Two unusual guests dropped by Tupu Youth Library on Thursday. The Project hosts Jesse Mulligan and Kanoa Lloyd took time from their busy schedules to hang out with the kids for an afternoon.
The pair spoke at Tupu’s 'Living Legends' sessions which bring in different speakers from creative industries – artists, musicians, writers and designers to chat about their lives and career journeys.
Jesse and Kanoa offered up personal stories and insights into how they became presenters of a television show. Jesse admitted he was a bit of a nerd at school and loved showing off, Kanoa chatted about all her different jobs before getting to TV – including working at a library!
“Though this is definitely the coolest, busiest library I’ve seen,” Kanoa says. “The ones I went to growing up were nothing like this!”
They offered a few tips about life – Jesse talked about the importance of persevering through failure and as a writer, said the key was to read, read, read as much as you can!
Kanoa said a massive thing was to take every and any opportunity that comes your way and not worry about being popular – what’s important is having a few people you can truly trust and who know you. Plus, books make good friends as well!
The visit came after Tupu Youth manager Richard Misilei appeared on Jesse’s RNZ show to chat about how he became involved in libraries and his work at Tupu – Jesse was inspired so he came along to experience Tupu for himself.
Tupu is the only youth library in New Zealand, with the majority of its services aimed at under 18s, and opened in response to the community speaking up about youth needing a space of their own. The library runs a whole range of events and services, from music gigs to after-school programmes; homework help, author talks and ‘living legends' sessions with artists and musicians, there’s always something on.
Find out more information here and on the Facebook page.
