Media Release

19 August 2008

Manukau teens reap rewards for reading

More than 437 teens took part in Manukau Libraries’ annual teen reading programme Manix2.

The six-week programme rewarded young people for reading books of their own choice.  Points were awarded for every book read and these points were used in a giant prize draw for awesome prizes and the chance to attend After Dark celebration parties held at several Manukau Libraries.

With 3 cell phones, MP3 players, cosmetics, hoodies, headphones and lots of graphic novels up for grabs the competition was fierce.

The major prize of a Nokia phone and connection pack was won by fourteen-year-old Katie de Leeuw from Howick.  Katie read 69 books during the programme. 

Manix project co-ordinator Jody Gayton is delighted with the response to Manix2, especially with the increase in participation at Mangere East Library.  “Last year only seven Mangere East teens took part. This year we had 58, with three Mangere East young people taking home some of the big prizes.”

Eighteen-year-old Doreen Whittaker won a Nokia phone, Leatahi Dale aged fifteen won a GO MP3 player and twelve-year-old Herbert Ngatahi won Sony headphones.

More than 200 graphic novels were given away as prizes as well.

This year teens taking part in the programme were given an added bonus. The points they earned could be used to pay off their fines.

Jody says “This proved very popular with cash-strapped teenagers and one girl cleared over $20 worth of fines from her library card. 

“The programme has been very successful with an increase in the number of books issued from all Manukau Libraries’ teen sections during July compared to previous months,” says Jody.

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