Auckland Libraries blog

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 so much of our work, socialising, entertainment and leisure coming through our screens right now, perhaps your eyes and your mind could use a little rest!  Auckland Libraries’ eAudiobooks and podcasts are the answer! From a quick chapter to go with your morning cuppa, a lively listen and learn during a lunchtime walk, or a long soothing story at bedtime, there’s always something new for your ears to enjoy and it’s all free to access with your library membership. Being read to aloud holds many benefits - it’s not just for kids! Our very first experiences of language are oral and listening to audiobooks can help to soothe and quieten the mind particularly during stressful times. So, download the apps, sit back and relax, listen and learn! BorrowBox BorrowBox eAudiobooks carries popular international authors like Lee Child, Liane Moriarty and Kate Atkinson, as well as a great selection of NZ and Australian titles. Start with our 'Most Popular list' , browse through your pr...

Hot drinks, knitwear and cosying up with a good book – we all have our tried and tested ways of surviving the winter weather in Tāmaki Makaurau. Whether you head out to brave the cold or like to stay tucked up at home, our inviting and cosy spaces, binge-worthy collections, and portable Home Energy Audit Toolkits are here to help keep you and your whānau safe, entertained and warm this winter. Make our libraries your lounge If you want to escape the harsh winter weather, pop into your local library to kick back and relax! Browse the shelves, charge your phone, connect to the free WiFi, listen to a Book Bite or find a comfy couch and hunker down for an hour or two.  Rānui and Devonport Library even have their own fireplaces, so make yourself at home! Free WiFi A friendly reminder ​that all of our libraries across Tāmaki Makaurau offer free wireless internet access (WiFi), including mobile libraries. Bring in your laptop, tablet or smartphone to access the internet. If you don’t...

For the busy, on-the-go, 'just popping in' or adventurous reader, Ready-to-go Reads is a new way to get your book fix, fast! Ready-to-Go Reads book packs are the perfect pick-me-up for yourself, friends and whānau of all ages.  It's simple - our librarians will choose five great books from your favourite genres and bag them up. You drop by with your library card, grab your bag, use the self-checkout and you’re ready to go! Choose from a selection of prepacked Ready-to-Go Reads book packs during your visit, or visit our website to order a pack online . We’ll send you an email when your Ready-to-Go Reads book pack is ready to collect from your local library. Don't want a lucky dip? You can still browse our catalogue and place a request if you're wanting a particular read. Read on for how to click and collect a request. Click and collect Place a request for the hottest new blockbuster or the upcoming book in your favourite series to ensure your place in the reading qu...