Auckland Libraries blog

It’s official – Aucklanders are enthusiasts of books written by fellow New Zealanders! Discover the most-borrowed books that made their way from Auckland Council Libraries into the homes and hearts of Aucklanders in 2024. The year saw a rise in the popularity of Kiwi authors, with half of the 10 most borrowed books written by New Zealanders. Leading the charge and taking the top spot for 2024 was Olivia Spooner’s popular war-time love story, The Girl from London . Three memoirs by New Zealanders also made the top ten list, thanks to the success of 2024 We Read Auckland / Ka Pānui Tātou Tāmaki Makaurau. The festival featured 16 must-read local stories in the highly revered Bestie collection, showcasing some of the most in-demand books in Tāmaki Makaurau. Geronimo Stilton returned as a fan favourite in the children's fiction universe, taking the number two spot, with Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man: Twenty Thousand Fleas under the Sea knocking Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire from the to...

Audiobooks are a brilliant way to keep kids entertained while soaking in the scenery, and they let the driver focus on the road with a great story in their ears.     Remember slotting CDs into the car radio on long drives? Those beloved stories from childhood haven’t been lost in time – they’ve just gone digital! Many of the audiobooks you enjoyed as a kid are now accessible online for free through your library, along with a whole world of new stories. From laugh-out-loud comedies to magical adventures and gripping survival stories, we’ve rounded up a selection of eAudiobooks that are perfect for family road trips.  How to borrow eAudiobooks from the library Borrowing eAudiobooks is easy. Using your library card number, you can access platforms like BorrowBox , OverDrive , the Libby app and more.  Find and borrow titles via the library catalogue or directly via these online platforms. If you're searching via the catalogue, select your chosen book and find the 'eAud...

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 (pictured above) and co-published by Auckland Council Libraries and Huia, Toitū Ngā Marae: Pandemic Experiences of Marae in Tāmaki Makaurau  was released on 28 November, 2024.  Through 22 interviews with marae leaders and workers, the book 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 English. This publication will engage readers from diverse backgrounds, offering a bilingual experience that celebrate...

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, ...

  Auckland Libraries is helping to provide stress-free internet access to households without a broadband connection. Auckland Libraries is a local partner for Skinny Jump , a programme that provides access to modems and a subsidised prepaid wireless internet connection. It is available to anyone who does not have a broadband connection at home because cost is a barrier. "We already provide access to free WiFi and public computers within our libraries, but we know internet access at home is a much more effective way to address digital inclusion. "Helping to bridge the digital divide is incredibly important to Auckland Libraries, which is why we jumped at the chance to get involved with this programme" says Digital Solutions Lead, Philip Miles . Skinny Jump participating libraries Albany Village Library Avondale Library Botany Library Central City Library Epsom Library Glen Eden Library Glenfield Library Glen Innes Library Helensville Library Mahurangi East Li...