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...

If you’ve got a long list of books you want to read, but it feels like there’s never enough time to read – why don’t you give our fantastic selection of eBooks and eAudiobooks on BorrowBox a go? With a wide range of popular New Zealand, Australian and international authors, you can read on the bus, enjoy a short chapter with a morning cuppa or listen while you’re vacuuming the house! No cost, high reward Borrowbox is free if you have a library card, and the number of titles is staggering. There are 1000s of free eBooks and eAudiobooks on offer, from classics like Lord Jim and Lee Child’s blockbuster novels to modern sensations like Where the Crawdads Sing (more on that later). Not sure where to start? Take a page out of someone else’s book. You can explore what’s flying off the shelves by browsing through the bestsellers section or find the next big thing by looking at what’s trending . The lowdown You can borrow up to 15 eBooks and 15 eAudiobooks at a time, so you’ll never be sh...

Hot off the press: did you know that your library card gives you access to thousands of eMagazines and eNewspapers in full colour, full-page format? Read on to discover how we can help you use PressReader to read content from more than 100 countries in 60 languages. What’s the story? PressReader has made keeping up to date with the news more accessible than ever before. And we aren’t just talking about standalone articles. You can read entire magazines and newspapers cover-to-cover on your device. In addition to articles, you can enjoy all the same content you would expect from print publications, such as classifieds, comics, puzzles and family notices. Whether you’re looking for your morning fix of The Guardian or El País , or you’re eager to relax in the evening with the latest edition of Mindfood or Rolling Stone , PressReader has something for everybody! Also featured are regional newspapers from across Aotearoa / New Zealand, from the Northern Advocate down to the...

  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...

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...

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...

Finding eCollections these days seems easy, but do you really know what you're signing up for? We want to tell you about why you should choose Libby by OverDrive for eBooks and eAudiobooks! Libby by OverDrive is a free and easy to use app that lets you browse, select, check out and read or listen all in the same place! There's no opening new tabs or clicking back and forth, all you need is a library membership, and you're ready to roll! You don't have to worry about any complicated subscription rules, monthly limits or payment methods, because Libby is completely free with your library membership... which is also completely free! Once you get started, you can check out up to 35 items at a time, as many times as you like! The app is easy to navigate, even for tech novices, and also has a friendly chatbot to help you during the setup process.  Worried about fines? No problem! The items return themselves when you reach the end of your loan period. You can al...

If you’re feeling the stress of our current situation, these eMagazines are a free and easily accessible tool to help you refocus your energy and stay positive.  From nourishing recipes and gardening tips to meditation exercises and easy home-fitness routines, you’re sure to find something to comfort or energise you while we're spending more time around home. eMagazines are available free with your Auckland Libraries library card, via OverDrive - in browser or on the Libby, by OverDrive app (available in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store ).  Visit our website to find out how to get started with OverDrive. WellBeing WellBeing is a leading journal of natural health and living.   A refreshingly intelligent reading experience, WellBeing offers inspiration for a way of life that is authentic and soulful. Good Good is the magazine for people who think and care about the everyday choices they make. Good is filled with inspirational stories, world-changing...

When our libraries are closed – don't worry! We have a world of online offerings you can access anytime, anywhere. Enjoy streaming films, online courses and browse the latest eCollections and podcasts all from the comfort of home. Read an eBook, learn a new skill, travel around the world (virtually) or simply curl up with an old classic.  Check out what we have to offer, it's all completely free with your library membership! Haven't got a library membership? Sign up for an Auckland Libraries eMembership ! It only takes a couple of easy steps and can be done entirely from home! Libby by OverDrive Download the Libby by OverDrive app , and you’ll be sorted for all of your eBook, eAudiobook and eMagazine needs! Browse a huge range of quality New Zealand and international fiction and nonfiction on your favourite device. ​eMagazines are now available on Overdrive and your Libby app! Read thousands of international and local magazines with no limits or waitlists. You...

You’re now able to stream hundreds of documentaries, indie films and classic movies using your Auckland Libraries membership! Our streaming service, Beamafilm has a unique collection of documentaries, movies and subject-specific content available to stream 24/7 and completely free with your libraries membership. From classic genres such as crime, sports and lifestyle to award-winning films and documentaries - there’s hundreds of undeniably binge-worthy titles to choose from!  To access Beamafilm, visit their website and use your library membership details to create an account. Once you’ve verified your details, you can browse your favourite titles and start streaming – simple! Alongside Beamafilm, we’ve added videos to our OverDrive offer! Just visit the Auckland Libraries OverDrive page and log in with your library barcode to check out what’s available to watch. Visit our website for more information and start browsing now!

Our top pick for Waitangi Day 2021 is the updated edition of Dame Claudia Orange's illustrated history of the Treaty of Waitangi / Te Tiriti o Waitangi - available now online as part of the Bridget Williams Books Treaty of Waitangi Collection  and in print .   Claudia Orange's writing on Te Tiriti has contributed to New Zealanders' understanding of the Treaty for decades. In this new edition of her popular illustrated history, she brings the narrative up to date, covering major developments in iwi claims and Treaty settlements – including the establishment of "personhood" for the Whanganui River and Te Urewera, applications for customary title in the foreshore and seabed and critical matters of intellectual property, language and political partnership. In full colour and including illustrations, photographs, maps, copies and translations of founding documents, biographies and recent research into the Treaty documents and those who signed, this is a valuable update...

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 .