Book club discussions break silence

Librarians Diane Taggart and Gaye Tyer started up a popular book club three years ago.

Librarians Diane Taggart and Gaye Tyer started up a popular book club three years ago.

A book club that caters to all sorts of tastes has sprung up in the downtown Tauranga Library.

It was started by librarians Gaye Tyer and Diane Taggart and is in its third year.

Sharing new discoveries with others kept members interested and engaged, she says.

"The whole library collection is opened up to them as readers change their tastes and try new things."

Members also get the first pick of some of the recent library selections, and DVDs and audiobooks are just as likely to be talked about as books.

The theme for this year has been "read your way around the world," she says.

The next meeting is May 21 and New Zealand would be under the spotlight.

The group meets in the library in Tauranga and there are also groups at Papamoa and Mount Maunganui Libraries.

"With lively discussions going on in the libraries, it is not surprising they are no longer quiet places."

Customer services team leader Joanna Thomas says the calendar for what's happening this month includes author talks, JP and Maori Land Court clinics and a card making class.

"Add to that free wifi in all the libraries now and it's a real meeting place where regular users mix in with visitors who make the library their first port of call when they get to Tauranga."

Joanna is interested to hear from people or groups who want to run short, free seminars in the libraries.

"It could be a way to promote your creative art, class or community service," she says.