Auckland Libraries blog

Due to maintenance, our online library services will be unavailable on: 12.00am to 3.00am, Wednesday 27 November. The outages will include searching for library items in the library catalogue, logging in and managing your account, paying online and joining the library.   The outages will also affect our eCollections platforms, the Auckland Libraries app and our eLearning resources. Our apologies for this inconvenience.

How can communities thrive in times of change, social isolation and worry? This new adult nonfiction book tells the inspiring stories of how marae across Auckland responded to the needs of their communities during the Covid-19 pandemic. Edited by Dr Kimiora Raerino and co-published by Auckland Council Libraries and Huia, the book is scheduled for release in late November.  Image: The book’s editor, Dr Kimiora Raerino, holds a copy of Toitū Ngā Marae: Pandemic Experiences of Marae in Tāmaki Makaurau. Through 22 interviews with marae leaders and workers, Toitū Ngā Marae: Pandemic Experiences of Marae in Tāmaki Makaurau documents the vital role ten local marae played in supporting whānau and the wider community. They were able to provide healthy food to the community, care for isolated whānau and organise vaccination centres – all while confronting lockdowns, restrictions, illness and the loss happening throughout Aotearoa. Some interviews took place in te reo Māori and others in Engl...

Are you seeking the chill of a suspenseful story in the lead-up to Halloween? If you’re curious about the horror genre but nervous to dip your toes in, you might be wondering where to start.  The idea of horror can be intimidating—full of nightmarish creatures and gory details. But not all horror stories are designed to keep you up at night. There are plenty of not-too-scary stories that create just the right balance of suspense, atmosphere and even humour without veering into outright terror.  In this list, we’ve carefully selected titles that range from whimsical mysteries to unsettling supernatural tales, all ordered from least to most scary based on overall intensity, themes and tone.  We begin with gently eerie books that feel like stepping into a shadowy corner, moving gradually into more intense reads that flirt with fear but never cross into full-blown horror. By the end, you’ll have a taste of the genre’s darker side, should you choose to venture further.  N...

Following feedback and a review, we will be discontinuing our subscription to the reading tracker and reading challenge app Beanstack.  Customers and staff will no longer have access to Beanstack accounts via the Auckland Libraries Beanstack website and Beanstack Tracker app from Monday 4 November 2024 . What does this mean for you? You will no longer have access to past challenge information including any digital badges earned, or reading logs or book reviews written by yourself or other readers on your Beanstack account.  Customers who have signed up to receive Beanstack’s emailed reading recommendations will stop receiving these on or before Monday 4 November 2024. All your account information including any personal data and user-generated content such as reviews and reading logs will be securely deleted by Beanstack after Monday 4 November 2024. Can I save my own or my kids’ reading logs and reviews before then? Account holders can print and save their own Beanstack readi...

Have you ever imagined seeing your own story in a book? This is now a reality for adult learners at Literacy Waitākere! Auckland Council Libraries, in partnership with Literacy Waitākere , is proud to present three new titles in the series "Stories of our Lives: Tō Mātou Ao, A Mātou Pūrākau". These short, heartfelt books were written by adult learners themselves, right here in Tāmaki Makaurau. About the new books From Bamyan to Auckland by H. Dawlatyar H. Dawlatyar writes about his experience of living in the Bamyan Province, Afghanistan, and the journey his wife and six children took to New Zealand in 2022. Extraordinary by Vi'ia Tovia Su'a Lupo Vi'ia was born in Aotearoa New Zealand and is proud to be of Samoan and European heritage. She was born with cerebral palsy but doesn't let it define her. She has gained qualifications in tourism and continues to work towards achieving her goals. The River by MJT MJT recounts experiences growing up in Ngāruawāhia, ...

Our family history librarians love to help people solve mysteries about their ancestors! For better or worse, you never know what you might find when you start digging into the past. Uncovering family secrets might seem scary, but the rewards far outweigh the risks. Enjoy these stories that illustrate the good that can be done when our research resources and expertise are deployed to uncover family stories and bring people back together. Family history success stories  Tracking down family in a foreign land Determined to find information about her New Zealand birth father, in 2017, a woman flew from her home in Japan to Auckland and asked the team at Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero Central City Library for help. Her father served in J Force – the New Zealand force that took part in the occupation of Japan at the end of WWII. With only a few names and photographs to work from, Seonaid (Senior Family History Librarian), Miyuki (Senior Library Assistant) and other staff, with assistance from Auc...

Looking for budget-friendly ways to bond with your kids, keep them engaged and help them discover new passions? That little rectangle in your wallet – yes, the library card – is the key.  The library has everything your kids need to unwind, explore their interests and create lasting memories. Here’s how you can transform those "I'm bored" groans into "Wow, this is cool!" moments! Get creative at the library's Makerspace Many Auckland Council libraries have amazing Makerspace areas, where kids can get creative with 3D printers, sewing machines, and all sorts of techy tools. Imagine your child designing their own app or whipping up a funky tote bag!  Various tech is available at different libraries, and some pre-booking is required while others allow walk-in use.  Free fun at library events  We’re busy keeping kids busy! Libraries are constantly buzzing with fun activities, especially during school holidays. Some libraries even offer after school activities l...