Auckland Libraries blog

  Together We Read NZ: 27 September - 11 October 2023 From 27 September to 11 October, book lovers from across Aotearoa are invited to join the country’s biggest online book club, Together We Read . This year, the chosen book is Remember Me by local author Charity Norman – a heartfelt, page-turning suspense novel.  For two weeks, readers can borrow Remember Me on the Libby by OverDrive app with no waitlist! All you need is your Auckland Council Libraries barcode number. And if you don’t have a free library membership, join the library online today ! The Together We Read digital book club is run by OverDrive and connects readers across New Zealand’s public libraries. During the programme, readers can participate in online discussions about the book and attend an online event with the author hosted by Auckland Libraries . How it works Find out how to take part in Together We Read NZ! You’ll need a free Auckland Council Libraries membership – join online or visit your local li...

  Did you know that you can access Auckland Council Libraries’ extensive eCollections without leaving the comfort of your whare? Libby is a free and easy-to-use app that gives you access to our massive selection of titles with no subscriptions, fees or monthly limits. Curated lists With over 200,000 titles, don’t be intimidated by the vast range  -   we can help you find the perfect page-turner. Go to OverDrive From celebrating rainbow communities, Lunar New Year, New Zealand authors and Book Club favourites, explore lists curated by our librarians, designed to help you find something great to read, as well as our popular Top 100 list, so you know what’s hot. What’s different about Libby? Libby makes borrowing books simple  -   the titles you borrow return themselves automatically when you reach the end of your loan period. Not finished reading or listening? Renew it or borrow it again  -  it’ll save your place so you can pick up where you le...

These new features will make your eReading experience even faster and more enjoyable!  Helpful new features are now available on the  Libby by Overdrive and BorrowBox apps. Don't forget to update your apps on your device to get the full enhanced experience!  Libby now supports nine additional languages The Libby app now supports browsing in nine additional languages.  All of the helpful Libby information and guides can be updated to your preferred language! Libby will automatically use the language your device or web browser is currently using. eBooks and eAudiobooks remain in their original languages.  You can now browse collections, search for specific titles, get help and more in the following languages: • English • Spanish • French (Canada) • Simplified Chinese • Traditional Chinese • German • Italian • Japanese • Russian • Swedish If you'd like to use Libby in a different language than your device, go to the Libby menu, select Get Some...

With libraries closed and Aotearoa in lockdown over the last 8 weeks, many Aucklanders turned to our eCollections and online resources to read, watch and learn while staying safe at home. A whopping 498,287 eBooks and eAudiobooks were issued, and we welcomed 3,772 new members to the Auckland Libraries whānau. Our staff were also getting busy, making over 15,000 calls to members of Auckland's over 70s community and offering support in these difficult times.  Many of our heritage collections staff spent time transcribing nineteenth-century letters in the collections , making them more accessible for keyword searching. Our Stay Connected series on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter saw Aucklanders share with us (and each other!) their stories, whakapapa, lockdown lives and more. We also got creative and started offering our popular events and programmes online. With musical performances, craft activities, storytimes, webinars, virtual bookclubs and knitting groups, it’s been amazing...

Libby have made a few enhancements to their app, to continue to provide the best experience possible for our readers. Helpful Shelf tips: There will be new Shelf tips, including one that encourages you to return books once you’re done. You will see this early return prompt based on your reading progress and the number of other readers waiting for a title.  Updated Loans display: The look of the loan screen has been refreshed, adding a reading progress bar and exact due dates. A simple tap on the due date for each book brings up options to return early, renew, or go to the details page. Improved wait time display: You can now see the estimated wait time for a hold by tapping the new calendar icon on your Holds shelf. The OverDrive site will also display an approximate wait time. Please note that all wait times are estimates and may change based on various factors, like early return and hold pickup time. New Shelf summary: When visiting the Shelf, you will be greeted with...