Āwhina īWhare Pukapuka - eLibrary help
Need help getting started with one of our online resources or apps? Find guides and troubleshooting tips
What resources can I access from home?
Just about all our eResources are available from home, with the exception of Ancestry Library and FindMyPast (these are only available on our library computers).
Why is this eResource asking me to make an account?
Some eResouces may ask you to create an account with them for which you may have to create a login and password that are separate from your library account details. An account may be necessary to allow you to:
- save your progress or scores, for example if you're learning a language
- create personalised lists of favourites, e.g. newspapers you regularly access
I get a message that I can't access an eResource because my library card is blocked, why is this?
Some eResources may not be accessed if you have over a certain amount owing on your library card, just as you can't borrow physical items if your card is blocked. We recommend getting in touch via email and we will do our best to help - enquiries@wcl.govt.nz
Getting started with eBooks & eAudiobooks - what do I need to know?
We have two main suppliers of eBooks and eAudiobooks - Libby (OverDrive), and BorrowBox.
These two sources have different strengths:
Libby (by OverDrive) is our more popular service, has more content, and is a good option to get started with.
BorrowBox has a lot of Australian content, and is more heavily skewed towards eAudiobooks, but has eBooks too.
Together, they provide access to a good range of material.
Please note: none of our eBook options work with Kindle eReaders.
We recommend: start with Libby, and then try BorrowBox if you'd like access to more content.
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Libby
Libby is OverDrive's simplified site and app. Read and listen to eBooks, eMagazines & eAudiobooks — over 66,000 titles available.
How many Libby titles can I borrow and reserve?
You can borrow and reserve 20 titles each at any one time. There is no limit to the amount of magazine issues you can borrow .
If a reserve becomes available you can select to have it delivered later if you do not want to borrow it immediately.
Apps for Android and iOS
- Install the Libby App from your device’s app store via the links above:
- In Libby, follow the prompts to find and add our library: Wellington City Libraries.
- When prompted, enter your Library card number and PIN. Your Library card number can be found on the back of your library card. Need help with your PIN?
Once your card is set up, you can find more information about using the app at the links below:
Desktop and eReaders
If you have a Windows computer, Mac computer, or a Chromebook, you can use Libby in your web browser. We suggest using the latest version of Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge.
You can read and listen in your web browser, or download Adobe DRM files to transfer to an eReader:
Transferring to an eReader from Libby (requires Adobe Digital Editions)
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BorrowBox
eAudiobooks & eBooks (mainly eAudiobooks) from Australia's leading provider — over 4800 titles
How many items on BorrowBox can I borrow at one time?
You can borrow 25 eBooks and 25 eAudiobooks at any one time. Items that are checked out have a three week loan period.
Please note that holds count towards your limit, e.g. For example you may have five eBook holds which means you can only borrow twenty further eBooks.
You can see how many titles you have checked out and your reserves in the right hand side of the page when you are logged in. Further details such as dates for return are available beneath Active Loans/Reserves in your My Account page.
How do I reset my BorrowBox App?
iOS
Navigate to the Settings tab, go to the Account Details section and press the Reset button. Please note that all current downloads will be lost. You will then be asked to sign in again.
Android
Press the Menu button at the top right of the screen or on some devices below the screen and select Account Details. On the following screen select the Reset App option.
Downloading eAudiobook files in parts
If you are on mobile data or have selected a large eAudiobook to download, you may want to use the option of downloading in parts, and just download the initial few parts you plan to listen to on the go.
Windows/Mac Desktop options
eAudiobook files can also be directly downloaded and transferred to MP3 players via a desktop computer. To download an eAudiobook to your desktop you only require a media manager or media device that is MP3 compatible. Most computers already have these installed. For example most Windows computers have Windows Media Player or VLC player and Mac computers will have iTunes.
To download eBooks to a desktop computer (PC/Mac), you will require Adobe Digital Editions.
For eAudiobooks - What is a .zip file and how to I unzip it?
A .zip file is a file that has been compressed to reduce its size making it quicker to download. To unzip your downloaded audiobook depends on what system you are using: PC - Locate your downloaded eAudiobook folder, right click and select "Extract All" then follow the prompts to finish unzipping. MAC- Locate your eAudiobook folder, then double click to unzip. For MAC users we reccomend using Safari as your internet browser as unzipping occurs automatically. For those running the latest MAC OS, depending on your settings the eAudiobook may automatically populate into iTunes.
Remember your eAudiobook folder will be located where you have set up your internet browser to download to (Downloads, Desktop etc).
How do I play my BorrowBox eAudioBook on a desktop computer?
In order to listen to your eAudiobook in a Media Manager, you need to ensure that you have extracted (unzipped - see the instructions above) the files. For Windows Media Player: open Windows Media Player then drag and drop extracted folder into the main window of Windows Media Player.
To find your eAudiobook, make sure you are in the Music Library of Windows Media Player, then click on Album and scroll down to the corresponding first letter of the title.
Please note if the title has a prefix like "The", it will be sorted by the second word of the title. For iTunes: open iTunes then drag and drop the extracted folder into your Music library
To download an ebook to PC/Mac
Make sure that you have installed Adobe Digital Editions. If you haven't installed this software yet, please visit the Adobe Digital Editions download page and follow the installation instructions provided. On first launch of Adobe Digital Editions click on Help > Authorize Computer. In the following screen choose Adobe ID from the dropdown menu and enter your Adobe ID and password. If you don't have an Adobe ID yet please click on the Create an Adobe ID link on the right hand side or visit the Adobe login website and click on Get an Adobe ID.
On the download page press the Download eBook button. When you get a pop-up dialogue box asking you whether you would like to Open, Run or Save, make sure that you select Open With and choose Adobe Digital Editions. Adobe Digital Editions will then import the eBook file and you can find it in the Borrowed section on the left side.
To transfer an eBook to an eReader device
Attach your eReader device to your computer. It should appear in Adobe Digital Editions in the list on the left side. Now just drag the eBook onto the device.
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Kanopy
Streaming film — over 30,000 titles from around the world. Includes Kanopy Kids. Login requires an adult membership type.
Who can access it?
It's available to Wellington City adult residents, ratepayers and workers — access it with your library membership. Not a member? Find about more about joining.
How many movies can I watch?
You'll get 18 tickets per month and those tickets will reset at the beginning of each month. When you select a film or television episode to watch you'll be alerted to the number of tickets that apply.
Note: Films on Kanopy have a limited viewing period, and you can watch the film as many times as you like during the viewing period without using more tickets.
(Kanopy Kids content and The Great Courses collection are the exception and don't count against your tickets.)
How do I use it?
To watch movies:
- Select the "Visit" link above or download the app of your choice above
- You'll be prompted to add a library card — enter and confirm your library card number and then library PIN
- Once you've completed this step, you'll be prompted to create a Kanopy account with an email address and password (this is what you will use normally to sign in) — then away you go!
Films can be streamed from any internet connected device including computers, phones or tablets. A Kanopy TV app is also available for smart TVs.
For more in-depth information please see Kanopy's FAQs
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Beamafilm
Streaming film — over 500 international movies and documentaries, with a strong Australasian focus. Login requires an adult membership type.
Who can access it?
It's available to anyone who holds a Wellington City Libraries' adult membership card (any adult membership card type). Just login using your library card details, then create a Beamafilm account to start watching movies.
How many movies can I watch?
You'll get 6 movie credits per month, which means you'll be able to watch 6 movies for free, and those credits will reset at the beginning of each month.
How do I access it?
- Select the "Visit" link above or download the app of your choice above.
- Enter your library card number to confirm you're a member of Wellington City Libraries
- Create your Beamafilm account with your email address and password, and start watching! (Once you've completed this process, use this email/password combination to log in on your next visit)
Films can also be streamed from any internet connected device including computers, phones or tablets. A Beamafilm TV app is also available for smart TVs.
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Story Box Library
Streaming storytimes — preschool & primary school age stories read aloud on video by amazing authors & storytellers.
- Download the app from your respective store or select 'Visit' to view in your browser (links above)
- Click 'Log in with Library Access'
- Select 'Wellington City Libraries' from the drop-down box and enter your library card number and PIN — make sure to tick the boxes for the different terms and conditions
- Now you can create and save personal playlists to share with your child on the go. Please note that the StoryBox app requires data or an Internet connection to play the videos
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PressReader
Same day access to full-page replicas of newspapers & magazines from NZ and around the world in 60+ languages.
How do I access PressReader?
To read PressReader content, you will need your library card number and your PIN.
Apps for Android and iOS:
You can download the app for Android and iOS devices at the links above.
How do I add my library login to the app?
Once you've installed the app, open it up and follow these steps:
- Click the sign in button in the top left corner
- Select the 'Library Card' option
- Search for 'Wellington City Libraries' > Click to select us as your library
- Enter your Library card number, and your PIN, and click the 'Sign in' button (also tick the 'Stay signed in' checkbox to save your login)
In the browser:
- Select the 'Visit' link above
- You'll need to login with your library card details so it can create your PressReader account:
- Click 'Sign in' in the top right-hand corner
- Click on the 'Library and Group' button
- In the 'Select Library' box that pops up, search for 'Wellington City Libraries' > Click on our Library logo to select this as your library
- Enter your Library card number, and your PIN
- Select the box authorising Pressreader to validate your account
- Select the box to stay signed in so you do not have to validate in your next session.
- Click 'Log In'.
- When prompted to set up an account, enter your details so that you can save favourite newspapers and magazines. Alternatively you can choose "No Thanks" and not set up an account.
Stuff Ltd NZ papers — in-library only
Please note that in 2019, Stuff Ltd made a change to their New Zealand papers on PressReader so that they are now only available to view on library computers or by using a phone or device connected to library wifi – they can no longer be accessed remotely outside of a Wellington City Libraries branch.
Stuff Ltd papers include The Post and The Press.
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LinkedIn Learning
Unlimited access to over 12,000 online video courses — topics include IT, business, design & more.
On a desktop browser
To get started with LinkedIn Learning on a browser, select the 'Visit' link above and log in with your library card.
How to set up the Mobile App for LinkedIn Learning
- You can download the app for Android and iOS devices at the links above.
- Open the app and click 'Sign in with your library card' (underneath the form)
- Important!: In the 'Library ID' field, enter our library ID — wellingtoncitylibraries and continue
- Enter your library card number and PIN — you should be all set up
If you find you need to re-enter the entire Library ID URL, not just the 'wellingtoncitylibraries', you can copy/paste here:
www.linkedin.com/learning-login/go/wellingtoncitylibraries
Please note:
- Inside of individual course videos in the app, you also have the option to download courses for offline viewing.
- Our library subscription does not support the creation of personal accounts or certificates, your course dashboard will show your completion steps.
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Naxos Music Library
Streaming music — over 276,000 tracks from 19,000 CDs. Classical, jazz, blues, world music & more.
- Download the app from your respective store (links above).
- If you have a Member Playlist account, your email address and password will also act as your login credentials for the NML mobile apps.
- If you do not have a Member Playlist account yet, sign up on the library playlist page, when you're logged into the desktop site (look for 'Playlists' in the navigation).
- Complete the registration process by clicking the activation link in your email.
- The email address and password you register with will act as your login credentials for the NML mobile apps. Now you can create and save personal playlists, and enjoy NML everywhere through the mobile apps.
Under certain rare circumstances, it can take up to 15 minutes for your Member Playlist account registration to be completed. Further, you can also access the web version with the same email address and password.
Please note — access expires
Periodically your access to the app will expire. To log back in, you first need to:
- Open your browser and log into Naxos via the library website, with your library card details
- Once inside Naxos and authenticated as a Wellington City Libraries borrower, click on 'Playlists' in the navigation and sign in to your member playlist (as above)
- Your Naxos member playlist account should now be reactivated and ready to access the app — you can now open the app and sign in
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Naxos Jazz Library
Streaming music — over 210,500 tracks of jazz from more than 17,930 CDs. Includes over 32,000 jazz artists.
Please note: If you already have a Member Playlist account for Naxos Music Library (above) — this will also work for Naxos Jazz Library.
- Download the app from your respective store (links above).
- If you have a Member Playlist account, your email address and password will also act as your login credentials for the Naxos Jazz Library mobile apps.
- If you do not have a Member Playlist account yet, sign up on the library playlist page, when you're logged into the desktop site (look for 'Playlists' in the navigation).
- Complete the registration process by clicking the activation link in your email.
- The email address and password you register with will act as your login credentials for the Naxos Jazz Library mobile apps. Now you can create and save personal playlists, and enjoy NJL everywhere through the mobile apps.
Under certain rare circumstances, it can take up to 15 minutes for your Member Playlist account registration to be completed. Further, you can also access the web version with the same email address and password.
Please note — access expires
Periodically your access to the app will expire. To log back in, you first need to:
- Open your browser and log into Naxos via the library website, with your library card details
- Once inside Naxos and authenticated as a Wellington City Libraries borrower, click on 'Playlists' in the navigation and sign in to your member playlist (as above)
- Your Naxos member playlist account should now be reactivated and ready to access the app — you can now open the app and sign in
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New York Times
Offers our members the opportunity to login each day with your library card details and claim a “group pass” which gives 24 hours’ access to their websites & smartphone app. (Please note: the expiry time for your 24 hours access is given in US Eastern Time, and an initial nytimes.com email/password registration is required.) Provides access to the searchable archive from 1851-1922 and 1981-present
To get started:
- Log in with your library card number and PIN at the link above
- Once you've authenticated your library card, create or login with an existing email/password account with The New York Times
- Choose your reading preferences, or skip that option, and you're all set!
Once you've activated your Group Pass, it is valid for 24 hours. Please note: the expiry time for your 24 hours access is given in US Eastern Time. To renew your pass another day, repeat the process above.
Included in the pass as well is access to the searchable archive from 1851-1922 and 1981-present.
Please note: the New York Times Cooking and Games sections are not included in the Group Pass access.
New York Times apps
Once you've activated your New York Times' Group Pass, you can use the email/password account you subsequently create to log in and use the New York Times' apps while your Group Pass is active.
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Mango Languages
Learn a new language with Mango Languages! Access interactive lessons for over 70 languages and start speaking today.
You can create your own free profile account to track your progress or go straight in to languages without creating a profile account (you won't be able to save your progress this way).
Can I use the Mango app?
Yes! To use the Mango app, create a Mango profile first through the Mango desktop site. Once you've downloaded the relevant app to your device from the links above, you can use this profile to login and get started.
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givME
Offers access to more than 4,000 scholarships and awards for individuals. Part of the Generosity NZ suite of resources – the largest digital search facility for funding information in Aotearoa. See also givUS – for access to more than 1,200 grants and schemes for community groups. -
givUS
Offers access to more than 1,200 grants and schemes for communities, volunteer organisations, schools, groups, sport clubs and iwi. Part of the Generosity NZ suite of resources – the largest digital search facility for funding information in Aotearoa. See also givME – for access to more than 4,000 scholarships and awards for individuals.
Which service should I use?
- GivME — offers access to more than 4,000 scholarships and awards for individuals
- GivUS — provides access to more than 1,200 grants and schemes for communities, volunteer organisations, schools, groups, sport clubs and iwi
Getting started
To get started:
- Login with your library card number and PIN to either givME or givUS
- Once you've authenticated your library card, create an email/password account with the Generosity online service — once you've done this, you can come back directly to Generosity and log in with your email/password combination in future
- Choose your search and funding preferences, and begin looking for funding sources