Auckland Libraries blog

Ever wondered what goes on down in the deep blue sea? Your library has the answers! We’re celebrating World Oceans Day – a time to recognise the importance of our moana (ocean) and all the life it holds. From the tiniest plankton to the mightiest whale, every creature has a part to play in keeping our oceans healthy.  To mark the occasion, our librarians have fished up some stories full of underwater wonder. These under-the-sea tales will help tamariki dive into marine adventures, spark curiosity about ocean life and learn how we can all help protect our precious waters. 1. Consider the octopus by Nora Raleigh Baskin and Gae Polisner Jeremy “JB” Barnes was expecting a summer of surfing, not tagging along with his mum on a ship studying the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. One big mix-up later, twelve-year-old ocean-podcaster Sidney sneaks aboard the ship. The two find themselves at the centre of a comedy of errors, scientific chaos and a mission that just might help save the ocean. ...

Due to maintenance, our online library services will be unavailable on 6am to 7am, Thursday 19 June. 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.

Titirangi Library is getting a major upgrade! To prepare for the refurbishment of the Titirangi War Memorial Hall and Library, Titirangi Library will close from 4pm on Saturday 14 June for two weeks.  Book bus opens 30 June From Monday 30 June , a library book bus will operate in the Titirangi Library carpark (500 South Titirangi Road), offering a reduced service throughout a 12-month construction period . Book bus opening hours: Monday to Friday: 9am–5pm Saturday: 10am–4pm (Closed for lunch daily from 12.30pm–1pm) Available services With the mobile library, you can still: pick up your requests, browse a small collection of adults' and children's books (including the Bestie collection), return items. Weekly preschool programmes will also continue nearby at Titirangi Community House . More library programmes for adults and children will run at Lopdell Precinct . Returning books during two-week closure The external return chute will also close at 4pm on 14 June. You can return b...

Autumn is the perfect time to slow down, get cosy and enjoy a good book. As the days get cooler and shorter, what better way to unwind?  Our librarians have hand-picked their top seasonal book recommendations – from soulful stories and mystical adventures to eye-opening nonfiction.  Not sure what to read this autumn? Start here with these staff favourites chosen to match the season’s shifting moods. Feasts for the soul Autumn’s reflective mood makes it an ideal time to seek out stories that nourish both the heart and the mind. This reading list delivers immersive narratives that bridge human connection and the bittersweet nature of change.  Get started with: The Candy House by Jennifer Egan. A clever, moving look at how we connect with each other in the digital age. Still Life by Sarah Winman. A beautifully written story full of warmth, art, and unexpected friendships. Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell. A sweeping, time-hopping novel that weaves different lives and stories...

Love seeing your favourite books come to life on screen? 2025 is packed with exciting adaptations, from thrilling sci‐fi and fantasy epics to beloved kids’ classics and bestselling thrillers. Whether you're eager to revisit Animal Farm before its star-studded film release or curious about how The Witcher: Sword of Destiny will tie into the next season of the Netflix series, now’s the perfect time to read ahead. Last year brought us some incredible book-to-screen adaptations – check out library list  Books coming to screens in 2024 – and this year’s lineup is just as exciting. Before these stories hit cinemas and streaming services, dive into the books first and experience them the way they were originally told. Book-to-screen adaptations in 2025 1. Mickey7 by Edward Ashton Adapted into the film Mickey 17 starring Robert Pattinson, this quirky sci‐fi tale follows an “expendable” crew member on a perilous space mission. Chosen for dangerous tasks because his body can be regene...

Personal growth comes in all shapes and sizes, and your library card is a gateway to endless knowledge beyond the bookshelf. Access LinkedIn Learning for free to explore thousands of expert-led courses – there’s something for everyone! Whether you want to improve your abilities as an artist, influencer, craftsperson or team player, these unique courses can take your self-improvement journey in unexpected directions.  How to log in to LinkedIn Learning for free Simply use your library barcode number and PIN to log in to LinkedIn Learning and start your educational journey today. Don’t have a library card yet? It's easy and free to sign up for a library card online . Learn 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. Log in using your library card to access the course:  Learning 3D Printing . Once you’...

We are changing the way we manage Research and Heritage enquiries, donations and bookings. From Tuesday 1 April 2025, all Research and Heritage enquiries will be managed on our new online platform, RefTracker. You can view your enquiry and communicate with the team via the RefTracker notification email in your inbox. Which services are moving to RefTracker? The affected processes will be: Making a booking in the heritage collections reading room Donating to the heritage collection Asking for research help from our experts What if I have an open Research and Heritage Enquiry? Any existing communications and details regarding open enquiries with the Research and Heritage Services team will be automatically moved to the new platform. From 1 April onwards, you can view your enquiry and communicate with our team via the RefTracker notification you will receive in your email inbox. How can I create a new enquiry? You will still be able to submit a request to book a reading room, donate to th...