Auckland Libraries blog

A message from Mirla 4 March 2020: Read latest update about Leys Institute Little Library opening date 19 December 2020: Read Leys Institute Library closure announcement and FAQs 31 January 2020 I am pleased to provide you with an update on library services and the Leys Institute Library. Over the holiday period we worked to find an interim solution for the community and today we take over the lease of a retail space at 14 Jervois Rd, Ponsonby, just 100m from the Leys Institute Library. It will take some time to design, convert and fit it out, but we expect to open the 'Leys Little Library' mid-March. When we have a more precise date I will let you know. The footprint is smaller than previous and the Leys team are thinking creatively about how to make the very most of the space available. From library data, we can see the 'hot' parts of the collection that are most used so we can make sure that the most popular genres have lots of fresh content

Get back into the swing of school with Auckland Libraries back to school resources! We have plenty of books, online databases and events to keep kids busy and help them prepare to learn.  Book lists Browse our specially curated book lists for kids and teens. Kids Coding for kids Environmentalism 101 Native animals of New Zealand Myths and legends from NZ and the Pacific Dyslexia friendly reads for kids Reread a childhood favourite Teens Get your study sorted Diverse teen reads Kickstart your teen's reading Dyslexia friendly reads for teens Check out Overdrive's  A little homework help  book list for more eBooks and eAudiobooks to help out with study. Keep browsing  our dozens of book lists for fun reads, interesting facts and much more! Online resources Visit our Homework Help page where we have lots of online resources to help you with your homework or assignments.  Check out these databases for kids and teens: World Book Kids  

The first few sentences of any book are the most important because they have to hook the reader and reel them into the story. In an unscripted, gameshow-style episode, Alison and Karen test each other on some of the best opening lines in literature. Feel free to play along! Listen to this episode on the Auckland Libraries podcast . Books mentioned in the show: The 10 pm question by Kate De Goldi The catcher in the rye by J.D. Salinger Breakfast at Tiffany's: a short novel and three stories by Truman Capote Of mice and men by John Steinbeck The god of small things by Arundhati Roy The English patient: a novel by Michael Ondaatje The member of the wedding by Carson McCullers Where angels fear to tread by E.M. Forster One hundred years of solitude by Gabriel García Márquez The grapes of wrath by John Steinbeck Nausea by Jean-Paul Sartre Auckland Libraries' radio show Books and Beyond explores the world of books with guest authors, recommend

Last year Wendy Lin (Weixi), Ethnic Communities Senior Library Assistant at Manukau Library, launched Chinese eBook and eMagazine workshops to introduce online resources to Chinese speaking Aucklanders. The sessions were an unprecedented success, attracting readers from across Tāmaki Makaurau. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many of our senior customers reporting the sessions helped them become more confident with using technology and library resources like the eBook and eAudiobook app Libby and the Chinese eMagazine database Dragonsource . The average age of attendees was 75, and some were in their nineties, and all were eager to learn - as one attendee assured staff, " I still walk very fast for 90! " Since attending Wendy's sessions, customers have reported downloading 5 - 6 books a day, thanks to the convenience of Auckland Libraries eBook services and Wendy's mentorship and helpful guides. Reading enthusiasts can look forward to more of Wend

On this week’s show, Alison and Karen are still in New Year Resolution mode. They talk about personality traits they would like to acquire in 2020 and take inspiration from some of their favourite books. Listen to this episode on the Auckland Libraries podcast . Books mentioned in the show: Little women by Louisa M. Alcott Fried green tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg Any human heart  by William Boyd The girl with the dragon tattoo by Stieg Larsson Madeline , story and pictures by Ludwig Bemelmans The cat in the hat by by Dr Seuss Charlotte's web by E.B. White The whale rider by Witi Ihimaera Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout 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 .

Congratulations to our Great Summer Read weekly winners! Weekly winners - 19 January - 25 January Paul from Central Library, winner of two tickets to see the   The Miracle Worker , the story of Helen Keller,  thanks to the  Auckland Theatre Company . Karine from Manurewa Library, winner of the New Zealand Maritime Museum family pass to sail on the Ted Ashby heritage scow. Pauline from Manurewa Library, winner of the Specsavers NZ voucher, including an eye examination, two pairs of glasses from any Specsavers range and prescribed lenses (including polarised sunglasses) Phoebe from Glenfield Library, winner of a family pass to MOTAT Ann Marie from Central Library, winner of the book The handmaid’s tale – the graphic novel by Margaret Atwood, art and adaptation by Renee Nault, thanks to Penguin Random House NZ – Jonathan Cape Maiona from Mangere Town Centre Library, winner of two books for children Waddle and A Kiwi year , thanks to Exisle Publishing Amy from Whangapar

On this week’s show, Karen and Louisa recommend books to power our New Year’s Resolutions, past and future. Listen to this episode on the Auckland Libraries podcast. Books mentioned in the show: Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray Rage becomes her: the power of women’s anger  by Soraya Chealy Good and mad: the revolutionary power of women’s anger by Rebecca Traister Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis Today will be different by Maria Semple Better than before: mastering the habits of our everyday lives by Gretchen Rubin Conversations with Capote by Lawrence Grobel Ma’am darling: 99 glimpses of Princess Margaret by Craig Brown Do less be more: ban busy and make space for what matters by Martina Sheehan and Susan Pearse Rich enough? a laid-back guide for every Kiwi by Mary Holm Eat up! by Ruby Tandoh Terminations  by Henry James The payoff principle: discover the 3 secrets for getting what you want out of life and work by Dr. Alan R. Zimmerman

Kelly Sheehan talks with librarian Karen about co-founding Earth’s End Publishing, with Adrian Kinnaird and Damon Keen. They discuss their mission to bring into print exceptionally designed comics and graphic novels by New Zealand’s finest cartoonists, and about their latest release. Listen to this episode on the Auckland Libraries podcast and read on for the books mentioned in the show. The Earth’s End graphic novels mentioned in the show are: Dharma punks by Ant Sang Terry Teo and the gunrunners ; art by Bob Kerr, written by Stephen Ballantyne Moa by James Davidson Rufus Marigold by Ross Murray Auckland Libraries podcast 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 .

Nothing goes together quite like Aotearoa and the outdoors. Whether it's looking after the garden, long walks or our great love of sport, we seem to be forever exploring new ways to stay connected to our environment. As we head into the new year, what better time to get outside and explore our beautiful city? We have plenty of book lists to give you inspiration for your next adventure including Auckland specific walks, trips to our best attractions, gardening tips and everything sports!  Check out a few of our favourites below and let us know on our Instagram or Facebook how you're making the most of the sunshine! Don't forget to check-in your reads for the Great Summer Read challenge .  Our Auckland walks book list features everything from walking around our heritage sites to dog-friendly walking paths across Tāmaki Makaurau. There are informative guides for those who appreciate a holistic experience, or short and succinct guides for those just wanting to get o