new website launch

http://www.aotearoapeoplesnetwork.org/

Ancestry.com – Library Edition

Has any APN library who subscribes to ancestry.com noticed that their monthly statistics are considerably down? We seem to just be recording those “sessions” and “searches” that we show people from our Information Desk,  and not those that people do themselves on the APN computers.

Very Happy Customer

To the staff at the Manaia Library I would like to thank them for the assistance in creating an email address. I have found having an email saves forty dollars by not having to have a phone line at home and not having to have a Internet provider which i figured is a saving of  a considerable amount  of money if one is on a invalids benefit.  Also being a member of the library club has its benefits as i found out on our vists to Patea upon looking at their notice board was a notice informing ex Patea Freezing workers that they may be entitled to un claimed monies from a superannuation scheme that started just before the works demise On returning to Manaia i used the library Internet to pursue the claim to find if i may have had a entitlement.After five weeks i had a six hundred and sixty seven dollar payout  paid into my account. if i had not gone down to Patea on that  trip i would have been none the wiser  and the money would have probably gone in the Goverment coffers.    So again to the staff a big thank you

(name removed at customers request.)

Expotential growth of visitors at STDC

The impact of the Aotearoa People’s Network has been huge and shows most of all in the door counts for each LibraryPlus facility. There have been an extra 34,170 people through the doors compared to last year. This has not only impacted on the internet use, it has brought customers into the library that we have been trying to reach for several years.

Youth have now found that libraries can be cool places to hang out. They have learnt that they do have to modify their behaviour and attitudes but then they discover that there are interesting magazines and books to read. Staff have noticed that while they may not take out the books they read them and enjoy lounging in the seating areas and chilling out with friends. Other people coming in have seen books that they want to read and have subsequently joined the library and bolstered issues.

Lynne of South Taranaki District

Visit to Picton

I have just had the pleasure of passing through Picton Library and was very impressed with their APN setup. Love the way they have two APN computers in the Young Adult section. The YA corner looks really impressive with bean bags and is tucked away so the teenagers can feel like they have their own ‘possie’.

The APN Computers were busy even though it was still fairly early. Had the chance for a brief chat and it was interesting to compare notes. Lovely library, great staff.

12 days of Christmas

By Cath Sheard
RLIANZA – Customer Services Librarian

On the twelfth day of Christmas

My true love sent to me

Twelve bloggers blogging

Eleven cellphones ringing

Ten rappers rapping

Nine tourists skype-ing

Eight teens Bebo-ing

Seven people waiting

Six well-used webcams

Five HP laptops

Four new Navmans

Three oldies emailing

Two tired librarians

And APN in an STDC library!

APN in Children’s Area

It has been great to see how the new APN computers are helping out young parents. One dad recently was able to choose books while his son spoke to his mother on skype on the nearby computer. he was able to tell her all about the book his dad was about to read to him. It was so sweet to see!

The computers have really brought this area alive with children and young adults using the facilities.

Chrissy, Tasman District Library

Comments from Hamilton City Libraries APN customers

Well over 500 people a day are using APN across our 6 libraries. Wifi use is also increasing.
Here’s a few customer comments:

Benjamin said.. “I came to the library without being aware that a free internet service was available. I have used this service in addition to reading in the library. I think it is an excellent service.”

Stefan .. “I’m new in Hamilton just flew in from Germany and have no internet available in the hostel. Using the library internet connection to talk to home makes the start in New Zealand much easier.”

Anil .. “The service provided by the Hamilton Library is excellent. I am currently doing an online course and I have been using the resource everyday, and it has helped me to a great extent saving lots of money. The staff are doing a great job with the newly introduced facility.”

Susan .. “Thanks for asking. When I arrived in Hamilton about 2 months ago I was looking for a place to read. I liked the message outside the library and while reading here I found out about the free internet and used it mainly to keep in touch with family and friends and also to look for advertisements. I like the discipline of using it for just half an hour and how friendly the staff are. I haven’t tried learning anything new. Didn’t know I could Skype. It has been helpful that it is free and a quiet place to email.”

Helping the public

I have been finding that increasingly I am out at the APN computers helping people. Whilst I love this and see it as an extension of my other job (IT Network Support for CHB District Council) I am interested to know what other libraries are doing regarding this.

I have a growing number of elderly coming in and having sessions with me and these can take up to half my day. It is not so much a case of sending them to FAQs as it is not so much the mechanics they want to know about but the possiblilites.

I run regulated sessions already but it is the increasing amount of one off help sessions that take the time.

Do any other libraries run orientation sessions on APN and or help sessions?

Ngai

CHB District Libraries

Successes Because of the APN

The group of young kids who have terrorised the staff since the APN arrived at Carterton have been back these holidays!!! Of course with only four APN PC’s and over a dozen of these youngsters to amuse while they wait their turn the staff have been challenged to occupy rather than brush off this new class of library user.

The result? One 9 year old who struggles with numbers and cannot read at all is now learning some basic texts and sorting out his numbers with the assistance of a staff member in 30 minute bursts – and actually enjoying it.

Another group of 10-12 year old girls have sat together working on art works (with a few resources and some staff encouragement) which they will enter in a regional art competition.

A local Councillor has observed this first hand and is now working with the library to raise the money for our first playstation to provide further outlets for this group.

This group of kids has also been a useful source of volunteer shelving labour at the end of the day.

Meanwhile all these kids are maintaining there own Bebo sites, playing games and YouTube videos. Their interactions are becoming more and more positive; with each other, with staff and with other library users. Staff are being drawn more into their world which is also proving interesting as we seek more ways to help them integrate with our community in more positive ways.

Ewan Hyde, Carterton