UPPER HUTT CITY LIBRARY
POST 2
I am not averse to change/new if it increases benefits for all involved and increases accessability and inclusivity, these changes did neither.
When a change does not do that, and when the change actually does not benefit and also excludes those who had access before, then I am deeply concerned as to whose interests are actually being served?
Libraries have been round for hundreds of years, they got it right the 1st time!
I have spent most of my adult life working to make changes to facilitate inclusive communities and continue to do so, when asked, where there is a clear agreed need, where there is consensus!
Library is a core function of any City Council, it is ratepayer funded for ratepayer use, it should be available and accessible to any and all citizens, members, readers! Ours ceased to be that.
I don't remember the community/Library users being consulted on the changes. I cannot remember anyone ever saying thay couldn't find a book or navigate the Library as it was.
The Libraries that have followed/instituted the “philosophical trend” are a fraction of the overall Libraries in NZ and all are very small and in no way comparable to ours.
I notice that anywhere books are offered bookshops, bookfairs, 2nd hand bookshops, they are all displayed alphbetically and in genre!
Lower Hutt Libraries are all old school, sectioned in genre and with lovley clear pictorial icons on the spines also indicating genre. I have only ½ an hour when I am there, I come out with 10-12 books. I used to be able to choose 9 a week at Upper Hutt Library.
In a busy society, most households now go out to work, and everyone is time poor, to have to spend precious time wandering about trying to find your genre in the Library, when it is arranged solely alphabetically is a nightmare for many of us.
There are many among us that have/suffer recognised sensory difficulties of one sort or another, my understanding is that it was a distressing experience for many to try to navigate the “philosophical Trend”
So while I respect that there are some people out there that liked the new setup, I am one of those many, who found my Library confusing,frustrating and time consuming and virtually inaccessible.
Remeber the Mayor, Council and Librians serve us! They should reflect our wishes for our community/rates, not theirs.
Poll: Have you ever had a scary flight?
A plane flying from Christchurch to Wellington on Sunday had smoke billowing out of the engine and upon landing, passengers had to open the emergency exit and jump out. Have you had any scary flying experiences?
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56.5% Yes!
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43.5% No, it's always been smooth flying
ALEXANDER ROAD SPEED LIMIT
Alexander Road in Trentham-Wallaceville of which 50% separates a golf course from a military encampment enclosure and the rest has mostly high fenced off industrial and residential areas on both sides, should have a 70km speed restriction.
Only a short time ago the road had a 80km restriction and was reduced to a pedestrian 50km much to the frustration of many. It has never been an accident prone stretch of road.
The several round-abouts ensure speed is reduced to 30-40km when these things occur.
I recently stayed a few days in Feilding - often given the title of the best town in NZ - and one of the lengthy main streets has a 70km speed restriction despite a predominance of unfenced residential properties on both sides.
LIVE Q&A: Financial well-being with Cat Rikihana
Today (Wednesday) we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with Cat Rikihana who is a financial mentor, educator and financial capability practitioner at Financial Freedom Trust in the Manawatū.
Cat Rikihana (Ngai Tahu) like many financial mentors around Aotearoa, works with individuals, groups and whānau to successfully navigate financial stress and hardship. Mentors work alongside whānau to increase confidence and skills in personal money management and advocate with and for clients. Cat enjoys delivering online and face-to-face workshops which provide opportunities to normalise money conversations and encourages people to make time to consider their financial well-being.
Cat is also an independent financial well-being coach, educator and indigenous life coach at Restore Wellness Network. She is a published writer and currently in the process of writing her first non-fiction book: 'A financial self-care guide for women in Aotearoa.'
She'd love to answer any questions you may have around your budgeting and spending habits, strategies for saving, retirement planning and debt. (Don't be shy, but be mindful about what you disclose!)
↓ Share your questions now and Cat will reply to your comment below ↓
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