Auckland Libraries blog

It will come as no surprise that we love sharing great books and stories, but did you know that we publish our own books? In 2020, we established a small but exciting publishing partnership programme to create and publish the pukapuka that we need more of in our libraries, with a particular focus on increasing our Māori and Pacific collections. Many New Zealand publishers are already doing amazing work creating Māori and Pasifika books, and we wanted to play a part too. The books we’ve published so far focus on te reo Māori and Pasifika languages and storytelling, often with a local angle. They promote literacy and help ensure that our libraries continue to be places of belonging for all Aucklanders. We follow a unique partnership approach, collaborating with local communities to create stories and working closely with publishing partners to bring these stories to life. Most recently, Auckland Council Libraries joined The Publishers Association of New Zealand / Te Rau o Tākupu as a me...

The world of Pacific literature is diverse, full of surprises and powerful! Our latest Pacific titles cover an ocean of subjects including feminism, beautiful Pacific poetry, and myths and legends. Explore these curated lists of adult and kids books put together by Senior Pacific Content Specialist Veronica, and celebrate Pacific literature by checking them out at your local library or via our catalogue. New Pacific adult books Vā: Stories by Women of the Moana  edited by Sisilia Eteuati & Lani Young An anthology of female-driven narratives from 38 writers drawn from across the Pacific. The stories touch on themes such as family, history, culture and feminism. Tackle Your Success: 7 Truths of a Professional Athlete: A Step-by-step Guide to a New Life After Sports by Filipo Levi From playing for the Highlanders to captaining Manu Samoa against the All Blacks, Filipo Levi has faced more than his fair share of challenges throughout his illustrious career. In this in...

For many Aucklanders, reading has been a top priority in 2020. People have told us that they have read to learn and discover, and to escape into the pleasures of a good book. Read on for the  books that have been the most popular with Aucklanders in 2020: Adult fiction Blue moon by Lee Child The night fire by Michael Connelly The giver of stars by Jojo Moyes Grown ups - Marian Keyes Past tense - Lee Child Adult non-fiction Becoming - Michelle Obama Lady in waiting: my extraordinary life in the shadow of the crown by Anne Glenconner Veg by Jamie Oliver The body: a guide for occupants by Bill Bryson Jacinda Ardern: the story behind an extraordinary leader by Michelle Duff Children's fiction The missing movie by Geronimo Stilton The getaway by Jeff Kinney The test of time: the sixth journey through time by Geronimo Stilton The hunt for the Colosseum ghost by Jeff Kinney The island of dragons: the twelfth adventure in the Kingdom of Fantasy by JKRowling Children's no...

Our 'Ask us to buy it' service has made a comeback! We are now ready to take your suggestions for Auckland Libraries’ collections again.  Council’s Emergency Budget resulted in reduced funding for our collections this year. Also, the publishing world and international distribution networks continue to be impacted by COVID-19. This meant our ‘Ask us to buy it’ service was put on hold while we worked through the effects of these challenges. We have taken the opportunity while the service has been on hold to evaluate it and make some improvements.  Our online request form has been re-developed to make it a more streamlined experience. Thank you for your patience as we have worked through these challenges, and we look forward to receiving your valued suggestions for our collections once more.  Visit the 'Ask us to buy it' request form .

Photograph by Eni Esekia. Tâlofa nî! Celebrate Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau  2020  – Tokelau Language Week 2020 with Auckland Libraries from 25  -  31 Oketopa (October) 2020. The 2020 Tokelau Language Week theme is ‘Apoapo tau foe, i nā tāfea i te galutau. Ke mau mai, ke mau mai’ which in English translates to, 'Never give up hope, even amidst chaos and much uncertainty. Stay united, stay strong'. Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau (Tokelau Language Week) celebrates the culture and language of Faka-Tokelau (The Tokelauan way of life). This week gives us an opportunity to celebrate the wonderful and unique culture, language and people of Tokelau. Join Auckland Libraries and our Tokelau community in growing our knowledge about the culture, history and language of Tokelau. Did you know? Tokelau consists of three small coral atolls: Atafu, the most northern atoll has a surface area of 3.5km square; Nukunonu, the central atoll, is 4.7km square; and Fakaofo, the southern atoll, is 4...

Fakaalofa lahi atu! Celebrate Faahi tapu he Vagahau Niue 2020 – Niuean Language Week 2020 with Auckland Libraries from  18 - 24 Oketopa (October) 2020. The 2020 Niuean Language Week theme is ‘Faliki e tau momoui he tau atuhau ke he Vagahau Niue’ which in English translates to, ' Lay the foundations - give rise to Vagahau Niue for generations'.   Faahi tapu he Vagahau Niue is an opportunity for Niuean speakers living in Auckland to celebrate and share the beautiful culture and language of Niue.  Tāmaki Makaurau is home to the largest Pacific population in Aotearoa New Zealand - and the world. There are over 23,000 Niuean people living in Auckland alone.  Join Auckland Libraries and our Niuean community in growing our knowledge about the culture, history and language of Niue. “Ko au, ko koe, ko e tautolu, ko Niue!”  “I am, you are, we are, Niue!”  Events Discover and immerse yourself in the rich culture of Niue through stories, music and dance at Auckland Li...

Fale Tusi i Aukilani e fakamanatu te Vaiaso o te Gana Tuvalu / Auckland Libraries celebrates Tuvalu Language Week Talofa! Join us in celebrating Tuvalu Language Week from 27 Setema (September) to 3 Oketopa (October). This year's theme is  Fakatili Te Kiloga Fou -  Navigating the changing environment. Did you know? Tuvalu means 'eight islands together'. Tuvalu was once known as the Ellice Islands, and in 1978, Tuvalu declared independence from Great Britain. The capital is Funafuti Atoll; most government offices are located in the village of Vaiaku, Fongafale islet, a constituent part of Funafuti Atoll. The group includes both atolls and reef islands. The atolls - Nanumea, Nui, Nukufetau, Funafuti, and Nukulaelae - have islets encircling a shallow lagoon; the reef islands - Nanumanga, Niutao, Vaitupu, and Niulakita - are compact with a fringing reef. Tuvaluans are Polynesian, and their language, Tuvaluan, is closely related to Samoan. Nui, however, was heavily settled in pr...

Kapow! From Monday 21 September to Sunday 11 October 2020, we're celebrating the incredible worlds of graphic novels, comics and manga. Comic Book: Take 3 WIN tickets to Armageddon Auckland’s 25th Anniversary Expo ! Borrow any three graphic novels, comics or manga from any of our libraries or on the eBook platforms  OverDrive and Libby from September 21 to October 11 2020, and you're automatically in the draw to win one of ten family passes to Armageddon Expo (23 - 26 October, Labour Weekend) and three  Beyond Reality Media graphic novel packs! Visit your local library, our OverDrive homepage or our Libraries catalogue to explore our collection of graphic novels and manga for adults, teens and kids, check your contact details are up to date , and get borrowing today for your chance to win! Not yet an Auckland Libraries member? Membership is free for Auckland residents and it only takes a minute to join.  Join Auckland Libraries now! Competition terms and conditions ...

Si’oto ‘Ofa! Mālō e lelei! Auckland Libraries are celebrating 'Uike Katoanga’i ‘O e Lea Faka-Tonga: Tongan Language Week from 6 September – 12 September 2020. This week is an amazing opportunity for Tongans of all ages living across Aotearoa to celebrate, embrace and share the beauty and uniqueness of their Tongan culture, history, customs, values and language with the rest of New Zealand. Auckland is home to thousands of Tongans and Auckland Libraries are excited to work together with our Tongan communities to celebrate and promote the beautiful culture of the friendly islands of Tonga. Mālō ‘Aupito! Nga Iwi Primary School - Tongan Group 'Oua lau e kafo, kae lau e lava! (Stay positive and count your blessings) - Tongan Proverb - Talanoa with us Keep up with Pasifika content on Facebook Follow the Auckland Libraries Talanoa Facebook Page for the freshest Pasifika content from our talented Pasifika librarians! They share memories, photographs, Pasifika voices and ama...

Alison and Ineka have been reading about recovery, resilience and revenge. Join us and make literature subversive fun again. Listen to this week's episode on the Auckland Libraries podcast. Ngā Pātaka Kōrero - Auckland Libraries · Books and Beyond: Literary Lounge   Books mentioned in the show:   Nothing to See  by  Pip Adam (NZ author – Adult Fiction)   Days of Distraction  by  Alexandra Chang (Adult Fiction)   The Weekend  by  Charlotte Wood (Adult Fiction)   The Natural Way of Things  by  Charlotte Wood (Adult Fiction)   How to escape from prison  by Paul Wood (NZ author  -  Adult Non-Fiction )   Disappearing Earth  by Julia Phillips (Adult Fiction)   My dark Vanessa  by  Kate Elizabeth Russell  (Adult Fiction)   Auckland Libraries' radio show Books and Beyond explores the world of books with guest authors, recommended reads, gems...