Our Services
Internet Access and Electronic Resources
The Waitomo District Library is a partner of the Aotearoa People's Network Kaharoa (APNK). The Aotearoa People’s Network Kaharoa provides free access to broadband internet services in Public Libraries, so that all New Zealanders can benefit from creating, accessing and experiencing digital content. It is funded by the Community Partnership Fund of New Zealand’s Digital Strategy and other Government funding through the National Library of New Zealand.
Waitomo District Library has four computers available for use. A Wifi Hotspot is available free of charge during opening hours. Customers can have up to 30 minutes free internet access per day. This time can be used for word-processing, research, skype or internet browsing. Terms and Conditions of use apply.
The Waitomo District Library provides electronic resources by subscribing to the EPIC suite. The database includes Encyclopaedia Britannica, Oxford English Dictionary, medical information, a vast array of journal articles and Ancestry.com.
Through EPIC; Public, Education, Research and Special libraries have joined together to buy collective access to tens of thousands of electronic resources. EPIC has approximately 16,000 full text titles available, along with tens of thousands of biographies, newswires, photographs and graphics, and much more.
Please note that before accessing these databases you must read and agree to the conditions of use. By entering these databases you are agreeing with these terms and conditions.
Explore the EPIC databases
Genealogy
In partnership with the Te Kuiti Branch of NZSG, the Waitomo District Library hosts a number of genealogy workshops throughout the year. If you would like to know more contact the Library Team or look out for advertised events.
Ancestry.com is available within the Waitomo District Library.
Outreach/Homebound Service
The Waitomo District Library provides a free Community Outreach/Homebound service to customers living in Te Kuiti who are unable to visit the Library due to illness. A Library Team member will select books on your behalf and deliver them to your home. When books are delivered any items needed to be returned will be collected. You may be eligible if you have a physical inability to leave your home or extreme physical difficulty in carrying books home.
Conditions of the service:
- Proof of an existing medical condition may be required (e.g. a doctor’s certificate).
- In the case of a temporary illness/incapacity, the Housebound Service may be available, for the duration of the illness/incapacity if you fit the eligibility guidelines above.
- Rural residents can order books via the "Books by Mail" service.
Coffee and Cake Book Group
Each month the Waitomo District Library Team host a Book Club. The group meets and discuss a wide variety of topics and books. Topics discussed range from books to films, romance, good kiwi yarns and anything in between. The group is very informal and always looking for fellow booklovers to come along.
Tots n Tales – Story Time and Craft Session
During the school term on Wednesday mornings Waitomo District Library holds a preschool story time. The session runs from 10.30am. Preschoolers and parents are welcome to come along for stories and a simple craft activity.
School Holiday Programmes
During the year the Waitomo District Library offers a variety of holiday programmes. Over the summer holidays, the Summer Reading Programme is held. Children read over the holidays, then come and share their stories with one of the Library Team and receive incentives and encouragement to keep reading. At the end of the programme a celebration party is held and all the children dress up!
Over the past two years during Winter the Waitomo District Library has offered a Winter Warmers programme where children read a number of books and fill in book reviews. This programme has been very successful and has also been adapted and offered to adults and teens.
During school holidays the Waitomo District Library creates holiday packs with activities, crafts and reading lists. These packs are available to children who visit the Library and issue 2 books. The packs are limited so be in quick, availability will be notified on our webpage.
Interloans
If an item or topic you want is not held by Waitomo District Library you may try to request it via interloan from another library within New Zealand. You can request an Interloan item if you are a registered customer of Waitomo District Library and by;
- Discussing your request with a member of the Library Team; or
- Emailing the details of your request to the library library@waitomo.govt.nz
Interloan charges range from $5.00 to $20.00 for books, depending on the charges of the lending library. This charge is payable on collection of the item. The arrival time of your request will depend on its availability, this is usually around 10 days. A member of the Library Team will phone you as soon as it is ready. Your loan time will usually be 3 weeks, but the lending library may specify a shorter time and/or other special conditions.
Photocopying and Faxing
The Waitomo District Library offers a photocopying and faxing service. We can photocopying A4 or A3 in colour or black and white (Fees and charges apply).
For further information on any of these services please contact the Waitomo District Library Team (07) 878 1028.