Auckland Libraries blog

Dreading the drag of a long journey? Or love having the time to yourself? Public transport can be a great time to unwind or catch up on tasks.  Whether you're craving relaxation or want to make the most of your journey, here are some ideas to leverage your commute with the amazing resources available for free with your Auckland Council library card! Recharge on the go: library e-resources for relaxation  Sometimes, the best use of your commute is simply to de-stress. This time is yours. Sit back, relax; embrace the hum of the engine and the world passing you by.  Here are some ways your library card can help you unplug and unwind – just don’t miss your stop!  Immerse yourself in a story Pop on some comfy headphones and get lost in an eAudiobook . With your library card, you can access hundreds of free titles online, from captivating fiction to insightful non-fiction. Carve out some ‘me time’ by listening in peace to true crime, steamy romance or even self-help b...

Personal growth comes in all shapes and sizes, and LinkedIn Learning courses aren’t always about project management and goal setting. There are unique courses that can take your self-improvement journey in unexpected directions, whether you want to improve your abilities as an artist, influencer, craftsperson, or team player. Did you know that you can use LinkedIn Learning for free? All you need is an Auckland Council Libraries membership . Learning 3D printing Ready to bring your sketchbook scribbles to life? From scanning and modelling to choosing the right printer, this interactive course will teach you all you need to know about the world of 3D printing. Once you’re ready to put theory into practice, head down to a Makerspace at a library near you and use our 3D printers! Once you’ve graduated from a novice to an artisan, you can move on to other LinkedIn Learning courses like ‘Designing a replacement part’ or ‘3D Scanning a Person’. Sign up for LinkedIn Learning with your libra...

You’re never too old to learn something new. Auckland Council Libraries offers a vast selection of tools, resources, classes and workshops designed to help you sharpen your mind, broaden your skill set and reach your goals. Learn life skills through Pathways Awarua Pathways Awarua is a free online learning tool that helps you improve your reading, writing and maths skills and teaches you practical tasks like budgeting and learning to drive. We’re delighted to have developed a new learning path called ‘Living in your Community’ - with easy-to-use interactive modules that give you the knowledge, skills and support to thrive. Try out our first two modules focused on public libraries and how to use our services and navigate the shelves. Visit the Pathways Awarua website on your home computer or device or from a public PC at the library and sign up for an account. Once you’re logged in, you can start learning immediately! Classes and workshops Tāmaki Makaurau is a diverse city, and our l...

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 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...