Auckland Libraries blog

Karen and Louisa celebrate April Fools' Day with a look at literary hoaxes, from Ossian , an 18th-century Scottish fabrication of a 3rd-century bard, to Go Ask Alice , passed off in the 1970s as the true diary of an off-the-rails teen. Listen to this episode on the Auckland Libraries podcast and read on for the books mentioned in the show. Books and authors mentioned in the show: Ossian’s Fingal 1792 by James Macpherson Go ask Alice by Anonymous The woman in the window by A.J. Finn Forbidden love by Norma Khouri Fragments by Binjamin Wilkomirski Surviving with wolves by Misha Defonseca Go ask Alice by Anonymous Master and Commander by Patrick O’Brian How green was my valley by Richard Llewellyn “ Sonnet CX ” by William Shakespeare  Auckland Libraries' radio show Books and Beyond explores the world of books with guest authors, recommended reads, gems from the Central City Library basement and… beyond. Catch us on Planet FM104.6, Sundays at

Help shape the services and activities our new $21 million Avondale Library and Community Centre will offer, which will, in turn, inform the design process and types of spaces that are available! Whau Local Board Chair, Tracy Mulholland, says that it is important for the Avondale community to have their say. "This facility will be at the heart of the Avondale community, and we want to know how people want to use it. "Over the years the community has told us about the types of things they want to see there, but now is the time to help us build on that feedback with the design process about to begin. "It is really important to us that the connection between the community and this new facility is strong, so we want to hear from as many people as possible during the consultation so that the final facility is well used and enjoyed by everyone." Have your say! Consultation is open now until 26 April and there are a number of ways to contribute your feedback:

Bruce Clarke, Incredible Images, for Urban Hymns, Te Atatu, spring 2018. This week on Books and Beyond, Owen Gill chats with Karen about the ideas in his new book,  Turning Point Auckland: radical policy to prepare Auckland for 2 million people . Listen to this episode on the Auckland Libraries podcast . Te Atatu, at the time the north-western motorway was under construction, Whites Aviation from the Alexander Turnbull Library Collection . Owen is a public policy advocate who has experience in urban services and regulation in New Zealand and Australia. His change agenda aims to ensure that Auckland, where he was born and lives, will embrace three roles: productive city, city of the Pacific and city enjoyed by its population. Auckland Libraries' radio show Books and Beyond explores the world of books with guest authors, recommended reads, gems from the Central City Library basement and… beyond. Catch us on Planet FM104.6, Sundays at 9.35pm. Recent shows can be l

This week we celebrate the success of the children’s picture book,  There's a Tui in our Teapot, with its author Dawn McMillan. Dawn's earlier book, I need a new bum , featured in a video of the famous Scottish Granny reading to her grandchild, now seen by millions. The book is a favourite around the world! Listen to this episode on the Auckland Libraries podcast and read on for the books mentioned in the show. Books by Dawn McMillan: There's a tui in our teapot I need a new bum! Home child: a child migrant in New Zealand Woolly Wally Mister Spears and his hairy ears Doctor Grundy's undies Colour the stars Sea secrets Auckland Libraries' radio show Books and Beyond explores the world of books with guest authors, recommended reads, gems from the Central City Library basement and… beyond. Catch us on Planet FM104.6, Sundays at 9.35pm. Recent shows can be listened to as podcasts via the Auckland Libraries podcast .

Karen chats with bestselling kiwi author, Catherine Robertson, about her new Gabriel's Bay novel What you wish for  and about what Catherine wishes for her readers - interested and varied characters, topical themes and lots of laughs. Listen to this episode on the Auckland Libraries podcast : Catherine's Gabriel's Bay novels are: Gabriel's Bay What you wish for   Auckland Libraries' radio show Books and Beyond explores the world of books with guest authors, recommended reads, gems from the Central City Library basement and… beyond. Catch us on Planet FM104.6, Sundays at 9.35pm. Recent shows can be listened to as podcasts via the Auckland Libraries podcast .

Thank you to everyone who took part in Blind date with a book this year! Everyone who borrowed a book from our Blind Date with a Book displays and filled in an entry card had a chance to win one of two fabulous prizes from Auckland's Cordis Hotel . This year's winners are: Pernille from St Heliers Library, won a  romantics night for two , including a stay in a stylish Deluxe room with late checkout, complimentary valet parking, unlimited movies, plus $100 hotel credits to spend on your choice of dinner, breakfast, minibar or an exquisite High Tea by Cordis.  Pauline from Mahurangi East Library, won a high tea for two in the Lobby Lounge at Auckland's Cordis Hotel. Congratulations to the lucky winners and thank you to the Cordis Hotel Auckland for these great prizes!

Photos compiled by Penny Howard. Happy Pasifika month! On Books and Beyond this week Louisa chats with two poets performing at the upcoming Stars of Pasifika Poetry event at Te Atat ū  Library.   Ria Masae and Doug Poole share their poetry and pride in being able to express their Pacific identity writing and performing poetry. Listen to this week's episode on the Auckland Libraries podcast and read on for the books mentioned in the show. Doug's poetry: Mauri ola: contemporary Polynesian poems in English Niu voices Doug's online journal Ria's poetry: Manifesto Aotearoa: 101 political poems Other Pasifika poetry works mentioned in the show: Everything is here by Rob Heck Entangled Islands by Serie Barford Auckland Libraries' radio show Books and Beyond explores the world of books with guest authors, recommended reads, gems from the Central City Library basement and… beyond. Catch us on Planet FM104.6, Sundays at 9.35pm. Recent s