Mercury Bay Library offering more than just reading this summer

If you haven’t been to the library in a while, then put it on your things to do list this holiday period. It’s a hub of activity and information for locals and visitors alike.

On holiday and need a book?

There’s nothing quite as relaxing as lying on the beach or beside the pool with a good book. Visitors are welcome to join the library while in the Mercury Bay on holiday. It only takes 5 mins and is very easy. No identification or address needed.

Our top tip for regular visitors or holiday home owners is to keep your library cards at the bach, so you don’t forget them, and so your visiting guests can use them too, with your permission.

Christine Towgood, Library Assistant

Summer school holiday programme

This will be running from January 12th – 28th on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The theme is ‘crafts from around the world’. This is a popular programme and numbers will be limited to approximately 15 – 20 children per session. Please phone the library to book a session. If your plans change, and your child is unable to make the session, do give them a call so another child can participate. Children under 5 will need a parent to stay with them throughout the session.

There are also simple reading challenges running for children and adults until the end of January.

Need a Nerd service

The Mercury Bay Library has recently secured their own ‘nerd’ to help anyone interested in learning about:

• Internet banking – how to use and keep safe online
• Social media apps – such as Snapchat, Facebook messenger & WhatsApp
• Setting up and using e-books
• Designing and formatting CV’s and job applications
• Help setting up your phone or new device
• Or any other tech issue you may need help with.

The service is free on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays between 10am – 1pm, phone to book a time to meet. 

What else can I find at the library in Whitianga?

Books are still the core business of the library, not only the physical sort, but e-books, audiobooks and e-audiobooks too. The staff are friendly and happy to help you find what you need. The library has collections of:

• Signing up at the Mercury Bay Library also gets you access to Thames and Tairua Libraries. You can take books home and return them to any of the three
• NZ Herald and Waikato Times papers are held for the past month. Local newspapers are held longer
• Reference materials
• Magazines
• Local history
• DVDs
• Large print items
• Biographies
• Parenting materials
• Special children’s and teen sections.

Regular clubs at the library

• Toddler Time – Monday 10.30-11am (Held during the school term only)
• Brick Construction (Lego) Club – Tuesday 3.30-4.30 pm
• Crochet Club – Thursday 3-4pm
• Genealogy afternoons  featuring the experts from the local branch of the N.Z. Society of Genealogists. Held once a month on the 3rd Tuesday. (during school term only).

Other Mercury Bay library services

• Internet access
• Printing
• Photocopying
• Interloan service from other NZ libraries
• Online library catalogue and reservation system and app
• Ancestry Library collection.

New book donations

Any unwanted, new or near new books, perhaps a Christmas gift, would be gratefully accepted by the library. Please see the team if you think you could have books to donate. Adults and Children’s books would be gratefully accepted, and the library also collects and distributes donations for other smaller Coromandel libraries.

Whitianga Library holiday hours

24th December – Closing at 3pm
25th – 28th December Closed
29th December 10am – 4pm
30th December 9.30am – 4pm
31st December 9am – 4pm
1st – 4th January Closed
5th January 10am – 5pm
6th January return to normal hours.

For contact information please see the Mercury Bay Library page in the related link below.