One of many stunning kites at Matariki Kite Day 2015
Matariki 2021 Each year, the winter stars of Matariki signal the arrival of the Māori New Year. Traditionally, the rise of Matariki was a sign to ensure food crops had been harvested and the storehouses were well-stocked for the coming year. Nowadays, Matariki has become a time of revitalisation and resurgence of te reo Māori and mātauranga Māori. Matariki is an opportunity to reflect and celebrate our history and make plans for the future. In doing so, we acknowledge our traditions, language and culture, which together give us a sense of who we are. Tauranga City Libraries joined the renaissance of Matariki in 2005 and 16 years later we’re proud to be celebrating Matariki once again by taking part in the citywide celebrations. We are particularly excited about Matariki Kite Day which will be taking place at Fergusson Park on Sunday, 4 July. Matariki Kite Day was first introduced to the Tauranga Moana Matariki
Cover Image: Stephen Hofmann, Summer holiday, Mt. Maunganui, 1957, by Frank Hofmann. Gift of the Frank Hofmann Estate, 2016. Te Papa (A.022788)
programme in 2015 and quickly became one of its most beloved events. Bad weather forced the cancellation of the 2019 event and COVID the 2020 event, so it’s return this year is much anticipated. “The spectacle of seeing these huge kites towering over Fergusson Park is always a thrill”, says Daniel Petersen, marketing co-ordinator for Tauranga City Libraries. “I also love seeing family kites proudly flying in amongst all of the bigger ones while sitting on the grass and eating lots”. That’s right, the annual kite day is attended by a range of local food trucks so you won’t go hungry while you watch the kites! To see the full Tauranga Moana Matariki 2021 programme, visit: www.mymatariki.co.nz Matariki Kite Day 2021 Sunday, 4 July, from 12noon–4pm Fergusson Park
April Fooled
The BIG Issue!
April Fool's Day is well past us at this point but given the overwhelming response to our April Fool’s Day Facebook post, we thought an explanation was in order.
In every edition of The Library Book we’ll be asking our staff members to weigh in on the must-ask questions that weigh heavily on every book lover's mind.
At 6am on Thursday, 1 April, we announced that from now on all titles in our libraries would be shelved by colour, something that had been requested by the odd library patron over the years. We thought that it was a cute-enough attempt at making April fools of ourselves, but little did we know… we think it’s fair to say it ‘blew up’!
This time, we asked:
The post rocketed around the social media stratosphere, reaching more than 250,000 people on Facebook alone and attracting more than 50,000 engagements. Thankfully, most responses were from people who realised we were (luckily) just joking, many offered tongue-in-cheek twists on our idea and some libraries from around the world even imitated our joke and sent us the results! Of those who didn’t realise that it was all a joke, most were very passionately opposed to the idea, much to our appreciation (getting rid of the Dewey Decimal? Sacrilege!). Curiously, there was a surprising level of support for our colour-coordination plans too. We suppose it would be quite pretty...
Paperback?
… or Hardback?
36%
24%
Yes, with 36% of the vote, paperbacks have proven more popular than hardbacks—just. Controversially, a whopping 40% of respondents indicated that they didn’t have a preference, which wasn’t really in the spirit of the endeavour. We’ll make it clear when we email out our next poll question that this is a high-stakes, winner-takesall sort of a deal—no fence sitting will be allowed. You have our word. Here are some of the more thoughtful responses we received: I prefer hardbacks for history books that involve diving back-and-forth between text and notes. Other non-fiction and fiction I don’t mind what format I read it in; if I’m going to keep it for re-reading (ha!), I would buy hardback if possible. – Leslie I prefer a paperback for when I'm out and about because they are lighter and can sometimes even fit in my handbag. Very useful if your company is boring; just pull out your book and *BAM!* instant entertainment! Note: some people consider this rude. – Mishka I like to read a lot of books at once, so definitely paperbacks are lighter to carry for me, but there's also nothing nicer than going home with a new hardcover book. So that's a hard question to answer. I think I am just in love with all books! – Julie
The Badsey Connection
Above: Tauranga City Libraries Image 00-177: Bernard Sladden (left) on board his launch "Severn". c. 1940.
It all started with a box of uncatalogued stuff: gelatin prints, glass plates, lantern slides, and negatives. The box was labelled 'Bernard Sladden'—a name the library’s Heritage and Research Team know well. When Sladden’s books were placed under the care of then Tauranga Public Library, shortly after his death in 1961, it was the beginning of our heritage and research collections. Basically, our team might not be here if it wasn’t for Bernard!
all the offshore islands in the Bay of Plenty, in 1932. Hiding among the gulls and islets was a set of images taken in Europe, which we don’t think were taken by Sladden, but were possibly collected out of interest or for a talk. This makes sense because Sladden served with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force between 1916 and 1918. It was this collection of images that acted as a springboard to discovering the ‘Badsey connection’.
While we knew the provenance of the items, the content was a mystery. Fortunately for us, it was one that was easy to solve through describing and digitising the images. Work like this gives our team the wonderful opportunity to understand the library archive better and to get to know local people from the past and present.
Being contemporary researchers, our first instinct was to Google “Bernard Sladden and WW1” (apologies to all the other wonderful libraryresources at our fingertips!). The search directed us to the Badsey Society’s website, where we were amazed to find a collection of letters from Bernard Sladden to his uncle, Julius Sladden, written during the First World War. A quick browse through the website informed us there were two branches of the Sladden family: one in the UK and another in New Zealand. This explained why some papers had ended up in Worcestershire and others in Tauranga.
In Bernard’s case, we discovered he was a huge fan of photographing coastal scenes. This makes sense given he was appointed honorary ranger for Motuotau Island, near Mount Maunganui, in 1928, and was gazetted inspector, with responsibility for
Above: Patsy and Anthony Miller with their son, Jonathan Miller, playing the part of his great-greatuncle, Private Bernard Sladden of New Zealand Above: Tauranga City Libraries Image bs-540: Group of soldiers and motor vehicle in square. Noted with file: B.57 Y.M.C.A. Party at the Louvre, Paris.
The Past and the Curious With Sladden being such a significant part of our collections, we decided to reach out to the Badsey Society to find out more. Maureen Spinks, the chairman, replied with helpful historical information, as well as details of a rather special performance: You might be amused to know that Bernard featured in a performance we put on in 2017 when extracts from the Sladden letters were read. The part of Bernard was played by his great-great-nephew, Jonathan Miller. No problems guessing which one he is in these photos! Jonathan’s mother, Patsy (nee Sladden), managed to borrow a ‘wide-awake’ hat from someone at the New Zealand High Commission. The fact that Bernard Sladden’s descendants continue to remember and celebrate his life demonstrates what a remarkable person he was. Of course, our team could be biased—again, without his bequest, we might not have our jobs! If you’d like to make up your own mind, why not look through his images, which were recently made available on Pae Korokī: Tauranga archives online (paekoroki.tauranga.govt.nz). You can also learn more about the Badsey connection by visiting badseysociety.uk. You’ll be excited to hear we’re currently digitising his personal papers (Ms 33), and these will go online in the coming months—watch this space!
Upcoming show-and-tell talks at Tauranga Library: Tauranga Bond Store at No. 1 The Strand Wednesday, 2 June at 1.15pm Have you ever happened upon the Tauranga Bond Store, sitting at the top end of the Strand, beneath the Monmouth Redoubt? It is actually the oldest remaining commercial building in Tauranga and a reminder of a time when Tauranga was heavily dependent on its port for freight. Join us as one of our heritage specialists takes you through a collection from the Guinness Brothers, a prominent Tauranga family who owned the store throughout most of the 20th Century and discover why this store has such significance in Tauranga Moana’s history. Tauranga War Memorial Gates 1921-2021 Wednesday, 7 July at 1.15pm In the lead up to the centenary of the Tauranga War Memorial Gates, join Fiona Kean from the Tauranga Heritage Collection as she discusses the characters and conflict behind their construction and reveals the stories of the soldiers who appear – and don't appear – on its columns. There will also be an opportunity for you to share your ideas on how the centenary could be commemorated.
Regular Events at Tauranga City Libraries Children & Teens
Book Chat On the 3rd Wednesday of each month 10.30-11.30am and 5.30-6.30pm
Tamariki me nga Rangatahi Kids Book Squad On the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month 3.30-4.30pm
Tauranga Library
On the 4th Tuesday of each month 10am-11am
Tauranga Library
Mount Maunganui Library
Greerton Draw Squad On the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month 3.30-4.30pm
iti Pounamu (Toddler Time) Tuesdays at 10.30am
Greerton Library
Wednesdays at 10.30am
Registration required. Visit: www.library.tauranga.govt.nz
Mauao Draw Squad On the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month 3.30-4.30pm
Tauranga Library
On the 3rd Monday of each month 10.30am-11.30am Greerton Library
Pāpāmoa Library
Wednesdays at 10.30am Greerton Library
Thursdays at 9.30am and 10.30am Mount Maunganui Library
Mount Maunganui Library Registration required. Visit: www.library.tauranga.govt.nz
Adults Pakeke Adult Colouring Clubs On the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month 10.30-11.30am Tauranga Library
On the 3rd Thursday of the month 10.30-11.30am The Hang Out (for teens) On the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month 4-5pm Pāpāmoa Library
Pāpāmoa Library
CV Typing Sessions Days and times vary Tauranga, Greerton, Pāpāmoa and Mount Maunganui Libraries Registration required. Visit: www.library.tauranga.govt.nz or call 07 577 7177
For more information visit: library.tauranga.govt.nz/whats-on Friends of the Library General Meeting On the 4th Thursday of the month 10am Location varies
Genealogy at the Library On the 2nd Tuesday of the month 10am–12noon
Knit & Knatter Tuesdays 1pm
Greerton Library
Wednesdays 1pm
Pāpāmoa Library
Wednesdays 2pm
Mount Maunganui Library
Registration required. Visit: www.library.tauranga.govt.nz
JP Services Tuesdays 11am-1pm
Wednesdays 10am-12noon Pāpāmoa Library
Fridays 12noon-2pm Tauranga Library
11.30am-1.30pm Mount Maunganui Library
2-4pm Greerton Library
Wednesdays (times vary) Mount Maunganui Library Thursdays (times vary)
Pāpāmoa Library
Pāpāmoa Library
Greerton Library
Tauranga Library
Fridays (times vary)
On the 4th Friday of the month 10am-12 noon
2.30-4.30pm
Individual Lessons Mondays (times vary)
Greerton Library
Tauranga Library
Mount Maunganui Library
Digital Learning Ako Hangarau
The Past & the Curious On the 1st Wednesday of the month 1:15-2pm Tauranga Library
Stepping Up Classes Mondays 1-3pm Tauranga Library Thursdays 10-12pm Pāpāmoa Library Registration required. Visit: www.library.tauranga.govt.nz/learning
Tech Hour Mondays 3.30-4.30pm Tauranga Library
Thursdays 3.30-4.30pm Greerton Library
Fridays 3.30-4.30pm Pāpāmoa Library Registration required. Visit: www.library.tauranga.govt.nz/learning
What We’re Reading Here’s a selection of books and DVDs that we highly recommend. Keen to talk books? There's a book club at each Tauranga City Library! Tauranga Library 3rd Wednesday of each month 10–11am or 5.30–6.30pm
Emma
A Deadly Education Novel by Naomi Novik
Heather
Sister Dear Novel by Hannah Mary McKinnon
Mount Maunganui Library 4th Tuesday of each month 10–11am
Sharon
The Eighty-Dollar Champion Novel by Elizabeth
Paul
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe Novel by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Pāpāmoa Library
Greerton Library
1st Thursday of each month 10.30-11.30am
3rd Monday of each month 10.30–11.30am
Jody
Farm for Life Book by Tangaroa Walker
Kay
The Convict Girls Series by Deborah Challinor
René
Girl, Woman, Other Novel by Bernardine Evaristo
Lisa
The Name of the Wind Novel by Patrick Rothfuss
Leslie
Farthing Novel by Jo Walton
Alison
The Soul of a Woman Novel by Isabel Allende
Lauren
The Mirror Man Novel by Jane Gilmartin
Tori
House of Earth and Blood Novel by Sarah J. Maas
Mishka
Talking to Strangers Novel by Malcolm Gladwell
Michelle
Sapiens Book by Yuval Noah Harari
Nicole
Hanna
Daniel
The Long Call Novel by Ann Cleeves
Beatrix Bakes Book by Natalie Paull
Say Nothing Book by Patrick Radden Keefe
Julie
Me, According to the History of Art Book by Dick Frizzell
Joanna Oh
Period: It's About Bloody Time Book by Emma Barnett
Fiona
The Ratline Book by Philippe Sands
Beamafilm Film Reviews Beamafilm allows you to stream over a thousand movies and documentaries for free—all you need is a Tauranga City Libraries membership and access to the internet. For more information: www.library.tauranga.govt.nz/digital-library/streaming/beamafilm
who clearly knows that he’s at the end of his life – and is putting in a very deliberate, touching swansong performance – and legendary auteur filmmaker David Lynch, (Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, Twin Peaks) in a supporting role.
Lucky (2017) Harry Dean Stanton
Thankfully, he’s mostly up to the task. The film is a little uneven in places but it’s also brimming with character and truly original, just like Mr Stranton himself. Harry Dean Stanton died, aged 91, the same year Lucky was released marking a strange confluence of fiction and reality that couldn’t have been a more fitting farewell to somebody who spent his life in movies and always included more of himself than most in his roles.
Cult favourite character actor Harry Dean Stanton (Cool Hand Luke, The Godfather Part II, Alien) starred in the lead role of just two films over his long and varied career, Wim Wenders’ Paris, Texas (1984) and Lucky (2017), his final film. In both movies Harry Dean Stanton turns in career-best performances, remaining largely silent and relying mostly on his lined face to embody loners that were, in reality, strikingly similar to the man himself. Lucky is about a navy veteran quietly in search of enlightenment after a medical incident makes clear that his sedentary days of chain smoking and drinking against the weather-beaten backdrop of middle America won’t last forever. It’s a bittersweet meditation on mortality filled with bizarre characters and charming interactions that are simple and, yet, life-affirming. John Carroll Lynch (Fargo) makes a steady directorial debut here, in what must have been a nervous assignment. Directorial debuts are surely always nerve-racking, but imagine it’s your first time behind the camera and your cast features a 90-year-old Harry Dean Stanton
A Hard Day’s Night (1964) Dir. Richard Lester
In A Hard Day’s Night, the Beatles travel from Liverpool to London, stopping for various performances along the way. At some point, Ringo goes missing. It’s a razor-thin plot, to be sure, but it provides the perfect platform for showcasing the famously quick-witted foursome at their pop-perfecting peak. Director Richard Lester brings legitimacy to a project which could easily have become a cash-grab and the results
are a beautifully shot nostalgia trip that’s energetic, wickedly funny and incredibly entertaining. All members of the band prove capable actors (especially Ringo, who is the standout) and their trademark charm, chemistry and candour easily translate to the big screen. As for the soundtrack, well, A Hard Day’s Night is arguably the best album of it’s era. The first Beatles album to feature entirely original compositions, it was largely written in hotel rooms during spare moments between their dominating the UK scene and conquering America, and is a rollicking, 12-string electric guitar-fuelled, fun-filled time. A Hard Day’s Night is a priceless time capsule, perfectly encapsulating a time when pop was at it’s most fun and capturing a Beatlemania-era Britain poised on the brink of radical social change, and it’s a wonderful way to spend an evening in.
Adapted from a minor Jane Austin short epistolary novel, Lady Susan, which was first published more than 70 years after her death, Love & Friendship is a light and snappy story about effervescent but manipulative Lady Susan (Kate Beckinsale) who short-circuits polite society with her devious tactics designed to win the heart of the eligible Reginald De Courcy (Xavier Samuel). This is a very modern-feeling adaptation that uses Jane Austin’s sharp dialogue and creative use of language to great effect. The cast is great all around and in the brilliantly stupid Sir James Martin (Tom Benett) features one of the funniest screen performances of the last decade. In contrast to Jane Austin’s most famous works, there’s nothing profound about Love & Friendship, but that’s okay—there’s nothing profound about a cheese platter and glass of wine either, but it does make for a splendidly perfect snack.
Beamafilm Box Office The titles Tauranga City Libraries users most streamed last month:
Love & Friendship (2016) Kate Beckinsale, Chloë Sevigny
Featuring what is easily Kate Beckinsale’s career-best performance to date, Love & Friendship comes disguised as a strait-laced period drama but is really an outand-out comedy—and a very good one at that.
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Meet Our Business Services Team! Our Business Services team are the engine of Tauranga City Libraries; without them we’d grind to a halt. Our library services are diverse and ever changing – it can be hard keeping track of them all – but if we ever want to know anything, we only need to turn to them. You’ve probably heard their voices over the phone, but we thought it’d be nice to put a face to the voice by profiling the team here in The Library Book. Let’s see how the team responded to our questions! Q. We know you as the the friendly voice of the library for people phoning in, but what other things do you do? A. We answer many email inquiries too, as well as plenty of enquiries from staff. We also manage our interloans requests, book meeting rooms, look after purchasing, library statistics,
library health and safety, administration duties… the list goes on—we perform a very wide variety of tasks. Q. What kinds of things do people phone the library about? A. JP services, interloans, book and card renewals, account enquiries, issues with eBooks, booking in a one-on-one lesson, crossword and puzzle help, library event bookings, rates rebate information, wanting to know where the Mobile Library will be today, readers advisory advice and sometimes they just want to have a friendly chat! Q. Have the types of questions you get changed over time? A. Yes and no; we now receive calls we wouldn’t have been able to answer ten years ago, but the basic calls are still very similar—we can renew your books, place holds and let you know about what’s happening in our libraries.
Our wonderful Business Services team: Kay, Gracie, Lisa and Judy
Q. What’s the most memorable phone call you’ve had?
Q. What three library services or products do you think all our customers should know about?
A. One stand out call was from a customer wanting help answering the question: “how many stories of a building would the height of Mount Maunganui be?”
A. (1) The library app—it’s a great way to be able to borrow our items and for avoiding the dreaded overdue fees; (2) Our website—have a look around and you’ll find there are some amazing free streaming services, a wide range of eBooks and more information than most of us can remember; (3) One-on-one lessons—we offer this service for free if you are wanting to learn how to use any of the digital resources our library offers.
We’re also frequently reminded of the joys of having a semi-similar name to another library— Tūranga in Christchurch. We often have to interject with the question “are you in Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty or are you calling from Christchurch?” while being asked about services that we don’t offer here (yet)!
Q. Finally, what do you like to do when you’re not at work? A. Gardening, reading, family time, a bit of DIY, walking, book clubs, finding pretty gardens, photography, cooking, visiting the gym, streaming a good movie or TV series and, of course, reading!
Left: Tūranga Library in Christchurch. Definitely not Tauranga Library.