Mayor Moko stopped into Kaeo Library to share some cards with local tamariki.
Over summer the Far North District Libraries ran their Raumati Toa Summer Legends, a version of the traditional reading programme. Ange Simonsen tells us about this new initiative.
Usually, we would run our summer reading programme the same way as many other libraries in Aotearoa, starting in December and finishing at the end of January. However, we usually get low engagement in December as many families are busy with Christmas preparations and the end of the school year. To change our outcomes, we ran it from January 8 to February 29 this year. Our focus would normally be on reading logs and completion rates, but we changed it to focus on engagement in our awesome spaces, with a bit of reading still included. To make it extra engaging, Raumati Toa was designed as a districtwide programme. This included quests to visit our Far North iSites, Te Ahu Museum and Archives, and even Mayor Moko Tepania joined in the kaupapa by giving out cards to tamariki who managed to find him anywhere in the Far North.
A HUGELY SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMME
The programme proved hugely successful, with over 450 Welcome Packs picked up from libraries across the district. Each Welcome Pack represents a child or family who took part, and while we do not have actual attendee figures, the number is estimated to have exceeded 1,200. This is far higher than our previous engagement over the summer holidays. The programme targeted tamariki aged between 8-12 years. However, we found that tamariki as young as five and rangatahi over 12 years were taking part in the quests – and dads were particularly well represented! Over Raumati Toa’s two-month run, we saw a significant increase in community members coming into our spaces, in complete contrast to previous years. We find that January and February are quieter for us due to the Far North’s great weather and the community being outside enjoying holiday time with whānau. Te Ahu Museum and Archives reported a 168% increase in numbers coming through their space this summer period. And it didn’t end there – new families are joining us as the word spreads that our libraries are welcoming, vibrant spaces where cool free stuff happens!
Usually, we would run our summer reading programme the same way as many other libraries in Aotearoa, starting in December and finishing at the end of January. However, we usually get low engagement in December as many families are busy with Christmas preparations and the end of the school year. To change our outcomes, we ran it from January 8 to February 29 this year. Our focus would normally be on reading logs and completion rates, but we changed it to focus on engagement in our awesome spaces, with a bit of reading still included. To make it extra engaging, Raumati Toa was designed as a districtwide programme. This included quests to visit our Far North iSites, Te Ahu Museum and Archives, and even Mayor Moko Tepania joined in the kaupapa by giving out cards to tamariki who managed to find him anywhere in the Far North.
A HUGELY SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMME
The programme proved hugely successful, with over 450 Welcome Packs picked up from libraries across the district. Each Welcome Pack represents a child or family who took part, and while we do not have actual attendee figures, the number is estimated to have exceeded 1,200. This is far higher than our previous engagement over the summer holidays. The programme targeted tamariki aged between 8-12 years. However, we found that tamariki as young as five and rangatahi over 12 years were taking part in the quests – and dads were particularly well represented! Over Raumati Toa’s two-month run, we saw a significant increase in community members coming into our spaces, in complete contrast to previous years. We find that January and February are quieter for us due to the Far North’s great weather and the community being outside enjoying holiday time with whānau. Te Ahu Museum and Archives reported a 168% increase in numbers coming through their space this summer period. And it didn’t end there – new families are joining us as the word spreads that our libraries are welcoming, vibrant spaces where cool free stuff happens!
HOW THE PROGRAMME WAS DELIVERED
The main goal for the tamariki was to collect a full set of trading cards. There were 15 in total, with cards being either blue or purple, depending on rarity. In total, 3000 cards were printed and each of the cards was enclosed in its own ‘mystery’ envelope to add to the surprise! To collect the cards tamariki had to complete a quest. There were 10 different quests, such as drawing a Taniwha’, visiting an iSite to find out about a local spot, and having a kōrero with the Mayor.
The excitement on the children’s faces as they unwrapped a RARE card was truly special! We also noticed how siblings were competing and swapping with each other to try to collect a full set. Nothing like some sibling rivalry to encourage participation! We held themed programming on myths and legends throughout the holidays and continued this once school returned in February. Any attendance at a library programme meant another card! The Far North Library teams held swap meets as part of our regular after-school programming, where families could participate in the activities and swap their double-ups for the cards they were missing. We found out that we had some tamariki who drove very hard bargains with our staff, which added to everyone’s enjoyment. There are now quite a few complete sets floating around the district with some children popping them into special trading card covers. Conversations were held in the libraries between staff and participants about what they were reading. These were far more informal than the scheduled check-ins and it was far easier to engage with the children and parents in this context as tamariki didn’t feel overwhelmed, pressured, or shy. We had families who travelled around the district to each site to find out what quests could be completed. Feedback from these families has been positive, and the question on all their lips has been, “So… what are you doing next year?” Some of the Tamariki have put forward ideas of their own on what the next set of cards should look like, which we take as a sign we’re clearly onto a winner!
WHAT COULD BE CHANGED
If there was anything we would like to change, it would be the length of time of the programme as it felt like a long run by the end of February. Next year, we would like to trial a six week programme and give a bit more thought at the design stage on collecting data to tell the story of the programme’s achievements and outcomes. One other goal would be a community fun day where a library card could give children free access to a day out that normally might be beyond the reach of some families.
Raumati Toa was devised by Ange Simonsen, Team Leader for Kaitaia and Kaeo Libraries, with support from Whina Te Whiu, Manager for Te Ahu Museum and Archives. Far North District Libraries are happy to share their collateral for this programme with libraries across Aotearoa New Zealand.
The main goal for the tamariki was to collect a full set of trading cards. There were 15 in total, with cards being either blue or purple, depending on rarity. In total, 3000 cards were printed and each of the cards was enclosed in its own ‘mystery’ envelope to add to the surprise! To collect the cards tamariki had to complete a quest. There were 10 different quests, such as drawing a Taniwha’, visiting an iSite to find out about a local spot, and having a kōrero with the Mayor.
The excitement on the children’s faces as they unwrapped a RARE card was truly special! We also noticed how siblings were competing and swapping with each other to try to collect a full set. Nothing like some sibling rivalry to encourage participation! We held themed programming on myths and legends throughout the holidays and continued this once school returned in February. Any attendance at a library programme meant another card! The Far North Library teams held swap meets as part of our regular after-school programming, where families could participate in the activities and swap their double-ups for the cards they were missing. We found out that we had some tamariki who drove very hard bargains with our staff, which added to everyone’s enjoyment. There are now quite a few complete sets floating around the district with some children popping them into special trading card covers. Conversations were held in the libraries between staff and participants about what they were reading. These were far more informal than the scheduled check-ins and it was far easier to engage with the children and parents in this context as tamariki didn’t feel overwhelmed, pressured, or shy. We had families who travelled around the district to each site to find out what quests could be completed. Feedback from these families has been positive, and the question on all their lips has been, “So… what are you doing next year?” Some of the Tamariki have put forward ideas of their own on what the next set of cards should look like, which we take as a sign we’re clearly onto a winner!
WHAT COULD BE CHANGED
If there was anything we would like to change, it would be the length of time of the programme as it felt like a long run by the end of February. Next year, we would like to trial a six week programme and give a bit more thought at the design stage on collecting data to tell the story of the programme’s achievements and outcomes. One other goal would be a community fun day where a library card could give children free access to a day out that normally might be beyond the reach of some families.
Raumati Toa was devised by Ange Simonsen, Team Leader for Kaitaia and Kaeo Libraries, with support from Whina Te Whiu, Manager for Te Ahu Museum and Archives. Far North District Libraries are happy to share their collateral for this programme with libraries across Aotearoa New Zealand.
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