Buller District Libraries expands structured literacy collection

Whānau across Buller now have access to a powerful resource to help their tamariki learn to read through Buller District Libraries.

Both the Sue Thomson Casey Memorial Library in Westport and the Inangahua County Library based at the Reefton Visitor and Service Centre have acquired the complete sets of Little Learners Love Literacy® books.

This series offers an evidence-based approach to reading that aligns with structured literacy methods currently used in New Zealand schools. The collection is designed to support not only local schools but also homeschooling families and the parents of struggling or new readers.

The journey towards making this collection available in Buller began five years ago when Library Manager Nicky Meadowcroft noticed a gap. Parents were searching for the right books to help their children learn to read, but the resources available at the time weren’t meeting their needs.

At the same time, Nicky’s own children were facing reading difficulties and were later diagnosed with dyslexia, which led her to explore effective, research-backed teaching methods.

Mrs Meadowcroft says: “This search led me to structured literacy: a teaching approach which is explicit, systematic, and sequential. When my child’s school provided this method, the results were transformative.

During this process, I discovered the Little Learners Love Literacy® books through Liz Kane’s website—engaging, step-by-step resources designed to build confident readers. After consulting with local schools, the library team saw the potential impact these books could have on Buller families” says Mrs Meadowcroft.

After two years of dedicated effort, the full collection of Little Learners Love Literacy® books is now available, marking a milestone in the library’s commitment to literacy support. As schools increasingly embrace structured literacy, Buller District Libraries are proud to offer parents and educators the tools to help every child succeed.

The existing collection caters for new readers and the library is now working on expanding its collection to support older children who may have gaps in their reading, with new resources expected to be available later this year.

For further information, visit Buller District Libraries and have a look through the literacy packs or send an email to library@bdc.govt.nz.

-ENDS-

For further information please contact:
Community Engagement Team
Buller District Council
Media.Enquiries@bdc.govt.nz