Road works - Centennial Park area

Construction work will begin Tuesday 24 June around Centennial Park area to install concrete islands and road line marking. The roads to be marked are: Te Kūiti Road, Park Street, William Street and Ngarongo Road. We ask kindly that this area be kept clear of vehicles and residents do not park on the road for the next couple of days. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Slip on Te Waitere Road – please drive safe

Council is aware of a significant slip on Te Waitere Road. Currently the road is down to one lane with priority give way traffic control in place. Given there is poor weather forecast towards the end of the week, we encourage those needing to pass through this site to be vigilant and drive safely and to the conditions.

Fine-free makes a difference for library membership

4 Sep 2024, 9:21 AM

 

Waitomo District Library staff are celebrating one year of being fine-free for overdue books.

Last year the library joined a nation-wide library movement in removing overdue library fines for books - and it has made a huge difference to membership.

District Librarian Julie O’Toole says the changes reflect what the community have been telling us and it has been well received.

“By removing the fines for overdue books, we’re now in line with many other libraries around the country. It takes away the anxiety for people wanting to use our services,” she says.

“We have seen people return to the library after being absent for some time. It’s so nice to remove that barrier.”

The library also dropped overdue fines for children’s books in 2020 to encourage more children to use the library and recently removed the charge to rent a DVD.

Julie says library services have evolved over time but the ethos remains the same: “we want residents young or old to enjoy reading and the benefits that brings.”

“Whether you’re one or 101, we’ve got something for you at our library. It’s free and so simple to join. Just pop in and chat with one of the Library staff and we can sign you up with a card. Or you can sign up online,” says Julie.

“We’ve got more than 18,000 physical books to choose from, hundreds of eBooks and audiobooks, DVDs and so much more.”