News Release 

Friday 14 May 2010  

Library swaps books with Japanese sister city

ROTORUA 14.05.10:  Rotorua District Library’s Japanese collection has received a welcome boost through a book exchange with Beppu State Library.

The exchange between the two sister cities’ libraries was an initiative to further the relationship between Rotorua and Beppu, to raise the city’s profile in Beppu, and to enhance the library’s Japanese book collection.

Rotorua District Library information & community services librarian Bev Emmerson says she is delighted with the approximately 200 books received which include a “very nice selection” of children’s and adults’ books, non-fiction sets, and single fiction volumes.

“Our Japanese collection was quite modest with maybe 500 books, many of which had been donated by Japanese students in Rotorua on English language courses.

“We’ve now received quite an attractive collection from Beppu State Library, and I’m sure our many Japanese readers will be as pleased with the new additions as we are.”

Staff at Rotorua District Library are now in the process of cataloguing the books before they are put out on shelves, and arranging for the Rotorua collection to be sent to Beppu.

Ms Emmerson says not all books being sent to Beppu are about Rotorua or New Zealand, with many being examples of what Kiwis read recreationally.

“If this venture proves successful I’ll consider a book exchange with our Chinese sister city, Wuzhong District of Suzhou City, as our Chinese collection could certainly use some new blood.

“We have, however, received two small grants for this purpose from the Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust administered by Department of Internal Affairs and these funds will be put to good use.”

[ENDS]

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