Gonville Library's tenth birthday

Published on 21 August 2019

The Queen of Hearts, a.k.a. Children's Librarian Becky Stanley, invites kids to dress up as their favourite book character for the party

Gonville Library – along with its co-tenant and community partner Gonville Health – is gearing up to celebrate its tenth birthday. Everyone is welcome to join the celebration at the Gonville Centre, 44 Abbot Street, on Saturday, 31 August at 2.00pm.

Children are invited to dress up as their favourite book character, with prizes for the best dressed. There will be a free sausage sizzle, free vegetarian sandwiches, children’s entertainment and a birthday cake. The library will stay open through the afternoon, with hot drinks and snacks available for purchase from the counter as usual.

Whanganui District Library Frontline Services Manager, Nicholas Keene, says this is an opportunity to acknowledge all those who have invested their time and expertise into the success of the Centre and to discuss hopes and plans for the future.

Mr Keene says the Gonville Library is a special place. ”For ten years this small library has been providing locals with access to the latest books, audiobooks and magazines, as well as a welcoming environment for locals to meet and groups to come together.

“More than half a million visits and a quarter of a million books issued tells its own story,” Mr Keene says.

The library has been undergoing refurbishment in the past year, with a new front counter, shelving and furniture. Some features remain the same though – notably the expansive table, formerly Waitotara County Council’s meeting table, resurrected from a Council store when the Gonville Library was built.

“We have taken a thoughtful approach to the renovation, where we have updated the look but kept the things people love, such as the popular table,” Mr Keene says.

The manager of Gonville Library, Kat Schroyens, says she loves nothing more than “seeing book and games clubs rubbing shoulders with knitting groups and Tai Chi practitioners, with the smell of great coffee always in the air”.

Ms Schroyens says she is always looking for new ways for the Gonville Library to benefit the community. Library staff have recently been trained to sign families up for Spark Jump affordable internet and are also facilitating workshops that help people better understand how to use online banking and recognise and avoid online scams.

The Gonville Library will be open as usual from 10.00am on Saturday 31 August and the party will kick off at 2.00pm.