Auckland Libraries blog

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 .

Whether your job has been impacted by COVID-19, you are looking for a change of scene or you are re-entering the workforce, Auckland Libraries has plenty of resources to help you get back on track. Let’s face it, job-seeking, upskilling and changing careers can be challenging at the best of times, but these transitions are difficult in our new, ever-changing landscape. Fortunately, Libraries provide opportunities for lifelong learning through lockdown and beyond.  We have so many fantastic resources that are available anytime, anywhere - and they are completely free! Now’s the time to lean in and keep learning. Work Navigator Get practical support with our Work Navigator programme. We can help you put together your CV and cover letter, navigate careers websites and identify skillsets! Our friendly staff can also assist you with upskilling, job seeking and accessing free online training like Lynda.com, to help you gain confidence and independence in your career development. Botany, Cent

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 apply.

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 Help , then Cho

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

Calling all movers, shakers, groovers and music lovers! Celebrate everything that makes Aotearoa special with us this May and jive into a world of musical history. Firmly entrenched in our culture, music plays an integral part in connecting the communities of Aotearoa together and creating a sense of belonging for people from all walks of life. NZ Music Month is not just about celebrating our music, but also the people who make it! We are lucky here in New Zealand to have such a richly diverse repertoire to choose from. So, we've put together a list of ways to help kick-off your celebrations in style! From musical eMagazines to free technical tutorials, delve into the world of music.  Binge-worthy Beamafilms Grab the popcorn and get comfortable, Beamafilm has hundreds of binge-worthy documentaries and movies dedicated to music and the lives of its biggest stars! Whether it's Whitney Houston, Martin Phillips or Bruce Springsteen, watch as stars are born, legacies are made and h