#LoveYourLibrary
“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero
There’s something quietly magical about a library… the promise of discovery, the comfort of familiar shelves, and the thrill of finding something unexpected.
Love Your Library Month is a national campaign celebrated throughout February, recognising the vital role public libraries play in community wellbeing across Aotearoa. It’s a time to share stories and highlight the many ways libraries support learning, digital access, and connection.
Manawatū Community Hub Libraries (MCHL) marked the occasion from 1–14 February, inviting the community to rediscover that magic through creative and engaging activities. Blind Date with a Book encouraged readers to take a chance on a mystery read, while the collaborative Poem Wall brought community voices together in a shared celebration of words.
As Community Hub Libraries Manager Robyn Ballard says, “Libraries are a haven away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life… places where you can focus, surrounded by like-minded people with a desire to acquire knowledge.”
Beyond books, MCHL at Te Āhuru Mōwai offers digital resources, community programmes, and Open Plus access creating a safe, inclusive space to learn and connect. Across the wider Manawatū District, volunteer run community libraries continue to warmly welcome locals and provide essential resources.
This Valentine’s Day, we celebrate not just romantic love, but the love of reading, the love of learning, and the love of community. Libraries are places where curiosity is nurtured, friendships are formed, and stories are shared.
Drop in and help us celebrate the places that bring us together – one story at a time.
MCHL Love Your Library | 1–14 February.