NZ fiction in library users' good books

POPULAR: Chris Hawker (left), Masterton District Library customer services librarian, and Sandy Green, manager, with The Luminaries, the most reserved book of 2013. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

Wairarapa readers are lapping up Kiwi literature and cookbooks.

New Zealander Eleanor Catton's award-winner, The Luminaries, was the most reserved book at the Masterton District Library in 2013.

"People are far more aware of New Zealand authors, possibly because of the publicity of this book," said Sandy Green, library manager. "It's re-ignited interest in home-grown literature."

She said more library users had been requesting books by Kiwis such as Ngaio Marsh and Barry Crump.

"There's been a growth in the use of more literary fiction and a lot more awareness that we have it."

Non-fiction book issues were down but biographies and autobiographies still remained popular, said customer services-librarian Chris Hawker.

Martinborough resident Jared Gulian's Moon over Martinborough was the second most reserved autobiography in 2013.

Mrs Hawker said issues of Kiwi cookbooks had increased greatly.

"There are a lot more New Zealand cookery books now," she said.

"They are very popular, that's been a change in the last few years."

Of the top five cookery books, all were by Kiwis except for one - British chef Jamie Oliver's 15 Minute Meals.

People were continuing to issue movies and TV series on DVD. Period drama Downton Abbey topped the list of the most reserved DVDs, heading Game of Thrones.

"TV series are really big, especially crime and drama, said Mrs Hawker.

Mrs Green said people were following lists and reviews and asking librarians for recommendations.

Mrs Hawker said more library users recognised staff had the expertise to help them.

"We are not just the people that stand behind the desk and issue books," she said.

The library has been a hive of activity since it opened in the new year with 5000 books issued in under 24 hours.

In 2013, over 200,000 Masterton items were issued through the Library's SMART network, consisting of libraries in the Wellington region.

Mrs Green said since the new website went online in October, visitors to the site had gone up by 30 per cent.

vomle.springford@age.co.nz