Category: Announcements
Just a reminder – all our libraries will be closed this coming Monday (3 June) for the Queen’s Birthday public holiday. We’ll be open as usual on Saturday and Sunday – a good opportunity to stock up on reading material before Monday!
We wish all Wellingtonians a safe and happy long weekend!
Would you love to belong to a book group, but just don’t have the time? We’ve created a Goodreads group especially for Wellingtonians (or Wellingtonians at heart!), called “Wellington Reads“. This is an online group that (so far!) doesn’t meet in person, and we’d love to have you join!
If you’ve never heard of Goodreads before, you’re in for a treat. Goodreads is a social networking site (like facebook, but for books!), that lets you catalogue your own bookshelf, keep track of your reading, and follow and interact with your friends’ and favourite authors’ reading. It’s also a recommendation engine for what you might enjoy reading next — and it’s free! Head over and explore Goodreads site.
On Wellington Reads, we talk about favourite books and authors — from New Zealand, and around the world. We have a monthly challenge (our current one is nostalgia children’s fiction!), but usually no set book. Come share what you like to read, and find new reads and discover new authors!
Here’s what our members are reading in May
We look forward to seeing you there!
We’ve gained access to a whole new library of eBook titles and authors, via Bolinda Digital. Think Bolinda is just Audiobooks? Well, no longer, because Bolinda + eBooks = Reality!
We’ve acquired over 1,600 eBook EPUB format titles from major publisher Macmillian across a number of genres and reading levels from popular authors.
Think Sue Grafton, Stieg Larson, David Baldacci, C J Sansom, Matthew Reilly, Meg Cabot, Oliver Sacks and you’re on the right track.
(These limits may change depending on demand and availability)
These eBook titles are:
To enjoy these new eBook titles on a mobile device download the newly upgraded BorrowBox app (see links below for iOS and Android). BorrowBox has been updated with new eBook reader software and is all ready for eBook downloads!
On desktop computers, you can download titles from our Bolinda website straight to Adobe Digital Editions, exactly as for our OverDrive eBooks.
We hope to have extensive help documentation up very soon, in the meantime, the links above can help, or if you’re still experiencing issues or wondering how to get started, contact us via our Technical Support form.
Do you enjoy eBooks? Do you regularly download titles from our Overdrive eBook Library? If you do, then take part in this month’s Overdrive Big Library Read!
What is this, we can hear you asking? Well, library users from all over the world (including many NZ public libraries) are downloading and reading the same title on Overdrive between now and 1 June (there’s no limit on who can check this title out — we have as many simultaneous checkouts as we need!).
The book is:
The Four Corners of the Sky, by Michael Malone. Here’s a summary, see what you think:
“Twenty years is a long time to be without a father, and, for Navy pilot Annie Peregrine-Goode, the sky has become a home the earth has never been. So when her father calls out of the blue to ask for a dying wish, one both absurd and mysterious, no is the easiest of answers. Until she hears that the reward is the one thing she always wanted.” (Drawn from Syndetics)
Overdrive Big Library Read is a pilot project, but we’re really excited to see it kick off. So, if this inspires you, download the book and happy reading!
(Let us know what you think of it!)
Same frequency, 783AM, great music, but small change in content and presenters. A big thank you to Mark, Monty and Neil for their enthusiasm promoting our wonderful CD collection over the past few years! Saturday 16 March was the first of our 4 weekly new look show, although you can still listen to the podcasts on Access Radio.
On our new show (hosted by myself, Ada Nally), we play fantastic local and world music but also let you know what is new at the libraries and share services benefitting our migrant communities! This week our bilingual librarian Jinyun talks about part of our collection which may of interest to our Chinese speaking community.
We are are also promoting a special celebration of Poetic Voices of Africa in honour of 50 Years of the African Union. Poets Samson Sahele, L. E. Scott, Tony Hopkins, Wanjiku Kiarie, Makuei Aken and Inshirah Mahal will perform at
Newtown Library Tuesday 21 May 5-7 pm
and
Central Library Wednesday 22 May 5-7 pm
Both events are free!
Journey with my shadow : a collection of poetry / Samson Sahele.
“Journey with my shadow” is a collecton of poetry that exposes the reality of Africa: the human rights violations, the killings and abuses, and the harassment by dictators.
We have two great new reading tools, Novelist and Book Psychic, so that now you can get book recommendations in the right place at the right time! Most fiction titles are included, along with some popular nonfiction, including biographies. Both of these tools are available as stand alone websites, with Novelist recommendations also available through our Easyfind catalogue.
Novelist includes the following features:
Here’s what Book Psychic provides:
Want to check them out?
- Book Psychic doesn’t require a login: point your browser here and start rating books. We’re hoping to include BookPsychic within Easyfind very soon
- Novelist is already available in Easyfind – see the ‘You might also like these’ recommendations for Gone Girl. Alternatively, login to Novelist with your library card to explore the tool on its own.
Happy reading!
A bit late, but we wanted to especially extend a welcome to all the university and polytech students who’ve recently made Wellington their home – we’ve been able to say this in person to some of you, but if you haven’t visited us already, welcome! We’re excited to have you as part of the city!
If you need stress relief from exam preparations or just some time out and free wifi, we’re in the middle of the city (65 Victoria Street, photo included below, plus 11 other locations) and you can join the library for free — just bring in some personal ID (e.g. Driver’s Licence or student ID card), and some proof of your new address (any mail, e.g. letter from the university, bank statement etc.) you’ve received at your new flat or hostel. It takes about 10 minutes to join, and gives you access to a huge range of novels, fiction, magazines, DVDs, CDs, ebooks and downloadable audiobooks, not to mention, a great space for studying (you don’t actually need to be a member for this one!).
This is us, we’re a friendly bunch:
In the meantime, if you’re wanting to find out more about your new city, here are some apps you can load up on your smartphone to get to grips with what’s on offer:
This year marks the bicentenary of the publication of Jane Austen’s second novel Pride and Prejudice. In her short life she produced six novels — two published posthumously — and her work has become a cornerstone of English literature. Her novels were realistic, with romantic storylines, dashing heroes, strong willed women, some social commentary and much humour. Jane Austen’s novels have influenced and inspired many great writers, including George Eliot, Mrs Gaskell, Henry James, William Makepeace Thackeray and Anthony Trollope. After 200 years, thousands of words have been written in analysis, criticism, interpretation and praise, and these novels still influence modern writers, continue to comfort repeat readers and delight new.
The past twenty years have seen many sequels written to the Austen novels, these include Emma Tennant’s Pemberley: a sequel to Pride and Prejudice was published in 1995 and The Third sister: a sequel to Sense and Sensibility by Julia Barrett was published in 1996.
There has also been a new trend using Jane Austen’s characters in murder mysteries. The most recent by the much acclaimed author P.D. James with Death Comes to Pemberley, published in 2011.
Perhaps the most amazing example of Jane Austen’s influence is shown in Helen Fielding’s novel Bridget Jones’s Diary, published in 1996. Based on several Austen novels it was the start of a new genre in popular fiction, becoming known as Chick Lit.
So after 200 years Jane Austen’s novels are still revered, provide an inspiration to and an influence on modern fiction writers. I am sure this will last another 200 years. You have come a long way baby.
Featured here are the most recent Jane Austen influenced novels received by Wellington City Libraries. Her influence has even reached speculative fiction.
The marriage plot / Jeffrey Eugenides.
“Brown University, 1982. Madeleine Hanna, dutiful English student and incurable romantic, is writing her thesis on Jane Austen and George Eliot, authors of the great marriage plots. As Madeleine studies the age-old motivations of the human heart, real life, in the form of two very different men, intervenes.” (adapted from Amazon.co.uk)
Jane vows vengeance : a novel / Michael Thomas Ford.
“Author-turned-vampire Jane Austen wants to marry Walter, but fending off her soon-to-be mother-in-law and fear of revealing her Big Secret are not making it any fun. Walter’s invitation to join colleagues on an architectural tour of Europe leads him to suggest a wedding-slash-honeymoon. The wedding party, including their friends Lucy and Ben and Walter’s mom, Miriam, and her dog, arrive in London anticipating the happy event, but it’s not to be. This is the final book in the trilogy following, Jane Bites Back and Jane Goes Batty.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)
Pride and prejudice and zombies : dreadfully ever after / by Steve Hockensmith ; illustrations by Patrick Arrasmith.
“Four years after Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy marry, Fitzwilliam is infected with a zombie bite, and Elizabeth must find a rumoured antidote soon, or face beheading her beloved. This is the final novel in the trilogy following Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: a classic Regency romance and Dawn of the Dreadfuls.” (adapted from Book cover)
The Jane Austen marriage manual / Kim Izzo.
“Kate Shaw lost half of her money to a philandering ex and the rest to the economic downturn. When her work as a freelance beauty editor dries up, she decides to do what any smart, worldly woman of 40 would do, find a rich husband. Despite the protestations of her friends and family (except for her beloved grandmother) and armed with her favorite Jane Austen books for guidance, Kate fashions herself as Lady Kate of Loch Broom and travels to Palm Springs, St. Moritz, and London on the trail of a Mr Darcy.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)
My Jane Austen summer : a season in Mansfield Park / Cindy Jones.
“Caught in a cycle of loss, Jane Austen fan Lily jumps at the opportunity to travel to England to re-enact Mansfield Park. While there Lily thinks she may finally realize her dream of living in a novel. But even in England, where she is immersed in a literary festival so rich it seems Jane Austen is present, her problems find her.” (adapted from Book cover)
Mary Bennet / Jennifer Paynter.
“Mary Bennet has been long overshadowed by the beauty and charm of her older sisters, Jane and Elizabeth, and by the forwardness and cheek of her younger sisters, Kitty and Lydia. From her post in the wings of the Bennet family, Mary now watches as Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy, and Mr Wickham, glide into her sisters’ lives. While she can view these three gentlemen quite dispassionately (and, as it turns out, accurately), can she be equally clear-sighted when she finally falls in love herself?” (adapted from Book cover)
Our Overdrive downloadable eBooks and eAudiobooks have a brand new look, as well as some nice features and enhancements to the service. Click through below to have a browse!
We’re also excited about the new one-step process for borrowing eBooks. So excited, we found a video:
This March, we have a special offer on our music and doco DVDs — two for the price of one for the whole of March!
Expand your musical horizons and get schooled up this March with this great two for one offer on issues from our extensive documentary and music DVD collections. Below you’ll find some of our favourite doco and music DVD picks to give you some ideas!
To be and to have (2002) (French language doco with English subtitles)
“Charting the events within a small single-class village school over the course of one academic year, Être et avoir takes a warm look at primary education in the French heartlands.” (Library Catalogue)
Young @ Heart (2007)
“Young at Heart Chorus is based in Northampton, Massachusetts. See the final weeks of rehearsal for the group, whose average age is 81 and many of whom must overcome health adversities to participate. Their music is unexpected, going against the stereotype of their age group, performing songs that range from James Brown to Coldplay. The group has toured Europe and sung for royalty. Now they are focusing on preparing new songs, not an easy endeavor, for a concert in their home town.” (Library Catalogue)
The corporation (2003)
“Examines the far-reaching repercussions of the corporationʾs increasing preeminence and is a timely, critical inquiry that invites CEOs, whistle-blowers, brokers, gurus, spies, players, pawns and pundits on a graphic and engaging quest to reveal the corporationʾs inner workings, curious history, controversial impacts and possible futures. Featuring illuminating interviews with Noam Chomsky, Michael Moore, Howard Zinn and many others, The Corporation charts the spectacular rise of an institution aimed at achieving specific economic goals as it also recounts victories against this apparently invincible force.” (Library Catalogue)
Bill Cunningham New York (2012)
“For decades, Bill Cunningham has been obsessively and inventively chronicling fashion trends and high society charity soirées for the New York Times Style section in his columns ‘On the Street’ and ‘Evening Hours.’ Presented is a delicate, funny and often poignant portrait of a dedicated artist whose only wealth is his own humanity and unassuming grace” (DVD cover).
Inside job (2010)
“An analysis of the global financial crisis of 2008, which, at a cost of over $20 trillion, caused millions of people to lose their jobs and homes in the worst recession since the Great Depression, and nearly resulted in a global financial collapse. Through exhaustive research and extensive interviews with key financial insiders, politicians, journalists, and academics, traced is the rise of a rogue industry which has corrupted politics, regulation, and academia. Narrated by Matt Damon.” (Library Catalogue)
It might get loud (2010)
“Music resonates, moves and inspires us. But when three guitar virtuosos from three generations, get together to jam, swap stories and share their passion for the most influential instrument in rock ‘n’ roll history: the electric guitar…it does more. Now you can get up close and personal and discover how a furniture upholsterer from Detroit (Jack White), a session musician from London (Jimmy Page) and a seventeen-year-old Dublin schoolboy (The Edge) each used the electric guitar to develop their unique sound and rise to rock legends” [DVD cover]
Shine a light (c.2008)
“It’s the Rolling Stones as you have never seen them before. A musical event capturing all the fire, soul and raw power of the World’s Greatest rock band. Classical band clips, exclusive behind-the-scenes moments and concert footage.” (Library catalogue)
Shihad [videorecording] : beautiful machine (2012)
“For over 20 years, Shihad has defined New Zealand rock music. From their roots in Wellington’s furious 90’s punk metal scene, to the wild Berlin days, the tragic overdose of their manager, the international explosion of The General Electric, and the infamous American name-change, Shihad: Beautiful Machine asks what went wrong? More than a documentary, this is an all-access pass to an extraordinary rock saga, charting a legendary band’s fight with fame, fortune, the industry, and finally – itself.” [DVD cover]
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WCL has over 600,000 books, 450,000 magazines, and 85,000 CDs, DVDs, videos and other items at our central library and 11 branches. We are located in New Zealand's capital city, Wellington. Looking for your local branch? Have a look at our Library Locations page.
