Information for Seniors
- New books |
- Large print |
- Sound & vision |
- Housebound |
- Talking books |
- Smartview & Zoomtext |
- Community Centre |
- Useful websites (Incl. Seniornet)
New Books at the Library
- The life and times of Auckland: the colourful story of a city
- By Gordon McLauchlan. (2008)
- " Since pre-European times, Auckland has been culturally different from the rest of the country. Today, it is culturally and ethnically diverging further. Its city life is a rowdy coming together of diverse people, implicit with opportunity and excitement. As described in the book, Auckland's past is no different from its present and packed with colourful stories." (Cover)
Dolls' houses: from the V&A Museum of Childhood- By Halina Pasierbska. (2008)
- "This beautifully illustrated book highlights the Victoria and Albert Museum of Childhood's world class collection of dolls' houses. They are micrcosms of the eras in which they were created, tracing their development from German miniature houses intended as teaching aids and the exquisite Dutch cabinet houses illustrating the wealth and worldy links of their owners, to the dolls' houses of today. The specially commissioned photography reveals the astonishing skill and craft required to create a home in this mineature scale - showing every detail of household life." (Cover)
The resistance: the French fight against the Nazis- By Matthew Cobb. (2009)
- "The French resistance to Nazi occupation during World War II was a struggle in which ordinaary people fought for their liberty, despite terrible odds and horrifying repression. This bvook captures both the complexity and high drama of the French resistance, and how it became part of the establishment at the end of the war." (Cover)
Magnificent desolation: the long journey home from the moon- By Buzz Aldrin with Ken Abraham. (2009)
- "Forty years ago, Buzz Aldrin became the second human - minutes after Neil Armstrong - to set foot on the Moon. The event remains one of mankind's greatest achievements and Aldrin described what he saw as 'magnificent desolation'. Made famous by this event, few know the rest of the story. Here Aldrin gives us a harrowing account of the lunar landing that came within seconds of failure, and his view of the space programme. He talks of his trials - and triumphs -back on Earth. From glory of being part of the mission that fulfilled President Kennedy's challenge to reach the Moon, Aldrin returned home to an Air Force career stripped of purpose or direction other than as a public relations tool that NASA used in a nonstop world tour. The twin demons of depression and alcoholism emerged - the first Aldrin confronted early and publicly and the second he met with denial until it nearly killed him. This is the human story of a genuine hero." (Amazon.co.uk)
Tout sweet: hanging up my high heels for a new life in rural France - By Karen Wheeler. (2009)
- "This is such a great read it's an extremely funny and true account of a woman starting a new life in France....alone. While seeking to attract a handsome and 'useful' male, the author is equally dodging unsuitables. You cannot help but love her natural enthusiasm and her fun personality. Karen Wheeler's writing brings her experiences vividly to life to make this first book a real page turner. Hilarious and brilliant." (Amazon.co.uk reviewer)
Wildflower: an extraordinary life and untimely death in Africa- By Mark Seal. (2009)
- "The biography of dedicated and world-reknowned environmentalist, Joan Root, who murdered in her home beside Kenya's beautiful Lake Naivasha. Was this a random murder or a contract killing by enemies she had made in her efforts to protect Kenya's wildlife? This is an inspirational history covering her early days in Kenya, her personal life, and groundbreaking wildlife filmmaking and protection of her lakeshore community's fragile ecosystem." (Cover)
Large Print Collection
These books have print that is larger than usual. The collection is available at Central and all branches. You can find the recent additions to our Large Print collection, or all the Large Print items in our catalogue. All Large Print titles are available to borrow or reserve. If you need to any of our staff can show you how to make your own reserves from our public access catalogues or from your home computer.
Staff Picks:
A taste to die for - By J.G. Goodhind. (2007)
- "Chefs can be arrogant, competitive and downright murderous at times, so when Bath International Taste Extravaganza (BITE for short) organize a best chef competition, Honey Driver, the Hotels' Association police liaison officer, senses trouble. Her instinct proves correct when the winning chef is found dead in his own kitchen. Then a second, and a third...On top of this Honey's mother has fallen for the charms - and the white Rolls Royce - of a wealthy butcher, supplier to the catering trade. Is he after her mother's body - well preserved as it is - or is he after the hotel's meat order? Honey's own relationship with dishy DCI Doherty is on hold. He's too tired, and the pressure is on to find the murderer. Is this a case of past grievances? And once it's solved, will Honey finally get her man? " (Amazon.co.uk)
Playing the enemy: Nelson Mandela and the game that made a nation- By John Carlin. (2009)
- "In June 1995, Nelson Mandela conquered the hearts of white South Africa and united his country, black and white, behind their rugby team. This is the extraordinary story of the journey until the day of the final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup when the Springboks faced New Zealand's all-conquering All Blacks. At stake was not a sporting trophy but the country. When Nelson Mandela appeared wearing a Springboks jersey and led the all-white Afrikaner-dominated team in singing South Africa's new national anthem, he conquered the hearts of white South Africa. This book tells the extraordinary human story of how that moment became possible. It shows how a sport, once the preserve of South Africa's Afrikaans-speaking minority, came to unify the new rainbow nation, and how, occasionally, something as simple as a game really can help people to rise above themselves and see beyond their differences." (Amazon.co.uk)
The dog whisperer: how to train your dog using its own language- By Graeme Sims. (2009)
- "Reverend Graeme Sims's fifteen dogs follow his every command as if they can read his mind. But their willingness is down to an enlightened training method using his technique of dog whispering, which is based on the idea of treating the dogs as partners not as servants and human and dog learning to understand each other. This detailed, step-by-step instruction book shows you how to communicate properly with your dog, including guidelines on: how to choose the right breed, or whether you're the right owner for a dog, and other training tips." (Amazon.co.uk)
Godiva- By Nerys Jones. (2008)
- "This novel is one of the most moving and profound I have read for years. The precision of the historical detail and the generosity of the characterisation make it an enjoyable book from which you can learn and upon which you can reflect." (Amazon.co.uk reviewer)
Sound and Vision
Did you know there are discounts on with your Community Services Card on DVD, video, CD and cassette? See our Borrowing page for more details.
Staff Picks:
Man of the year- Comedy superstar Robin Williams plays Tom Dobbs, a comedian who made it to the top by telling it like it is. When he decides to run for President to unleash his trademark comic rants on the powers-that-be, something extraordinary happens - he wins! This irreverent comedy hit shows that computers are fallible. with an all-star cast this could be the best comedy of the year!" Produced, written and directed by Barry Levinson. Universal Pictures, 2007.
- English for the deaf/hard of hearing."
Trials of life. The complete series Man of the yearFeatured Magazine
- Taste
- This monthly magazine has lots of recipes, as you would expect, and all the ingredients are readily available in New Zealand. Interesting articles on regional food, teen food or fresh ideas for times when you want something a little different. Recipes usually are short and straightforward, and can be usually be made within the hour - obviously not for slow cooking like soups, cassoulet, pot roasts etc. Interviews and book reviews this is a great 'foodie' magazine.
Found in the Food and Wine magazines, on the first floor of the Central Library's Science and Humanities magazine collection (North End).
Mezzanine Community Centre Reopened:
Reopened for Senior Groups to carry out activities and meetings, from Monday to Friday between 9.30 am and 3.30 pm. At the moment the following programme is running:
| Time: | Event: |
|---|---|
| Mondays 2.00pm - 3.30pm | English Conversation Classes |
| Thursdays 10.00am - 11.30am | Beginners Ballroom Dancing |
| Fridays 10.00am - 11.30am | Tai Chi Classes |
| 4th Tuesday of the month, 10am - 2pm | Embroidery Group |
| Last Wednesday of the month, 1.30pm - 3.30pm | Grey Power Central |
Also available are...
Basic Computer Training:
Basic computer training is available at $2.00 per hour, please fill in the booking sheet, which is situated on the computer table and the tutor will contact you to arrange a suitable time.
Free Legal Advice:
Wellington Community Law Centre offer free legal advice here each Thursday from 1.15pm.
Interested? Get in touch:
If you belong to a senior group and would like to use this space to meet or carry out an activity Monday - Friday between 9.30am - 3.30pm, please contact:
Helen Young, Community Advisor, Seniors
Wellington City Council, Phone: 801 3532
Events at the library
Living Well
A week of free workshops for everyone aged over 55.
Want to keep active and learn something new?
Come to a free workshop - topics include: gardening, yoga, estate planning, jewellery care and antiques. Lots of opportunities to ask questions.
Tuesday 13 - Friday 16 October at a branch library near you.
Tea and Tales:
Tea and Tales is now at Tawa, Johnsonville and Kilbirnie Libraries. At the Tawa Library Tea and Tales are held on the first Tuesday of the month, 10.30 to 11.30; at Johnsonville on the first Wednesday of the month, 2pm; and at Kilbirnie Library on the fourth Thursday of the month, from 10.30 to 11.30. Library staff read from some of their favourite books or poetry, and now some of those coming also volunteer their contributions. Library staff would love you to join them for this time of friendship and pleasure.
Our services
Talking Book Borrowers:
If you have any kind of sight impairment or can no longer hold a book comfortably please visit our webpage for talking book borrowers. You can also call us on 801 4121 or visit the staff on the 2nd floor of the Central Library on Victoria Street.
Housebound Customers:
Information about becoming a Housebound customer
Residents and ratepayers who are permanently or sometimes temporarily housebound through long-term illness, disability or frailty are eligible for free home delivery service. If you are unable to make a trip to the Library and are aged between 13 and 103 this could be for you. Please visit our Housebound webpage or call us on 801 4044 for more information.
Smartview and ZoomText:
Smartview makes seeing things much easier for people with low vision and ordinary eyesight. It is great for photos, letters and documents and is adjustable for particular eye conditions. Find the Smartview on the Ground Floor at the Central library by the Large Print Collection.
ZoomText is available on the Second Floor free internet computer at the Central Library. ZoomText enlarges font size on web pages and electronic documents (email, newspaper databases etc) and can be set to read these aloud or display in high contrast large print.
MyLibrary:
Wellington City Libraries have a useful service available online called MyLibrary. This allows customers to create and customise a page on our website with links to our collections or services that are of interest. Each month recent picks from the latest material available in each of the selected areas, for example Fiction, Gardening, Cooking or History will be listed along with many others. Links to relevant Databases and Popular Topics are updated regularly; and customers can also add links to their own favourite websites.
This service is absolutely free, just be sure to include your email address when signing up so the subject areas you are interested in will be emailed to you.
Collection Highlight
Genealogy
Wellington City Libraries has a wealth of information about genealogy (family history). Here are some useful links:
Useful websites
- The Seniornet site contains comprehensive and up to date or their activities. Great for help on anything you may be trying to do on the net.
- The British Library has an online gallery called Sacred which 'discovers' what we share. With videos, podcasts and interactive features to complement the sacred texts you can discover how Judaism, Christianity and Islam have so much in common.
- Sermons by Bible: these are available on an American website. These are from the Old and New Testaments. You can also search for sermons by topic, speaker, staff pics and top sermons.
- WCL's guide for mature employment seekers or jobseekers over 45
- University of the Third Age (U3A)
Generally known as U3A, the University of the Third Age is a fast growing, informal learning environment for older adults. Each U3A group offers a range of small classes, discussion groups and larger meetings with visiting speakers. Classes are often held in private homes and are held in the daytime to suit retired people. Costs are kept to a minimum. This is a university in the original sense of the word, open to all with no admission requirements, no examinations and no awards. To locate a New Zealand branch, try U3A Online
and for Wellington click on the link above. - Grownups (www.grownups.co.nz)
This site caters for the 50+ community. Includes everything you could possibly want/need. - NZedge (www.nzedge.com)
Home to a global community of New Zealanders, a new way of thinking about our identity, people, stories, achievements and role in the world. Travellers may enjoy NZedge with its great links for other NZ sites, and for connecting NZ expatriots to each other. - Age Concern (www.ageconcern.org.nz)
Age Concern is a non-governmental not-for-profit organisation working to promote the rights and well being of older people, koroua and kuia. Positive ageing is not about how to live longer nor how to avoid growing old. Its about celebrating older age. It provides information and services including accredited visiting, elder abuse and neglect prevention, and health promotion. There is much information on resources available for older people and ageing issues. It has links to other national and international websites. - Eldernet (www.eldernet.co.nz)
This site provides relevant and comprehensive information about services available for older people. It includes a database of resthomes, residential care and retiremment villages, home help, community groups and public hospitals. - Funding Information Service (www.wcl.govt.nz/mygateway/commfund.html)
If your community group is looking for funding use this free database to find which is the best source for your needs. - The Retirement Commission of New Zealand is largely devoted to financial issues, there is much food for thought.
- Gale Health and Wellness Resource Center
Contains thousands of magazines, journals, newspapers, definitions, directories, and information on: Fitness, Medicine, Nutrition, Diseases, Prescription Drugs, Herbal remedies, and alternative or complementary treatments, and more. - SeniorNet
Gives people over the age of 55 an opportunity to learn more about the new communication and information technology. With learning centres throughout the country, there's sure to be one located conveniently for you. - Raising Grandchildren
A New Zealand site that aims to provide support to grandparents who are primary caregivers to grandchildren in difficult circumstances and to ensure fair treatment from the legal and child protection services in New Zealand, in order to stabilise and normalise the lives of the children involved.
Feedback on this page?
This page is prepared by our Seniors Customer Specialist and staff of the Housebound and Talking Book Services.
A NEW name for the Seniors page? Do you think of yourself as a Senior? If not, how do you describe yourself? A Baby boomer? Superannuitant? I would love to hear your views on whether the name of this page should be changed to something that better reflects how you think of yourselves. Please email me at toni.finkle@wcc.govt.nz.
