Pop-Up Libraries West Auckland

Nova from Henderson

I am Nova Gibson, the librarian at Massey Primary School. In mid-2016 while participating in a course through the National Library, we were asked to identify a literacy need and come up with a plan to mitigate that need. Teachers of Year 1 children are concerned about low oracy in their students, and conversations with students and parents revealed many barriers to using the public library. I have always loved the idea of free pop-up libraries and thought that installing these around the neighbourhood would address some literacy/oracy issues. Five pre-schools were approached and I offered them a container of books each. The staff only have to encourage the parents to borrow the books, read with their children and let me know when stocks run low. There are also five re-purposed fridges filled with books for passers-by to borrow. These 'fridges' are in the Massey area outside the houses of people I know who love books and help maintain stocks and tidiness.
Two people are on the 'waiting list' and would love a pop-up library.
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If I were successful in receiving a grant, I would be able to buy more paint and decals/logos for the fridges. Each fridge costs about $60 to 'fix-up'. Dead freezers/fridges are sourced and stripped of the motor, wiring and other unnecessary components, a lot of which goes to metal recycling. This saves them going to the landfill. They are then made watertight and safe (the suction disabled) and painted. Decals are added if available/affordable.
I purchase books from op-shops or the sale trolley at public libraries and distribute them as needed. If I were to get some funding I would spend more money on books. The money spent at Hospice Shops and Salvation Army Shops goes on to do more good in the community.
I believe I am doing my little bit to prevent crime, as I believe literacy is key to getting an education and a decent job, lessening the need to commit crimes.
The people hosting the pop-up libraries have talked to me about conversations about books with neighbours, kids going together to choose books and in one cul-de-sac it's drawn the kids together. I have teamed up with Massey Matters and we are working together to install more pop-up libraries in strategic places.