Tag: library

Picture this

There was a book due back to the library today and another to pick up by today so, after putting the washing on the line, I walked into town. By the time I was walking home again, I decided what I’d experienced was a sensory walk of sights, sounds, and smells…

No photos were taken, but I can picture it all (well, most of it).

What I saw: A long, twisting branch on a weeping elm. A row of people sitting cross-legged on a long bench with their hands in prayer position and eyes closed. The tempting covers of books on the Recent Returns shelves. Posters of a white dove with olive branch on the synagogue gate. A white waxy flower yet to open on a magnolia tree. White clouds against the blue sky.

What I heard: It was comparatively quiet with less traffic so the sound of the walk buzzer seemed extra loud. The rumble and clack of the Invercargill tram. Water splashing in a fountain. People saying hello in passing.

What I smelt: A dark, rich odour from the organics rubbish truck. The hot tar on the pavement. The cool fresh scent of a shading tree.

What I felt: The sudden coolness under a huge leafy tree. The weight of my backpack. The hot sun making my skin prickle with sweat.

What I tasted: Cool clean water from a drinking fountain.

Most of all, I thought about the huge trees which gave me shade. Under them I sensed unappreciated power in their change of atmosphere.

Tūranga – a place for people

Margaret Mahy’s house at Governor’s Bay wasn’t able to be saved as a writers’ centre, but it is heartening to see that her extensive collection of children’s literature is safe at Tūranga, our central library. It is on the second level which houses New Zealand reference collections and Pasifika and Māori collections, archives and research facilities. It is next to a small exhibition space.

I noticed a little house on the stairs and found more in the Sanctuary exhibition featuring work by young artists exploring ‘the power of creativity for wellbeing, set within a cosy living room space’.

On the fourth level there is an exhibition organised by the Ardour Charitable Trust one of the aims of which is to “strengthen the multiple ethnic groups’ ties with local communities”. It is “managed and operated by a team of four Asian mothers” according to the information board.

Cat and tiger themed paintings by LiYing Cai

Perhaps because of the Bird of the Century competition, there are bird shapes on the ends of some shelves which fit with the bird mural.

Fantail on kōwhai branch
Kerurū

Tūranga is a vibrant and interesting place with something to see on every level, in every sense. Creatively curated collections of books catch the eye at the top of stairs and in corners. As I went down the stairs I saw below, on the ground floor, large tables for people playing board games and doing jigsaws, and a colourful selection of knitting yarn, crochet hooks and knitting needles there to use. There is a diverse range of people using the library and it is humming with activity. For me, Tūranga is the heart of the city.

A toast to books!

These cold rainy days are perfect for reading by the fire. Today I braved the cold and walked to the library to return six books which I had finished and walked home with five more. Before I begin those, however, I have started a book about Katherine Mansfield’s childhood. It’s a hard cover book with lots of illustrations and a ribbon. No map at the front but there’s a watercolour painting of Wellington Harbour 1894 on the end papers. The Matariki book in the photo beside the library books is perfect to read at this time of year because it is Matariki. Mānawatia a Matariki! (Celebrate Matariki, the Māori New Year.) Each day is getting longer. Soon I’ll be back out in the garden and probably not reading as much.

The library was full of children and was a joyous place to be. Moreover, I ran into a woman from my watercolour painting class and we sat and talked over coffee in the Foundation cafe.

What kept a grin on my face all afternoon, and even now, was something which happened before I left home. I had soup and toast by the fire which I put aside to sweep up some firewood detritus from the carpet. I put my soup on the hearth and my plate of toast on my chair and yes, you guessed it, forgot it was there and sat on it. There was a corduroy pattern in the butter. Can’t think why I find it so funny.