Library sets challenge for overdue books

Calling all young Guitar Heros with overdue library books - outrock overdues librarian Harley Bell and get your Palmerston North City Library fines waived.

But be warned. When it comes to this popular Playstation game, he fancies himself a star.

The chance to challenge him comes as part of Palmerston North's involvement in National Library Week 2008 which runs from August 18-24 and offers a host of special guests and activities.

Mr Bell's challenge is open to library members aged between 13 and 19 and the "combat" will take place between 4pm and 5pm Monday to Friday in the library's basement youth area.

Details of the songs are given on the website www.citylibrary.pncc.govt.nz

Redemption of sorts is available for older library users too if they are prepared to bring a donation of non-perishable food for the foodbank.

"The conditions are, one non-perishable food item per $5 in overdue fees," said library staff member Lynne McMillan."Please note though that this does not apply to lost and damaged books, or fines currently with our debt collection agency."

Library Week has been held for more than 35 years and is a week-long celebration of libraries and librarianship that takes place in public, school, tertiary and special libraries all over New Zealand.

Palmerston North will co-operate with the other libraries to stage the country's biggest Storytime on Wednesday, August 20.

The libraries will read Manawatu writer Diana Neild's book Piggity-Wiggity Jiggity Jig (scholastic). In Palmerston North guest storyteller Erna Ferry and Riverdale School pupils will perform the tale at the Central Library at 10.30am.

Another guest storyteller, Mark Kilsby, and Ashhurst School pupils will present the same tale at Ashhurst Branch Library between 1.30pm and 3.30pm.

The Palmerston North Library Week programme includes the launch of a stand-up Poetry series on August 20 where budding and experienced poets can read five minutes of their own work aloud as well as listen to guest poets.

It will start at 7pm in the sound and vision section with Helen Lehndorf and will feature guest poet Sean Monaghan.

Ms McMillan said the stand-up poetry event will run monthly until the end of the year. One event unique to Palmerston North during Library Week is a Book Swap starting at 10am on Monday, August 18.

In the Writers Read Series on Friday, August 22, the Library and Massey University's School of English and Media Studies present New Zealand writer, actor, stage manager and lighting designer Martin Edmond. The event will be held on the library's first floor at 7pm.

Saturday, August 23, is bus time with a tour group leaving for Wellington to see the Rita Angus Exhibition at Te Papa.

They will tour the exhibition with Jill Trevelyan, author of Rita Angus: an artist's life, the second book in Palmerston North's Community Reads programme.

Ms McMillan said there was still a limited number of seats available at $35, or a concession rate of $25.