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Ignition Kids Book Festival
 
Photo by www.ignitionkids.nz

What's on

Kay Mercer —

It's all in the mind: Brain Week, National Poetry Day, and two poetry competitions.

School Holiday Activities

There are activities at all Dunedin Public Libraries over the school holidays. Check the events page of our website for details, or call in at your local library. Here’s a selection:

Meet Your Brain Library Tour
Get in touch with your inner self by exploring the brain and all the wonderful things it does. Presented by the New Zealand Neurological Foundation, there are multiple ‘labs’ for kids and families to explore.
Monday 8th July – City Library, 11am-12pm & 1pm-2pm
Tuesday 9th July – South Dunedin Library, 11.30am-12.30pm | Mosgiel Library 1.30pm-2.30pm
Wednesday 10th July – Waikouaiti (Events Centre), 11am-12pm| Blueskin Bay Library (Waitati Hall), 1-2pm
Thursday 11th July – Port Chalmers Library, 11am-12pm
Bring the family and get your brain around the brain this holiday!


Talks

Visions for Dunedin: Our Heritage, Our Future
In partnership with Southern Heritage Trust, Dunedin Public Libraries is pleased to host a series of inspirational talks throughout the year, exploring visions of Dunedin’s past and present and, perhaps more importantly, our visions for its future.
Tuesday 20th August, 6pm, Dunningham Suite, 4th Floor, City Library


Meet Your Brain: Brain Week Public Talks and Events at Dunedin City Library
Join us for two key public talks, updating you on current research findings

Batten's Disease: Wednesday 10th July, 6.30pm  - Associate Professor Stephanie Hughes will be speaking about her research
Parkinson's Disease: Thursday 11th July, 6.30pm  - Professor John Reynolds will be speaking about his research into Parkinson’s Disease
BOOKING ESSENTIAL

Dunningham Suite, 4th Floor, Dunedin City Library, 230 Moray Place, Dunedin


Community Expo

Meet Your Brain: Community Expo Day
Information on brain-related issues provided by local organisations and professionals, including: Stroke Otago | Alzeimers Otago | Brain Injury Association Otago | Multiple Sclerosis Otago | Dr David Coulter

Wednesday 11th July, 1pm - 4pm
Dunningham Suite, 4th Floor, Dunedin City Library, 230 Moray Place, Dunedin


National Poetry Day 2019

Poets in Space: Readings of New Works by Dunedin Poets Responding to Local Spaces and Places
In partnership with the Otago-Southland NZ Society of Authors, Dunedin Public Libraries invites you to celebrate National Poetry Day at our annual gala event. Eight esteemed poets have been charged with writing new works in response to local locations. These new works will be presented for the first time on National Poetry Day. Featuring: Lynley Edmeades | Sally McIntyre | Shereen Asha Murugayah | Adam Stewart | Susan Wardell | Claire Lacey | Jessica Thompson | Molly Crichton
Join us for music, drinks and nibbles at 5.30pm before the main event!
Friday 23rd August, Dunningham Suite, 4th Floor, Dunedin City Library
Tickets: $5 - Booking Essential – library@dcc.govt.nz or 03 474 3690


COMPETITIONS

Ignition Children’s Festival: Gobbledegook Poetry Competition for children
Inspired by the delightful nonsense poetry of Joy Cowley, we challenge you to celebrate National Poetry Day by writing your own gobbledegook poem and make our judges laugh. Biggest laugh wins! 

Awesome prizes for your and your school – 1st, 2nd and 3rd places.
Presented by the Ignition Children’s Book Festival – a partnership between University Book Shop Otago and Dunedin Public Libraries.
Competition opens Friday 23rd August – open to all South Island primary/intermediate school children (years 1-8) 
SAVE THE DATE: IGNITION CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL 7TH – 10TH NOVEMBER 2019!

Changing Minds: Memories Lost and Found - a poetry competition for adults
Many people have been affected by dementia, brain injury or degenerative conditions which affect the memory and thought process, either directly or by supporting a family member or friend. These conditions change us, but they also give us access to memories in a different way, that can often inspire us to record our thoughts. Much research has been done in the neurological field evidencing the positive impact of writing and reading poetry on the brain.
Inspired by this, and the poems of Des O’Brien, featured in his collection How Art* we invite you to write a poem about memory or the mind, in response to your experience of dementia or Alzheimer’s.
This competition is presented by Dunedin Public Libraries in partnership with the New Zealand Neurological Foundation, and with the support of Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature, Alzheimer’s Otago, poet Sue Wootton and Dr Yoram Barak, Associate Professor of the Department of Psychological Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago. Thanks also to Des O’Brien and the O’Brien Family.
Entry open to adults aged 18+ 

Enter online  or pick up an entry form from any Dunedin Public Library
Competition opens 1st July
Closing date 23rd August 2019 – National Poetry Day
*
copies of How Art are available to purchase from Alzheimer’s Otago