Kids who read succeed, says National Library

National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mâtauranga o Aotearoa

MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday 2 October 2003

Kids who read succeed, says National Library

Literacy, libraries and learning will be potent ingredients for an information society in Manakau City, National Librarian, Penny Carnaby, said today in Auckland.

“Kids who read succeed,” Ms Carnaby, who is also chief executive of the National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mâtauranga o Aotearoa, said.

Ms Carnaby was in Manukau City to sign an official Memorandum of Understanding with Manakau City Council, formalising a collaborative relationship that will see both organisations working to improve literacy and learning in Manukau City school libraries and public libraries.

“This is the first time the National Library has established a formal relationship with a local authority’s public library service to support a community, and we’re delighted about that,” she said.

National Library staff in Auckland have already been working with Manukau City Library staff to trial an information literacy programme for students in Kura Maori, supporting educational achievement, increasing student opportunities to access resources, and building skills.

“We know that libraries are central to learning, that public libraries and the National Library provide excellent services. We know also that Manukau City already has superb libraries that are innovative, responsive, and close to the needs of the communities, “ Ms Carnaby said.

“Making a commitment to work together to achieve our common goals for the people of Manukau City makes us a powerful combination,” Ms Carnaby said. “Literacy, libraries, and learning will be potent ingredients for an information society in Manukau.”

While in Manukau Ms Carnaby also attended the official opening of Learn.net at the Manurewa Library. “The learning centre Learn.net further illustrates the go ahead nature of Manukau City,” she said.

Manukau Libraries manager, Chris Szekely, also recently appointed to the new government Library and Information Advisory Commission (LIAC), said Manukau City Council had a strong vision for the future and had developed a strategy to take Manukau to the year 2011.

“This vision includes people proud of their successes and their good education – confident they can achieve their aspirations and enjoy a variety of lifestyles in harmony, good health and safety,” Mr Szekely said.

“We see prosperous people enriched by the diversity of cultures, the beauty of the environment, the strong economy and the wealth of opportunities. Collaboration, co-operation and communication with the National Library is an important step towards achieving this”.

ENDS

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