“My dad was a big reader, and in the last two years before he went fully blind, large print books meant he could keep doing what he loved. I’m really excited that these two books will now be available to our community so more people can keep reading and learning about our history.”

So said Don Farmer, reflecting on why the launch of two new large print books is particularly meaningful for him.

From the end of March, two new large print non-fiction titles, Farmer’s own Walking Back to Happiness and Trials of the Valley, by Wairarapa Archive Local Heritage Specialist Mark Pacey, will be available at Masterton District Library. They follow the large print editions of Wairarapa Stories (2024) and Our New Zealand Home (2025), continuing a growing commitment to accessible local history.

The new publications were made possible through a grant from Masterton Trust Lands Trust (MTLT), long-time supporters of Masterton District Library and its work to make reading and learning more accessible for the whole community.

“Masterton is the envy of other libraries because we are building a collection of large print non-fiction, a genre publishers often overlook because it is not a big money maker,” Pacey said. “This is not about profit. It is about ensuring everyone in our community, regardless of their visual needs, can read about our past.”

Pacey added that he hopes Masterton’s leadership will inspire others. “Being the first to do something is a privilege, but the real win is if more organisations follow suit and more large print non-fiction becomes available.”

MTLT Chair Christine Brewster said life-long learning was at the heart of the Trust’s work.

“That’s why we’re proud to support Masterton District Library in expanding access to non-fiction through large-print. It means stories from our past will be available for everyone to enjoy.”

Pacey said it was an hour to share stories with a wider audience through the new editions.

“Don and I are storytellers who love our history. History is for everyone, and I want to acknowledge and thank those at MTLT, as well as Library Manager Tiffany Rawlings, whose support and advocacy have made this possible,” he said.

Both books, Walking Back to Happiness, a memoir of Farmer’s life growing up in Greytown in the 1950s and Trials of the Valley, a collection of 50 stories of Wairarapa disasters, will be available at Masterton District Library from the end of March.

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