Connecting the Dots... Public Libraries Supporting Little Libraries to Promote Early Childhood Literacy

When the Values Trust launched its Little Libraries initiative in 2024 to place a carefully selected collection of 20 children's picture books by award winning New Zealand authors mounted on attractive plywood stands in Early Childhood Centres across Aotearoa, Public Libraries New Zealand (PLNZ) moved to support and promote this outstanding initiative.

The vision of the Little Libraries initiative is to improve access to quality children's books in English and te Reo for young children and their whānau, and to foster the enjoyment of reading that lasts a lifetime.

PLNZ has sought to complement and support this vision by alerting the public library service in every community that receives a Little Library to make contact with the Early Childhood Centres to ensure that children and their carers are aware of the how to join and use the local public library and to ensure that children have access to more resources to continue their lifelong reading journey.

With 98% of New Zealand public libraries now fine free for children and youth members, a previous economic barrier to using the local public library has now been removed.

PLNZ is delighted to support the Little Libraries initiative by the Values Trust to foster a love for reading by young children and their whānau.

Written by Bernie Hawke, PLNZ Executive Director