Auckland Libraries blog

Looking for budget-friendly ways to bond with your kids, keep them engaged and help them discover new passions? That little rectangle in your wallet – yes, the library card – is the key.  The library has everything your kids need to unwind, explore their interests and create lasting memories. Here’s how you can transform those "I'm bored" groans into "Wow, this is cool!" moments! Get creative at the library's Makerspace Many Auckland Council libraries have amazing Makerspace areas, where kids can get creative with 3D printers, sewing machines, and all sorts of techy tools. Imagine your child designing their own app or whipping up a funky tote bag!  Various tech is available at different libraries, and some pre-booking is required while others allow walk-in use.  Free fun at library events  We’re busy keeping kids busy! Libraries are constantly buzzing with fun activities, especially during school holidays. Some libraries even offer after school activities l...

In the October school holidays, we ran the Treasure Hunters reading challenge for tamariki on  Auckland Libraries Beanstack . Our young readers explored secret sites and treasure troves with our awesome school holiday activities and read lots of inspiring and adventurous books. As they read, they earned Treasure Hunter badges and entries into our prize draws. Together, our Treasure Hunter readers across Tāmaki Makaurau logged 1451 days of reading over two weeks! Read on for details about our prize winners! Treasure Hunters reading challenge prize pack winners We’re pleased to announce the two winners in the kids’ category and one winner of the youth category! Oscar from Pukekohe Library and Travis from East Coast Bays Library both won family passes to MOTAT Keddy of Albany Village Library won a $100 PB Tech voucher Top Reader bonus draw winners All readers who logged 10 or more days of reading out of a possible 12 were entered into our Top Reader bonus draws. Readers were placed in...

In the July school holidays, we ran the Ngā Tamariki o Matariki challenge for tamariki and rangatahi on Auckland Libraries Beanstack . Our young readers learned about Matariki, with reading suggestions for different ages and lots of activities to try. As they learned, they earned Ngā Tamariki o Matariki badges and entries into our prize draws. Together, our Ngā Tamariki o Matariki readers logged 894 days of reading over two weeks! Read on for details about our prize winners! Ngā Tamariki o Matariki 2023 reading challenge prize pack winners We’re pleased to announce the two winners in the kids’ category and one winner of the youth category! Tanzeel (8) from Botany Library, Matthew (7) from Glenfield Library and Pala (13) of Tupu Youth Library each won a Kaupapa boardgame .  Kaupapa boardgames are produced by Kura Rēhia and provide hours of fun while building your reo! Top Reader bonus draw winners All readers who logged 10 or more days of reading out of a possible 12 were entered in...

This year’s Te Ara Poutama Level Up summer reading challenge ran from 13 December until 28 January and was open to tamariki aged 5-12 years and teens aged 13-18 years. Each reader who registered received a free customisable library bag to fill up with lots of summer reading material. Each was encouraged to read every day, whatever they liked and for as long as they liked. They also had activities to choose from, giving them lots of ideas for levelling up their reading and recreation time. Together, our Level Up readers logged over 20,000 days of reading over six weeks – ka rawe (awesome)! As they logged, they were also earning entries into our Summer Prize Pack draws. We’re so proud of all our Level Up readers for spending their summer reading up a storm, learning something new, trying something different and having lots of fun with whānau, friends and their communities! Congratulations to all Level Up readers, and to our Level Up Summer Prize Pack winners! 2021/2022 Te Ara Poutama Lev...

Finding ways to keep your tamariki entertained at home can be a hard feat, and currently, extreme staycationing is where we’re all at. We are here to help your crew stay in shipshape with free online resources to entertain, educate or distract! Your Auckland Libraries membership gives you full access – just log in with your library card and password or PIN, and jump right in! No library card? No worries! Sign up for an eMembership for full access to our eResources, all from the comfort of your own home! Relax with a read Research has shown that reading relaxes the body and the mind, even more than listening to music or going for a walk! Here are some great ways to escape the world around you and bring the family closer. Make the most of having everyone together by choosing a family read-aloud for any time – not just bedtime Put aside some quiet time each day to read 'together alone'. Hunker down in your favourite cosy corners for a read, parents and c...

With tamariki and rangatahi (youth) all studying from home right now, Auckland Libraries are here to help! Clear the kitchen table and get out the devices – keep kids motivated with online resources that help them succeed with their schoolwork while schools are closed. Your Auckland Libraries membership gives you full access – just log in with your library card and password or PIN, and jump right in! No library card? No worries! Sign up for an eMembership for full access to our eResources, all from the comfort of your own home! Librarians online Let librarians do the grunt work helping out with kids’ assignments! AnyQuestions   Safe and friendly online help for New Zealand students from Year 1 - Year 13. Between 1pm - 6pm weekdays, kids can log on and chat with a real librarian for help with curly questions across all subjects. ManyAnswers Available anytime with NZ Curriculum-based topic guides that help kids find the information for themselves. Digital s...

These school holidays we're setting our imaginations free!  Drop by your local libraries for a big stack of books and then keep the fun going at home with access to our online activities and resources. We have eBooks, eAudiobooks, databases featuring fun and educational games and even streaming films! If you're keeping the whānau indoors, we have the tools you need for some extreme staycationing! We have hundreds of free online resources to entertain, educate or distract tamariki! Your Auckland Libraries membership gives you full access - just log in with your library card and password or PIN, and jump right in! No library card? No worries!  Sign up for an eMembership  for full access to our eResources, all from the comfort of your own home. No WiFi? Check out Spark Jump , a programme that provides access to modems and a subsidised prepaid wireless internet connection. It is available to anyone who does not have a broadband connection at home because cost is a barrier. Fi...

These school holidays we're shining bright!  Join us at your local libraries and from home for fun activities themed around light and the stars. We're conducting experiments, making art, becoming performing stars and taking part in Matariki celebrations. If the cooler weather is keeping your whānau indoors, we have the tools you need for some extreme staycationing! Keep tamariki sparkling with free online resources to entertain, educate or distract! Your Auckland Libraries membership gives you full access - just log in with your library card and password or PIN, and jump right in! No library card? No worries!  Sign up for an eMembership  for full access to our eResources, all from the comfort of your own home. Relax with a read Research has shown that reading relaxes the body and the mind, even more than listening to music or going for a walk! Here are some great ways to escape the world around you and bring the family closer. Make the most of having everyone together by...

Our Dare to Explore website is back! Take on fun challenges and encourage your tamariki to read a little every day. You and your whānau may remember the Dare to Explore programme from the summer holidays! Our reading programme was designed and created by children's librarians and educators to support reading and ongoing learning over the summer break. It's been endorsed and supported by Auckland schools, teachers, school librarians and parents across Auckland! The fun activities have been updated to reflect our current environment and take into consideration learning from home and physical distancing, whilst continuing to encourage creativity, thinking outside the box, and creating opportunities for self led entertainment. Fill in Tuatara’s reading trail by reading a little every day! This helps maintain reading levels and allow tamariki to stretch their reading skills at their own pace Download and print activity sheets from the original book - just adjust as app...

Switch up your storytime with our brand new collection of Vox Books. Just in time for school holidays, we are expanding our fantastic kids' collection to bring you Vox Books - a read-along picture book experience! These beautiful picture books offer complete audio narration that brings your storytime to life! Vox Books are perfect for tamariki to practice their reading aloud, picture book lovers who don’t speak English as a first language, readers with learning difficulties and more. Missed out on your regular Storytime session? The new and improved speaker systems allow for clear and crisp audio for bedtime stories or your very own living room Storytime for the whole family! Vox Books have been distributed across our libraries, and can be requested to the location most convenient to you. You can check these out just like regular picture books and request your favourites using our catalogue. To view our newest Vox Books, browse our catalogue here . If you ...

Kick back and relax these school holidays knowing Auckland Libraries has all your entertainment needs covered! From wacky events to wild reads, we have lots of things to keep your tamariki busy! We're exploring the weird, wild and wonderful these school holidays! Visit your local library to try some mind-boggling science experiments, stretch your imagination, and celebrate creatures big and small. Events Get out of the house and to your local library to experience the hundreds of different school holidays events running across Auckland.  Browse our school holidays events to find out what's happening at your local library. Book lists Inspire your children to start a new craft project or learn more about the world with our specially curated school holidays book lists. Whether you want to find a new hobby or make new friends, check out some suggestions: Everyday science for kids Life lessons for teens   Mindfulness for kids Native animals of ...