Auckland Libraries blog

Books that celebrate the human-animal bond are a firm favourite among our readers. Karen and Louisa talk about some classics of the genre and some new arrivals on the literary scene. If you’re having a ruff day, this episode will leave you feline pretty good! Listen to this episode on the Auckland Libraries podcast. Books mentioned in the show:  Finding Gobi: the true story of a little dog and an incredible journey by Dion Leonard with Craig Borlase Flush, a biography by Virginia Woolf ; new introduction by Trekkie Ritchie Afterglow : a dog memoir by Eileen Myles My family and other animals by Gerald Durrell Black Beauty  by Anna Sewell  Boo to a goose by Mem Fox  Kahu: the cautious kiwi by written by Brian Birchall  We’re going on a bear hunt by retold by Michael Rosen Te haere ki te rapu pea  nā Michael Rosen ngā kōrero Mission impawsible by Krista Davis Murder most howl by Krista Davis Not a creature was purring by Kri...

Auckland Libraries provide Aucklanders with free access to millions of books - but did you know this includes over 17,000 comics, graphic novels, manga and more?  Check out five top tips on borrowing our comics and graphic novels and take advantage of these amazing collections available across our libraries. 1. Keeping up with the comics Keep an eye on our newest purchases on the Graphic Novels New titles page . This page updates with newly purchased items on a daily basis. This is the best way to stay up to date with our newest comics, nab the latest volume in your current series and stay at the top of the requests list! 2. Request the next volume now Starting a big series? Taking on CLAMP's back catalogue , Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley’s Ultimate Spiderman run, Gail Simone's Batgirl , or the Eisner and Hugo Award winning Saga is as easy as searching our catalogue . Look up a title or author and click to request the volumes you p...

Peter Bland, prize-winning poet, playwright, charismatic actor and recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Achievement talks with Karen about his life and his work. Hear him read some of his gorgeous poetry and tell some wonderful anecdotes. Listen to the episode on the Auckland Libraries podcast. Books mentioned in the show: Sorry, I'm a stranger here myself: a memoir by Peter Bland Collected poems: 1956-2011 by Peter Bland Expecting miracles by Peter Bland Just looking by Peter Bland 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 9.35 pm. Recent shows can be listened to via the Auckland Libraries podcast.

Alison and Karen get into the Joan-zone as they discuss this celebrated essayist and style-icon. Listen to this episode on the Auckland Libraries podcast. Books mentioned in the show: Democracy by Joan Didion Live and learn by Joan Didion Slouching towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion We tell ourselves stories in order to live: collected non-fiction by Joan Didion Good and mad: the revolutionary power of women's anger by Rebecca Traister My misspent youth: essays by Meghan Daum The unspeakable: and other subjects of discussion by Meghan Daum The Problem with Everything: My Journey Through the New Culture Wars by Meghan Daum 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 9.35 pm. Recent shows can be listened to via the Auckland Libraries podcast.

Jarrod Wakefield and Timothy Barnett, Auckland Libraries Digitised Content & Strategy team. In recognition of World Digital Preservation Day , we spoke with Digitised Content & Strategy Manager, Timothy Barnett, about the important digital preservation projects our expert staff work on. The team's goal is to make Auckland Libraries’ heritage collections available online to a worldwide audience. Tim tells us that no one else in the world has some of the items Auckland Libraries curates. "These are pieces of New Zealand's story that don't exist elsewhere." Auckland Libraries launched Kura Heritage Collections Online in early 2019, a website where you can discover, explore and engage with the wealth of heritage content digitised by our Auckland Libraries preservation experts. On each  Kura record, visitors are invited to leave comments and feedback to help fill in any gaps or add to the history of the items in our care. Since the launch...

If you haven't visited the library in a while, finding your way around can be quite a daunting task. We all know libraries are full of fascinating, gripping and titillating reads, but with endless options - where do you begin? We’re sharing our top five tips to help you get the best out of your library experience. Whether you know exactly what you’re looking for or don’t know where to start, these library hacks will help you find those hidden gems and make the checkout process a breeze. 1. Recently returned The recently returned section is a great place to start, as these are tried and tested by other customers! There will be a variety of genres on display, for those who don’t know what they’re looking for or if you're looking to try something new. 2. My Librarian Finding a good book can be tricky if you don’t know what you’re interested in! You can request a personalised recommendation from one of our librarians, just by filling out a short que...

Auckland Libraries loan periods for books, DVDs and magazines will change temporarily over the summer holidays. From Saturday 23 November 2019 you will be able to check out certain items for a longer period of time to accommodate reduced hours during the summer holiday period. Loan rules for Nov 2019 - Jan 2020 From 23 November - 28 day loans become 42 day loans  From 7 December - 14 day loans become 28 day loans  From 4 January - 28 day loans go back to normal  From 11 January - 14 day loans go back to normal 

Pressreader  has extended your access to downloading free eMagazines and eNewspapers wherever you are from 7 days to 30 days. To download unlimited eMagazines and eNewspapers visit one of our Auckland Libraries, connect to our free WiFi and open the Pressreader app to start your 30 day download period. To continue reading and downloading through the app, visit an Auckland Libraries location and open the app again while connected to our Wi-Fi to start your next 30 days of free access. Not near a library at the end of the 30 day period? You can always access the latest eNewspapers and eMagazines through the PressReader website instead. Download the app for  Apple  and  Android  devices or  browse PressReader online .  Whether it's The Guardian, the New Zealand Herald or GQ, you can take a pocket-sized version with you wherever you go!

Alison and Karen talk about trains. Travel, romance, elegance, intrigue and crime. It’s always better on the tracks. Listen to this episode on the Auckland Libraries podcast. Books mentioned in the show: Orient Express: the story of a legend by text by Guillaume Picon; photography by Benjamin Chelly; preface by Kenneth Branagh Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie The girl on the train by Paula Hawkins The flight attendant: a novel by Chris Bohjalian Going west  by Maurice Gee Stamboul train: an entertainment by Graham Greene Strangers on a train by Patricia Highsmith The Kreutzer sonata and other stories by Leo Tolstoy 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 9.35 pm. Recent shows can be listened to via the Auckland Libraries podcast .