In the Media:

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     New data estimates two thirds of schools don't have working libraries. Of around 2500 schools, there are only 56 full-time librarians, and 873 part-time. 

Claudine Crabtree says libraries are crucial, as they encourage children to value reading. "Reading for pleasure has been shown to be the single biggest indicator of a child's future success- more than their family circumstances, their parent's education background and their income." 

10 March 2024

Claudine Crabtree - Library Manager, talking to Hilary Barry and Jeremy Wells on Seven Sharp (TVNZ TV1) about how important school libraries are and why we need more of them in our schools! 

6 March 2024

SLANZA (School Library Association NZ Aotearoa) is worried new schools are being built without libraries, because there's no dedicated funding. Some established ones are also opting to repurpose libraries for classroom space. The Association estimates less than half of New Zealand students across primary, intermediate and secondary education have access to library services. School Library Association president, Trena Lile spoke to Lisa Owen. 

At a time when our literacy rates are declining, Claudine wants to get more kids into libraries, more noses in books and more pages being turned.

The recipient of a Winston Churchill Memorial grant, Claudine has recently returned from a fact-finding mission overseas.

3 April 2025

 Our book reviewer Kate de Goldi is in now - but for a kōrero of a different kind. 

She's the Te Awhi Rito Reading Ambassador and in that mahi has started to ponder more deeply the future of reading and literature.

Up against the challenges of increasingly fragile publishing and bookselling prospects due to the threats of AI - and waning reading rates, she spoke to Susie about the big picture.