The Friends Reading Group:
As you will be well aware, The Friends offer a wide range of member events throughout the year. Whether the focus of these events is in the area of arts or science, there are many opportunities for members to come along, participate and learn more about the wide range of subject matter on offer through, or by association with, Te Papa itself or from other related sources. Last year we offered approximately 40 member events in and around Wellington as well as 13 tour events that went further afield (including some overseas tours).
The majority of Friends events tend to have an educational focus – providing new information and experiences to members and aiding member understanding of specific topics. The take-up rate on such events has historically been strong and we expect that level of member support and engagement will continue into the future.
But we recognise that the many Friends members may also be looking out for opportunities to meet in community with others in a setting where the main focus is on meaningful social contact with other members through shared experiences and discussion. Something a little less action-oriented, which offers members to opportunity to get together in a relationship-focused environment.
With this in mind, the Friends have recently introduced an additional and differently-styled event to our broad range of member activities – the Friends Reading Group. This is a new twist on the well-known and well-loved community book clubs, and held within the walls of Te Papa. The primary aim of this group is to provide a place where people can come and enjoy a community gathering in a safe and supportive environment with little or no expectations or required interaction, other than to become familiar with and enjoy some great books.
And in the context of The Friends’ main operating purpose, which is to support and promote Te Papa and its activities, we anticipate that the Reading Group will help to build a stronger Te Papa community by connecting people through great literature. As well as developing their own knowledge and awareness of New Zealand history, members will also become more familiar with the many facets of Te Papa and advantages of the Friends membership.
There will be a varied range of books presented at the Reading Group for review and discussion. The twice monthly meetings will alternate between new releases from Te Papa Press (this will usually include an opportunity to meet the author) and a selection of contemporary books curated by Marsden Books, a well-known and respected independent bookseller. Meetings of the Reading Group are held in the Reading Room, which is a controlled museum back-office space available to researchers and the Friends. Each meeting includes a reading and a discussion about the book, followed by a more general bookish discussion.
The Reading Group is a bookable Friends experience and a great opportunity for current members to invite their friends to an exclusive event. Although attendance is free an informal koha is encouraged, and the funds collected from this go toward the purchase of acid free conservation envelopes for the Reading Room. All books discussed at the reading group are available for sale at the event, and Te Papa Press offers a very generous Friends discount to all purchases on the day.
You will find details of the upcoming Reading Group events on the Friends website. The sessions run on the first and third Thursday of the month from 2.00-3.00pm until December 2024, and then will recommence on 6 March, 2025.
Happy Reading!
Richard Dean
President.