What's on
The South Island's inaugural Children's Book Festival, Ignition 2018 is about to take off - three huge days over the first weekend of November, filled with stories, books, magical performances and presentations, bees, dogs, sea lions and pigs! New books to launch and old favourites to fall in love with all over again. Join the conversation about literacy and the love of books for children. Dunedin Public Libraries' City of Readers Children's Summer Reading Programme is also about to hit the road - join the hunt for the Wildebus on the special summer bookbus tour, and discover new ways to share great reads with our member's-only booklet and special events. Plus, release your inner Burns with our annual Robert Burns Poetry Competitions, and there's still time to visit the Reed Gallery's last exhibition of 2018, celebrating 125 years of women's suffrage with a celebration of New Zealand women writers.
We're all about kicking back and enjoying a long summer filled with time to relax and read.
Exhibition
Reed Gallery Exhibition: Voices and Votes - A Tribute to Women's Suffrage
The latest Reed Gallery Exhibition is an opportunity for Dunedin Public Libraries’ Heritage Collections to pay tribute to 125 years of New Zealand women’s suffrage.
The exhibition showcases early women writers and other creative women of the times to complement the story of the women’s suffrage movement, as well as texts relating to the suffrage movement itself, and a range of books pertaining to persons or organisations involved in the suffrage movement.
Reed Gallery, 3rd Floor, Dunedin City Library, Until 2nd December 2018
Competitions
Two poetry competitions inspired by the works of Robert Burns, (one for teenagers, one for adults) presented by Dunedin Public Libraries in partnership with Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature, Dunedin Burns Club, the University of Otago Centre for Irish and Scottish Studies, the Otago Daily Times, and with the generous support of the Dunedin-Edinburgh Sister City Society, The Otago Scottish Heritage Association and the Dunedin Public Libraries Association (Friends of the Library).
RAP LIKE ROBBIE FOR TEENS
Write some Robert Burns-inspired poetry and score yourself $500, generously sponsored by the Dunedin-Edinburgh Sister City Society. You can write about whatever you like, in English or you can have a go at writing in Scots. It can be any style – just read a bit of Burns’ work and see where it takes you!
This competition is open to all Otago high schools years 9-11.
UNESCO DUNEDIN CITY OF LITERATURE ROBERT BURNS POETRY COMPETITION
This international competition is for adult published or unpublished poets. Cash prizes for first place winners in each of the two categories are generously sponsored by the Otago Scottish Heritage Council and the Dunedin Public Libraries Association. The brief is to write a poem in English or Scots, inspired by the life or works of Robert Burns.
Winners of all competitions will be announced and presented with prizes on Robert Burns' birthday, 25 January 2017.
Entry forms from any Dunedin Public Library, or enter online
Competitions close Friday 30th November 2018
ROBERT BURNS PRIZEGIVING
Join us for readings of the winning poems and presentation of the prizes for the Robert Burns Poetry and Rap Like Robbie competitions.
Presented by Dunedin Public Libraries in partnership with Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature, Dunedin Burns Club, University of Otago Department of Irish and Scottish Studies, and the Otago Daily Times. Cash prizes generously sponsored by the Dunedin-Edinburgh Sister City Society, the Otago Scottish Heritage Council, and the Dunedin Public Libraries Association. With thanks to our judges 2017/18 Burns Fellow Rhian Gallagher, and poet Elena Poletti (Adult competition), writer Donna Young and poet Jilly O’Brien (Teen competition).
Friday 25th January, 5pm
Dunningham Suite, 4th Floor, Dunedin City Library
Talk
AGING SUCCESSFULLY TALK SERIES: DR YORAM BARAK
Dr Yoram Barak returns to City Library for another series of talks this spring. In this last talk of the series, Yoram will be sharing his considerable experience and research in discussing how to age successfully, exploring different perspectives of aging: what we lose as we age, what changes for us, and what we gain as we grow older. These insights are used to develop a strategy for aging well and aging happily. Associate Professor of the University of Otago’s Department of Psychological Medicine, Dr Barak’s talks are warm, humorous, thought-provoking and uplifting. Throughout his presentation, he draws on the scientific community’s latest findings in a way that is accessible and thoroughly engaging.
Thursday 1st November, 5.30pm, Dunningham Suite, Dunedin City Library
Children's Literature
IGNITION CHILDRENS BOOK FESTIVAL 2018
Three days of stories, magic and books, as the Ignition Kids Book Festival launches. Fire up your kid's imagination and join the discussion about children's literature and literacy in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Presented by Ignition Kids – a partnership between Dunedin Public Libraries and University Book Shop Otago, with the support of Dunedin Public Art Gallery
See the full programme for details, or call in to any Dunedin Public Library or the University Book Shop Otago.
FRIDAY 2ND - SUNDAY 4TH NOVEMBER
VENUES THROUGHOUT DUNEDIN CITY
CONTINUED SENSE OF WONDER: BEYOND THE PAGE
Join us for the last gathering of the Continued Sense of Wonder team for 2018, bringing together a select group of Dunedin-based children's publishers, literary agents and editors to reveal the hidden world of children's publishing. Bring a question you need answered, and continue the adult conversation about children's books.
Booking Essential: jackie.mcmillan@dcc.govt.nz
Wednesday 14th November 7pm (reception at 6.30pm), Dunningham Suite, 4th Floor, Dunedin City Library
CHILDREN'S SUMMER READING PROGRAMME: CITY OF READERS
Dunedin Public Libraries' Summer Reading Programme for children begins on 1st December, and continues throughout the summer to maintain reading skills and the love of books during the long school holidays. Kids can take their reading booklets with them no matter where they are travelling and enjoy the activities and challenges, all carefully designed to improve their literacy skills while having fun.
Register at any Dunedin Public Library: registrations open 1st December and continue throughout December and January. Special events in January for all City of Readers members, including book clubs, Build-a-City day, and a high-tech day with drones, 3D printers and more!
Closing date 3rd February
Children’s Summer Reading Programme activity days:
Put these dates in your diary – great fun activities to keep the kids occupied in the school holidays. Part of the City of Readers Summer Reading Programme, exclusive fun for all children registered with the programme who have read a minimum of five books:
Make-It! – Wednesday 9th January, all Dunedin Libraries
Read-It! – Friday 18th January, all Dunedin Libraries
Imagine-It! – week commencing 21st January, all Dunedin Libraries
Welcome Home Prizegiving Party – Sunday 10th February, Dunedin City Library