Information for Seniors
Welcome
Welcome to another wonderful selection of the latest library arrivals featuring history, biographies, cooking, crafts, gardening, health, wellbeing and music. Delightful finds that you can read for basic information, inspiration and fresh ideas.
And there is more! If you love to talk about your favourite books and authors from New Zealand or around the world, you might like to share what you enjoy to read or, find new reads and discover new authors! Our public reading group on Goodreads has been live for a little while now. This is a book club for Wellingtonians (or Wellingtonians at heart!), set up by Wellington City Libraries. You can find out how it works though this link: www.goodreads.com/group/show/82434-wellington-reads
We'd love to hear from you if you have any questions or suggestions to make. Just Email us or make a suggestion to buy request. Have fun!
New Books at the Library
Rod: the autobiography / By Rod Stewart, (2012)
"Rod Stewart was born working-class son of a Scottish plumber in North London. He was never, as some stories later had it, a professional footballer or a gravedigger, though he did become a bit of a singer - and a fairly good one at that. This book tells the story of a guy with one hell of a voice and one hell of a head of hair". (Publisher's description)
Meet me at Begg's / By Clare Gleeson, (2012)
"Charles Begg & Co Ltd, or Begg's as it was better known, has an important place in New Zealand's social and business history. From 1861 until 1970, Begg's expanded until its network of branches and agencies covered the country from Whangarei to Invercargill. Synonymous with music, Begg's was not only a retailer but also a manufacturer of instruments, publisher of sheet music, promoter of overseas artists and supporter of music in all its facets. Coupled with this was the company's major role in bringing overseas innovations and technology to New Zealand by way of gramophones, radios, televisions and a myriad of other electrical appliances. Meet Me at Begg's looks at the history of the firm from its beginnings in Dunedin to its demise in 1970. No ordinary business history, this is an informative, warts and all account of the highs, lows, peccadilloes and successes of the Begg family and the company it founded. Lavishly designed, it contains more illustrative material and period advertisements than any other business history published in New Zealand. Historian Clare Gleeson is the great-great-grand-daughter of the firm's founder, Charles Begg. This book was developed from her masters thesis, completed at the University of Otago"(Publisher's description)
Dearie: the remarkable life of Julia Child / By Bob Spitz, (2012)
"It is rare for someone to emerge in America who can change our attitudes, our beliefs, and our very culture. It is even rarer when that someone is a middle-aged, six-foot three-inch woman whose first exposure to an unsuspecting public is cooking an omelet on a hot plate on a local TV station. And yet, that is exactly what Julia Child did. The warble voiced doyenne of television cookery became an iconic cult figure and joyous rule breaker as she touched off the food revolution that has gripped America for more than fifty years. Julia Child was a directionless, gawky young woman who ran off halfway around the world to join a spy agency during World War II. She eventually settled in Paris, where she learned to cook. She was already fifty when The French Chef went on the air, at a time in our history when women were not making those leaps. Julia became the first educational TV star, virtually launching PBS as we know it today. Julia Child's story, however, is more than the tale of a talented woman and her sumptuous craft. It is also a saga of America's coming of age and growing sophistication, from the Depression Era to the turbulent sixties and the excesses of the eighties to the greening of the American kitchen. Julia had an effect on and was equally affected by the baby boom, the sexual revolution, and the start of the women's liberation movement. On the centenary of her birth, Julia finally gets the biography she richly deserves". (Publisher's description)
The life and times of Call the midwife: the official companion to series one and two / By By Heidi Thomas, (2012)
[The series] "... is written by Heidi Tomas, who wrote the screenplays, and is already a hugely successful TV writer, with Cranford and the successful revamp of Upstairs Downstairs under her belt. But Call The Midwife is special, and this fabulous book celebrates that to perfection. For me, the most captivating passages are Heidi's personal diaries, recounting how she met Jennifer and Philip Worth to discuss casting, costumes etc., etc. The book is a veritable treasure trove of information on the midwifery profession post-war, when the series is set, and even before that, with original photographs and advertisements showing their uniforms and their equipment. There was plenty of research into who the original convent-trained midwives really were, and Heidi recounts how Jennifer eventually confirmed their true identities. This is a brilliant book, captivating, heart-warming, sometimes shocking, always entertaining, and is the perfect companion to the TV series...." (adapted from a review on Amazon.co.uk)
Fleamarket chic: the thrifty way to create a stylish home / By Liz Bauwens and Alexandra Campbell, (2012)
"In modern rooms, a distressed chair or a vintage mirror adds a perfect finishing touch. And in traditional decorating schemes, fleamarket chic is a key part of the mix: faded textiles, weathered furniture, mismatched china and the occasional flamboyant lamp or work of art are all part of the charm". (Publisher's description)
Good food made simple / By Allyson Gofton, (2013)
"All about cooking food that brings warmth to a kitchen, laughter and pleasure to a home. It's about new twists on old standbys and delicious meals made easy for the everyday cook". (Publisher's description)
Critical decisions: how you and your doctor can make the right medical choices together / By Peter Ubel, (2012)
"In this revolutionary book, practicing physician, behavioural scientist, and bioethicist Peter Ubel reveals how hidden dynamics in the doctor-patient relationship keep us, and our loved ones, from making the best medical choices. From doctors who struggle to explain, to patients who fail to properly listen, countless factors alter the course of our care, causing things to go seriously awry. Dr Ubel has been on both ends of the stethoscope and Critical Decisions will forever change the way we communicate at a time where thoughtful decision-making matters the most". (Publisher's description)
Missionaries, wives & roses / By Debora Robertson, (2012)
"Roses bred by Ken Nobbs and named after the early Far North pioneers - generally the wives of missionaries, but includes a few others also. Picture of most roses, and a biography of the person the rose is named after". (Publisher's description)
Gifts from the garden: 100 gorgeous homegrown presents / By Ann Chapman, (2012)
"Brimming with ideas from the pretty to the practical, "Gifts from the Garden" contains more than 100 projects that use the gardener's bounty throughout the seasons. Divided into Flowers and Herbs, and Fruit and Vegetables, Debora includes gifts that are edible, for your home and for your wellbeing. There are potted bulbs in teacups and decorated personal seed packets, a lavender, rose and chamomile bubble bath, flower and fruit lip balms, a tisane planter and a pizza herb window box, as well as festive wreaths and ideas for using flowers and foliage when wrapping presents. And of course delicious ideas like toffee apples, herbal teas, spice rubs, chilli jams, courgette muffins and quince vodka to name a few! So whether you want to give something practical for the home, indulgent to enjoy at bathtime, or to complement a delicious dinner, there is a present that will suit everyone". (Publisher's description)
Large Print Collection
These books have print that is larger than usual. The collection is available at Central Library and all the branches. You can find these books in the catalogue. All Large Print titles are available to borrow or reserve. If you need assistance, please phone in or ask any of our staff to show you how to place a reserve from our public access catalogue or from your home computer.
Staff Picks:
The cuckoo's child / by Marjorie Eccles
"Laura Harcourt, the plucky 21-year-old heroine of this solid stand-alone set in 1909 from British veteran Eccles (Last Nocturne), has sought her independence from her wealthy family by serving in a refuge for destitute women in London's East End. After realizing that such work is not for her, Laura accepts a position in Wainthorpe, a small Yorkshire town, to catalogue books in a 16th-century manor house owned by Ainsley Beaumont, who runs a large mill in the area. On arrival, Laura is shaken to see that a wing of the house destroyed in a fire years before remains "an empty fire-blackened shell." Later, when a man's body surfaces in the water near the mill dam, signs of blunt force trauma to the head suggest foul play. The killer's identity will surprise more than a few readers, but the book's main strength lies in the author's gift for describing people and scenery." (July) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved. (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved" - (Syndetics summary)
Top 10 of everything rugby / By Gregor Paul, (2013)
"A journey through history of international rugby, ranking the best and worst of the game in lists that cover everything from best captains, great rivalries and acts of heroism to wasted talents, scary psychos and darkest scandals" (Back cover)
Sound and Vision
Did you know there are discounts with your Leisure Card on reserves, DVDs, CDs, videos and cassettes? See our Borrowing page for more details.
You can also browse through our elibrary and use your card to download audiobooks and transfer them to your own portable device e.g. iPods, iPhones, MP3 players etc. Take a guided tour and check out our collection of available downloadable material
Staff Picks:
The intouchables [videorecording] / By the Weinstein Company / Quad Gaumont, TF1 Films production
"An irreverent, uplifting comedy about friendship, trust, and human possibility. Based on a true story of friendship between a handicapped millionaire and his street-smart ex-con caretaker, The Intouchables depicts an unlikely camaraderie rooted in honesty and humour between two individuals who, on the surface, would seem to have nothing in common" (Cover)
Argo [videorecording] / By Warner Bros. Pictures / Smokehouse Pictures production
"On November 4, 1979, Iranian militants stormed the American embassy in Tehran and captured dozens of American hostages, sparking a 444-day ordeal. There's a little-known footnote to the crisis: six Americans escaped and a mid level agent named Antonio Mendez devised an ingenious yet incredibly risky plan to rescue them." (Cover)
Quartet [original motion picture soundtrack] / [Original score by Dario Marianelli]
"-Divine music, the soundtrack from the latest movie, including famous works of Verdi, Gilbert & Sullivan, Puccini, Rossini and more" (Cover).
The pursuit of love [sound recording] / By Nancy Mitford
"Oh the tedium of waiting to grow up! Longing for love, obsessed with weddings and sex, Linda and her sisters and cousin Fanny are on the look out for the perfect lover. But finding Mr Right is much harder than any of the young ladies thought". (Back cover)"
Featured Service
Bolinda audio books are now available through the free BorrowBox app!!!
Wellington City Libraries are pleased to announce the arrival of BorrowBox - an opportunity for you to search, issue and download audio books from our Bolinda eAudio service directly to your Android tablet or smartphone, iPad or iPhone. On the app you can check your account, reserve and download titles, search or browse by subject directly. And the range is great - you'll find compelling fiction by authors like Bryce Courtney, Kate Morton and other popular fiction - ready to be added to your device, listen to and enjoy! To add the free app to your smartphone or tablet, just visit either the Google Play or iTunes app store on your device.
Papers Past
Provided by the National Library, Papers Past showcases selected 19th century New Zealand newspapers and periodicals. The site currently contains digital images of over one million pages from more than 40 publications, including searchable full text of the Evening Post from 1865-1915Collection Highlight
Featured Magazine
Who do you think you are?Have your forebears played a part in the Second World War? Are you one of those people who is trying to search for your ancestors and is unsure how to start? There is no doubt that searching can be a challenging task but you could shed light into your ancestors' lives using expert advice, tips and inspiration from family historians by browsing through the pages of this magazine.
Who do you think you are? is UK-based magazine that will help you to uncover your family's past using the latest online resources or sharing your ideas and discoveries with other readers.
Find out more about genealogy, how to research historical records and more by looking through the pages of Who do you think you are found in the History Magazines section, on the first floor of the Central Library - Arts, Music and Literature magazine collection (South End).
Our services
Genealogy
Wellington City Libraries has a wealth of information about genealogy (family history). Here are some useful links:
- Genealogy
- Whakapapa
- Genealogy magazines
- WCL Genealogy resources page
- WCL Whakapapa resources page
- Ancestry Library - for in library use only
- Find My Past: Australia/NZ, UK, Ireland - for in library use only
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.
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 maintained by Celia. My aim is to keep you up to date with our library resources which may interest you and provide links to information that may be useful to you. I'd be pleased to hear from you about this page - you can e-mail me with any feedback.
