Open books, open minds: How Auckland Council Libraries fills content gaps for communities

Did you know Auckland Council Libraries collaborates on content creation projects? 

Have you ever walked into a library and struggled to find something that reflects your culture or learning needs, or resonates with your community's experiences? We understand that feeling at Auckland Council Libraries. 

That's why we created the content creation programme, a dynamic initiative where we partner with community members, organisations and publishing partners to bridge these content gaps and ensure our resources reflect the rich diversity of Tāmaki Makaurau. 

Our content creation programme aims to address identified needs within our diverse communities. This can take the form of books in various languages, podcasts and videos exploring local history or digital resources that empower and celebrate the tapestry of cultures within Auckland.

Working together is key to finding solutions

Our collaborative process is open and inclusive. Our librarians are well-connected to community groups, ethnic associations and individuals. By interacting with their local communities, they are very experienced in identifying gaps in our collections and coming up with ideas to fill them with resources that will benefit their customers. Once a project has been approved, we work closely with these partners throughout the development process. This ensures the final product is not only culturally appropriate but also resonates deeply with the intended audience.

Success stories: Building bridges one book at a time

Let's delve into some examples of how collaboration has brought meaningful content to life:

Stories of Our Lives: Tō Mātou Ao, A Mātou Pūrākau (2019)

In 2019, we recognised a significant gap in the availability of adult literacy resources that are set in a New Zealand context and reflect Māori and Pasifika cultures. This sparked a partnership with Literacy Waitākere. Together, we've created this series of Māori and Pasifika literacy resources and continue to develop new additions. These easy-to-read books, written by the program's students themselves, celebrate their experiences and cultural heritage, filling a critical void in adult literacy resources.

O Leilani ma lona Fale’oloa | Leilani’s Shop (2023)

This vibrant children's picture book in Samoan and English, written by Samoan author Natasha W. Tavita Vaaelua, beautifully depicts the importance of family and cultural traditions. "O Leilani ma lona Fale’oloa: Leilani’s Shop" not only promotes the Samoan language and literacy but also serves as a powerful representation for young Pasifika readers.

Meet a Rare Book, the Podcast (2022)

What makes a book a rare book? Travel through the centuries with librarian Georgia Prince as she introduces us to rare books held in Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections. In this podcast series Georgia talks about what makes these books special, sharing stories about why and how they were made, who bought them and read them, and how they found their way into our public library.

Ngako: The Collections Talk (2023)

A documentary film and podcast series that explores taonga held in our Auckland Council Libraries Heritage Collections. We journey with narrators who illustrate how documentary heritage collections help us understand our past, our present and show us potential paths into our future.

Rere Atu Taku Poi! Let My Poi Fly! (2024)

This brand new bilingual picture book is a must-read for whānau (family) looking for a heartwarming tale about cultural pride, self-expression and the courage to be yourself. This captivating story, born from author Tangaroa Paul's own experiences, tackles the need for greater representation in children's literature.  Auckland Libraries collaborated with Tangaroa, a renowned storyteller and expert in Māori and Indigenous studies, to bring this story to life alongside our publishing partner, Oratia Books.

He aroha mau kino e | A forbidden love (2022) 

Partnering with Wharekawa Marae and Little Mouse, we co-created a bilingual ebook and audiobook centred on Wharekawa Marae pepeha (tribal history). The story explores historic connections and important Māori landmarks across Te Waonui o Tiriwa (Waitākere Ranges) and Te Ngāherehere o Kohukohunui (Hunua Ranges), exploring historic connections familiar to local communities. A love story, battles, tūrehu (fairy folk), and a volcanic eruption – this pūrākau (traditional Māori story) has it all!

What’s up next?

Bilingual VOX books

A world-first collaboration is coming on April 29 2024. Imagine a captivating children’s book that doubles as a language tutor! This exciting initiative is the first of its kind. 

In collaboration with Library Ideas, we handpicked six children's picture books from their VOX collection – books with built-in audio narration! These titles were then translated into te reo Māori, making them accessible for our te reo Māori speaking and learning communities.

VOX books are a unique format, combining a traditional print book with a permanently attached VOX reader device. This allows young learners to not only follow along with the text but also listen to professional narration in both English and te reo Māori.

The impact of innovation

The Bilingual VOX Books project offers a multitude of benefits:

• It helps literacy champs in the making. By combining engaging stories with expert narration, these books encourage young minds to develop their reading skills in both English and te reo Māori.
• Te Reo Māori gets a boost! The project actively helps revitalise te reo Māori by giving kids a chance to immerse themselves in the language.
• Learning for all. The VOX reader caters to a variety of learning styles, making these books accessible to a wider audience, including those with visual impairments or learning difficulties. 

Where can you find bilingual VOX books in NZ?

Auckland Council Libraries has purchased 100 copies of each bilingual VOX book to enrich our children's collection, making these innovative resources available across the region. They can also be purchased by other libraries for wider accessibility in New Zealand over time. 

Keep an eye on the VOX books collection in our library catalogue for access to the bilingual copies from April 29!

Coming later this year

Toitū Ngā Marae

This adult non-fiction book, co-published with Huia and scheduled for release in mid-2024, tells the inspiring story of how marae across Auckland responded to the needs of their communities during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Through interviews with marae leaders and workers, "Toitū Ngā Marae: Pandemic Experiences of Marae in Tāmaki Makaurau" documents the vital role these cultural centres played in supporting whānau and the wider community, and fostering resilience. With some interviews in te reo Māori and others in English, this publication will be of interest for both English and te reo Māori speakers.

Stories of Our Lives: Tō Mātou Ao, A Mātou Pūrākau

Another set of three three adult literacy books are on their way, bringing the titles in the series to nine in total.

• “Extraordinary” by Vi’ia Tovia Su’a Lupo, illustrated by Nina Mercep
• “The River” by MJT
• “From Bamyan to Auckland” by H. Dawlatyar, illustrated by Nina Mercep.

Looking ahead: A commitment to continuous growth

We’ve had the pleasure of bringing some exciting and impactful projects to life through our content creation programme so far. These projects represent just a glimpse of the diverse content creation initiatives supported by Auckland Council Libraries. 

We are constantly exploring new opportunities to expand our collections and ensure they reflect the ever-evolving tapestry of our communities. While we can't publish every content request, we encourage you to get in touch if you identify a gap in our collections. Your voice matters!

Delve into the diverse range of books and resources funded through our content creation initiatives.  Visit your local branch or browse our online catalogue to discover these hidden gems.