in place, including capacity, sign in requirements and the requirement to wear a mask.

Our opening hours will change (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and Saturday 9.30-1pm) and our programmes will also be affected.

Read on

Cambridge & Te Awamutu Community

Move to Alert Level 3

Posted on 30 August 2021

On Tuesday, 31 August at 11.59pm, New Zealand south of Auckland will have moved to Alert Level 3.

Our libraries will be working under the following conditions: Our libraries will be closed to customers even though staff may be on-site. After-hours returns/bookdrops will remain closed. Due dates for all items will continue to be extended. No items will be due back during the time of closure. There will no additional charges to borrowers.

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Cambridge & Te Awamutu Community

Alert Level 4

Posted on 18 August 2021

Our libraries are currently operating at Alert Level 4 conditions.

This means our libraries are closed as are all other Council facilities.

Our bookdrops for after hours returns are now closed. Due dates for all items have been extended (currently to 10 September). No items will be due back during the time of closure. There are no additional charges to borrowers.

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Cambridge & Te Awamutu Community

Ancestry month

Posted on 03 August 2021

We’re celebrating August with a series of free events and displays to coincide with Ancestry month.

The events are running with the support of Cambridge Museum and Historical Society, Te Awamutu Museum and the New Zealand Society of Genealogists—Cambridge and Te Awamutu branches.

Read on

Events Community Cambridge Te Awamutu

Books Alive Special Events

Posted on 26 July 2021

LIANZA and the New Zealand Book Awards Trust are bringing together another year of Books Alive online events and virtual storytimes.

Waipā District Libraries have been chosen again to host a Books Alive Meet the Finalists event and two Virtual Storytimes.

Egg & Spoon, an illustrated cookbook by Alexandra Tylee, will be presented as a Zoom event, while Hound the Detective and This is where I stand will be presented as virtual storytimes.

Read on

Book awards and reviews Cambridge & Te Awamutu

Teen mural project

Posted on 09 July 2021

Funded by the National Library of New Zealand, the Teen Mural Project has provided a great opportunity to focus on community engagement. The Te Awamutu Library acknowledges how creativity can enhance a space and inspire people. We intend this mural to enhance reading for pleasure, and inspire community wellbeing.

Local artist Teresa Siemonek (seasoned painter and art tutor), along with a group of ten pre-teens and teens, have created a large canvas artwork with the theme of ‘Celebrating reading’ or ‘Dreams inspired by reading’.

Read on

Te Awamutu

Looking for speakers aged 8-15 years

Posted on 10 June 2021

Waipā District Libraries is hosting a PechaKucha event featuring children as the speakers.

A PechaKucha presentation is a format that uses slides or images that are displayed for 20 seconds each. The slides move automatically as the presenter is speaking. The topic can be anything of the speaker's choosing and they choose their images.

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Cambridge Events

New fees & charges

Posted on 01 June 2021

As a result of your feedback and following Council approval, Waipā District Libraries fees and charges are changing! The new fees and charges apply from 1 July 2021.

The great news is that a significant proportion of our adult book collection will no longer attract a charge to borrow. There will be no charge to borrow books more than 2 years old (determined by the copyright date).

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Cambridge & Te Awamutu

Winter Reading Challenge set to return

Posted on 21 May 2021

Waipā District Libraries Get Lit! Winter Reading Challenge is set to return, starting Friday 4 June.

This year will again include a teen challenge card as well as an adult challenge card. The bingo card is back as are the challenge squares!
 
The challenge lasts for 12 weeks, so there is plenty of time to join the programme and work on an entry or two.

Read on

Cambridge & Te Awamutu Events

New Zealand Music Month

Posted on 04 May 2021

It's May - and that means it's New Zealand Music Month!

Come and join us for one of the music month activities we have on offer at our Cambridge and Te Awamutu Libraries.

Activities range from dance to music and jam sessions. There's something for all ages.

Read on

Te Awamutu Cambridge Community Events

Artists at Work makes welcome return

Posted on 06 April 2021

Following the disappointment of cancellation in 2020, Artists at Work makes a welcome return to Te Awamutu in 2021. And we are grateful to have retained the support of our original artists.

Take a glimpse into the creative process as local artists work on current projects in the Te Awamutu Library Community Room or come and join in with one of the variety of art classes which are available for both adults and children.

Read on

Te Awamutu Events

Mystery in the library returns

Posted on 19 March 2021

Mystery in library returns to Waipā in April 2021.

The Ngaio Marsh Awards, in association with the Waipā District Libraries, invites booklovers to this event featuring four talented storytellers from the Waikato.

As crime writing has evolved from puzzle-like mysteries to novels delving deeply into people and places, it has continued to intrigue readers around the world. But what makes the genre so captivating?

Read on

Cambridge Events

Author events for Autumn

Posted on 08 March 2021

Heading into the Autumn months we have a fantastic line up of local authors set to visit our Waipā Libraries.

True Crime writer, Scott Bainbridge, grew up in Te Awamutu and will talk about his latest books and new projects following on from the interest generated last year in Cambridge, Graeme Woodfield has written a wide variety of books and visits Cambridge to talk about his journey as a writer, Sharon Holt brings her popular Te Reo Singalong Show to Te Awamutu and Julie Thomas and Trudi Caffell will run writing and self publishing workshops.

Read on

Cambridge & Te Awamutu Events

Heritage Month activities continue

Posted on 17 February 2021

Waipā District Libraries popular Heritage month is back for 2021 and can continue on schedule following the Government's announcement on 17 February.

February is packed full of activities which highlight the wealth of heritage Waipā has to offer.

Heritage walks will again be the highlight and those postponed in mid February will be rescheduled.

Read on

Events Community Cambridge & Te Awamutu

Alert Level 2

Posted on 15 February 2021

Our libraries are currently operating at Alert Level 2 conditions.

Our libraries are open but with restrictions in place.

Please note no programmes or events take place under Alert Level 2 unless specified. Please contact the library if unsure.

Read on

Cambridge & Te Awamutu Community

Best reads - Librarian's choice 2020

Posted on 12 January 2021

This year’s list of Best Reads according to our Librarians' choices is many and varied.

Non-fiction items, teen books and junior fiction were popular this year as well as the usual fiction items. The year of publication varies widely.

Best Reads 2020 - Librarians' Choice

The Seven Sisters, Lucinda Riley (Fiction)
The night fire, Michael Connelly (Fiction)
Zero Day, David Baldacci (Fiction)

Read on

Book awards and reviews Cambridge & Te Awamutu

Libraries open

Posted on 11 January 2021

Our libraries in Cambridge and Te Awamutu are now open with regular hours back in operation. Our late nights are on Wednesday and Friday.

The Summer Holiday Reading Programme (Take a Shelfie) continues. Checkins recommence from Wednesday 13 January which is also the date for the next Story Session featuring 'Fun, fab fairy tales'.

We look forward to welcoming you back to Waipā District Libraries.

Read on

Te Awamutu Cambridge

Happy Holidays

Posted on 21 December 2020

For the holidays our libraries will be closed from 2pm on Thursday 24 December 2020, reopening Monday 11 January 2021 at 9am.

Please note our revised hours on the following days:

Monday 21 December - 9am until 8pm
Tuesday 22 December - 9.30am until 8pm
Wednesday 23 December - 9am until 8pm
Thursday 24 December - 9am until 2pm

Read on

Cambridge & Te Awamutu Community

Christmas activities and holidays update

Posted on 01 December 2020

It’s that time of the year and we’re pleased to announce our Christmas activities for 2020 and provide an update on our holiday hours.

Join us for one of our card or craft making sessions or why not enter our Christmas Tree Craft Competition?

Christmas Tree Craft Competition
Ages 10-17 and 18 and above.
PaperPlus gift vouchers to be won
Entries close 11 December

Read on

Events Community Competitions

Craft supply swap success

Posted on 21 November 2020

Participants arrived early to Saturday’s Craft Supply Swap eager to get first pickings at available items.

This was the first ever Craft Supply Swap held by Waipā District Libraries, and for a first event the support was encouraging.

Read on

Te Awamutu Events Community Cambridge

Author events in November

Posted on 03 November 2020

We are delighted to showcase three local authors in three separate events in November - Carolyn M King, Oliver McLeod and Scott Bainbridge.

Join Carolyn. M (Kim) King for a presentation on her new book on invasive predators in New Zealand which offers a much-needed insight into one of New Zealand’s longest-running national crises.

Read on

Events Cambridge

Get Active programme continues

Posted on 19 October 2020

Have you been along to one of our FREE Get Active 2020 classes? Or attended a session with one of our partner providers?

It's not too late to start working on an Activity Passport.

There is still a number of FREE classes to attend inhouse and partner providers will be handing out vouchers to new attendees for the duration of the programme.

Read on

Events Community Te Awamutu Cambridge

Library services return to normal

Posted on 22 September 2020

Library services have returned to normal following the move to Level 1.

Normal hours have resumed with the return of late nights on Wednesdays and Fridays. On Saturdays both libraries are open from 9.30am until 1pm.

Computers, printing services, magazines and newspapers are all available again. Books may also now be returned inside the libraries.

Regular children's programmes will return in Term 4.

Read on

Cambridge & Te Awamutu Events

Get Active 2020

Posted on 10 September 2020

Waipā District Libraries Get Active campaign is on again!

We're encouraging Waipā residents to Get Active - with some incentives along the way.

The campaign, Get Active 2020, will run from 14 September to 14 November.

You can collect an activity passport from your library from Friday 11 September.

Read on

Events Cambridge & Te Awamutu

Programmes, events and hours update

Posted on 04 September 2020

The Government has announced that the current alert levels will remain in place until at least 11.59pm on Wednesday 16 September.

A number of library events had previously been rescheduled and our inhouse children's programmes have been on hold. Our opening hours have also been restricted.

Our libraries will now reopen on a Saturday from Saturday 12 September, 9.30am to 1pm.

Read on

Library events rescheduled

Posted on 28 August 2020

A number of library events have been currently rescheduled on the assumption that the Waikato will move to Alert Level 1 at 11.59pm on Sunday 6 September.

These include Film Club nights, Art Therapy Workshops for Children and the Kim King author talk on Invasive Predators in New Zealand. 

We are also pleased to announce new events including Make Give Live, a Beekeeper talk and details of our Get Active campaign for 2020.

Read on

Events

Alert Level 2 conditions

Posted on 12 August 2020

The Waikato Region is now at Alert Level 2. Our libraries are open but with restrictions in place.

This affects our opening hours (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday only) and our programmes will also be affected. There will be no Toddler Time, Wriggle n Rhyme or Makerspace until Alert Level 1.

No events will take place until further notice. This affects Film Nights currently scheduled and may affect other forthcoming events.

Read on

Cambridge & Te Awamutu Community

Regular programmes return for Term 3

Posted on 17 July 2020

We are pleased to announce that regular programming returns after the school holidays. This means the return of our weekly children's programmes:

Wriggle & Rhyme - Tuesdays 10.30am-11am
Toddler Time - Thursdays 10.30am-11am
Makerspace - Tuesdays/Thursdays 3.30-4.30pm

Read on

Family interest Cambridge & Te Awamutu

School holiday activities and events

Posted on 02 July 2020

The theme for the School Holiday programme in July is Winter Warmers!

This is a virtual programme that families can do at home or away. Some inhouse events are also taking place.

Packs can be collected at either library while stocks last. A few basic supplies from home will be needed but the packs contain instructions (with daily videos on Facebook and YouTube available at 10.30am) and most of the materials needed to do the activities.

Read on

Cambridge & Te Awamutu Family interest Events

Normal hours and services return

Posted on 16 June 2020

Opening hours at our Cambridge and Te Awamutu libraries have returned to normal.

Patrons can enjoy the convenience of late nights on both Wednesday and Friday (open until 8pm). Saturday mornings have also returned which operate from 9.30am until 1pm.

Read on

Cambridge & Te Awamutu

Services return from 15 June

Posted on 09 June 2020

We are now in Level 1 and our libraries are preparing to return to normal business hours from Monday 15 June!

Amongst other things this is to allow time for library furniture to be returned to normal, computers to be tested for use and items for browsing to be rearranged. We are working on returning services such as newspapers and magazines as soon as possible.

Read on

Cambridge & Te Awamutu

Libraries reopen

Posted on 25 May 2020

After being closed for nine weeks our Waipā District Council’s libraries are now open (from Monday 25 May).

It has been a busy time for staff during the closure. As well as cataloguing and processing numerous new books, staff have been able to stocktake each of our collections.

While we will be open to patrons, our top priority is to ensure your safety and the safety of our staff so we ask that you work with us and adhere to restrictions which will be in place.

Read on

Te Awamutu Cambridge Community

Libraries prepare for opening during Level 2

Posted on 13 May 2020

New Zealand is now at Alert Level 2 and our Waipā District Council’s libraries are preparing to reopen. Our libraries will reopen at Alert Level 2 in stages.

We’re excited to announce we will be opening our doors to patrons from Monday 25 May. Some services will be available from Monday 18 May.

Our top priority during this time will be ensuring your safety and the safety of our staff so we ask that you work with us and adhere to restrictions which will be in place.

Read on

Te Awamutu Cambridge Community

Celebrate the music from New Zealand

Posted on 05 May 2020

It’s May, which is NZ Music Month, a celebration of music from New Zealand, and the people who make it.

We’re celebrating Level 3 style with a Songs in Lockdown Contest and an opportunity to learn to sing through the Zoom event, Discover your Voice.

Read on

Te Awamutu Cambridge Events

eResource boom during lockdown

Posted on 21 April 2020

Waipā Libraries has experienced a boom in eResource loans since entering lockdown.

The increase is not unexpected. With the number of avid readers in Waipā, it was not going to take long before readers were looking for options online.

Waipā District Council announced that eResources would attract no charge and this and the need for continued reading material has sparked the boom.

Read on

Te Awamutu Cambridge

Library activities at home

Posted on 01 April 2020

While reading is always a great option in these challenging times, there is a range of other options available through our library pages when you need a bit of a break.

If you enjoyed our Heritage month, why not listen to one of our growing list of podcasts?

Read on

Waipā libraries to offer free electronic resources to residents

Posted on 26 March 2020

Waipā residents searching for a good book to read over the next four weeks will now have free access to adult and children’s eBooks and eAudiobooks.

Waipā District Libraries has removed fees on its electronic resources, or e-resources, for the duration of the nationwide lockdown in an effort to help make isolation restrictions more bearable.

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Libraries closed until further notice

Posted on 23 March 2020

Following the prime minister’s announcement that New Zealand is now at COVID-19 Alert Level 2, Waipā District Council’s libraries will be closed effective Monday 23 March.

The move comes as a precaution to slow the spread of COVID-19 by promoting social distancing where possible.

The Te Awamutu and Cambridge libraries will be closed until further notice. ​

Read on

Te Awamutu Cambridge

Mystery in the library

Posted on 11 March 2020

The 2020 Mystery in the library series is coming to Te Awamutu! This will be the first year the annual event has been held in the Te Awamutu Library.

Join four criminally minded storytellers from the Waikato and Bay of Plenty for an evening of mirth and mystery at 'Blood among the Blooms'.

Update (17 March): Event postponed until further notice.

Read on

Te Awamutu Events

Art with books competition

Posted on 09 March 2020

Book art by Elizabeth Sagan has inspired our Art with Books competition which is being run during Author Month this March.

For more information on how to enter to access a selection of Sagan's inspiring work read on.

Read on

Te Awamutu Cambridge Events Competitions

Author month continues

Posted on 09 March 2020

Author month opened with a bang with Get Published! by Ocean Reeve Publishing last week. The seminars on the book publishing industry were held in both Cambridge and Te Awamutu in front of highly appreciative audiences.

Next week younger audiences will be entertained by Sharon Holt and her Te Reo Singalong Show and in late March Trudi Caffell and Julie Thomas will be sharing their knowledge at events in Cambridge. There's also our 'Art with Books' competition.

Read on

Cambridge Te Awamutu Events Family interest

What's on March!

Posted on 27 February 2020

Following a highly successful Heritage month, March focuses on authors and publishing.

Ocean Reeve Publishing is coming to Waipā prior to releasing Lisa Tamati's new book. Our libraries will be hosting the free 2 hour seminars in both locations.

Local authors will share their knowledge at two workshops and for younger audiences there will be a Te Reo Singalong Show!

Read on

Events Cambridge & Te Awamutu Family interest

Plough of the Pakeha presentation to close Heritage Month

Posted on 21 February 2020

A successful month of Heritage related events will come to a conclusion next week with a presentation on the story of the first ten years of Cambridge as a township by Roger Gordon (Waipa District Councillor and Cambridge Historical Society) and Greg Gascoigne (farmer and Rotarian).

The presentation references Plough of the Pakeha, A Cambridge Regional History by Eric Beer and Alwyn Gascoigne (Greg's father).

All welcome Cambridge Library, Tuesday 25 February at 6.30pm.

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Cambridge Events

Heritage month launch

Posted on 04 February 2020

February 2020 is Heritage month for Waipā District Libraries.

We celebrate Waipā's rich heritage with a number of events scheduled throughout the month in both library locations.

Opening Heritage month is a presentation by Historians Alan Hall and Sandra Metcalfe about the development of Te Awamutu through some of the town's heritage commercial buildings (the result of three years' research).

Read on

Te Awamutu Cambridge Events

Heritage Month

Posted on 16 January 2020

February 2020 is Heritage month for Waipa District Libraries.

Two highlights for Heritage Month will be the Cambridge Central Heritage Walk and the Te Awamutu Central Heritage Walk. Presentations will be made by Alan Hall, Roger Gordon and Greg Gascoigne, Te Awamutu Museum, Cambridge Museum and the NZ Remembrance Army.

Read on

Te Awamutu Cambridge Community Events Cambridge & Te Awamutu

Best Reads 2019 - Librarians' Choice

Posted on 31 December 2019

This year’s list of Best Reads according to our Librarian's choices is many and varied.

Non-fiction items were as popular this year as fiction items. The year of publication also varies widely.

Read on

Book awards and reviews

Most popular reads for 2019

Posted on 05 December 2019

Books by Lucinda Riley, Lee Child, JD Robb/Nora Roberts, Jeff Kinney, John Flanagan and Keto diet books feature heavily on this year's list of most popular items according to issues.

'Becoming' by Michelle Obama was the most popular non-fiction book, coming in with twice as many issues as the next most popular, 'The note through the wire' by Doug Gold.

Read on

New library card designs

Posted on 14 November 2019

Library users will have four new library cards to choose from as we head into the New Year.

Waipa District Libraries ran a Library Design Competition in early November as part of Website Launch Week, which celebrated the libraries’ eagerly awaited new website.

Read on

Cambridge & Te Awamutu Events