FNDC library programme leads the pack

A summer programme for tamariki devised by Far North District Council libraries has proved so successful other councils are getting in on the act.

More than 450 tamariki and families took part in the district-wide programme with youngsters earning taniwha trading cards by completing quests. Twelve of the cards were common but three were rare, sparking a frenzy of activity as participants chased the coveted purple cards.

Created by Ange Simonsen, team leader for Kaitāia and Kāeo libraries, with support from Te Ahu Museum manager Whina Te Whiu, the Raumati Toa/Summer Legends programme will feature in the Library and Information Association of New Zealand (LIANZA) magazine Library Life, discussing the success of the programme and all the great mahi being done in libraries in the Far North.

"The excitement on the kids' faces as they unwrapped a 'rare' [card] was something to behold," says Ange. "We also noticed how siblings were competing and swapping with each other to try to collect a full set – nothing like sibling rivalry to encourage participation."

Quests to earn a taniwha card included borrowing a book, visiting Te Ahu Museum and taking part in the Museum Mystery, attending kids' programmes at the library, chatting with Mayor Kahika Moko Tepania to get a card, visiting a council isite to learn about a local area and snapping a photo of themselves, completing projects in the Creative Makerspace, filling in a reading log, drawing a taniwha, and uploading a photo with their favourite taniwha to social media.

The programme was targeted at children aged between eight and 12, but some youngsters as young as five took part, as well as a few adults who joined in.

"Over Raumati Toa's two-month run, we saw an extensive increase in members of our communities coming into our spaces," says Ange. "This was a complete contrast to previous years, as January and February are generally quieter for us."

Te Ahu Museum reported a 168 per cent increase in numbers during the period.

South Taranaki libraries are currently adapting Raumati Toa to fit with their district and aim to run their own version during the winter.

Main Photo: Mayor Kahika Moko Tepania with some of the youngsters who took part in the successful Raumati Toa summer programme.

Below: One of the quests to earn a card was to draw a taniwha.