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Christopher Doig

Matariki Teachers' Resource [updated]

Christchurch City Libraries has updated this Matariki learning resource pack for teachers of pupils in Years 1 to 8. Full of practical examples and ideas, this resource can be used to incorporate Matariki into subjects such as art, dance, English, science, social science and social studies.

RSS: New Fiction

All of the fiction that arrived over the past week.

RSS: New Non-fiction

All the non-fiction books that arrived over the past week.

RSS: Just Ordered

All the items ordered over the past week.

Budget 2012

Background information on the government's 2012 Budget which will be delivered on Thursday 24 May 2012.

Canadian Library Association Children and Young Adult Book Awards [updated]

The Canadian Library Association presents 3 awards annually: the Book of the Year Award for Children, the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Award for Illustration and the Young Adult Canadian Book Award. We have updated our lists to include the 2012 winners.

Biography and Memoir May 2012 newsletter

Go to our May Biography and Memoir newsletter online. You can subscribe to our newsletters to receive them as an email.

Thrillers and Suspense May 2012 newsletter

Go to our May Thrillers and Suspense newsletter online. You can subscribe to our newsletters to receive them as an email.

Samoan Language Week 27 May - 2 June 2012

Talofa. Christchurch City Libraries is celebrating Samoan Language Week for the first time. This year's theme is "O le Vafealoa'i Strong and Respectful Relationships".

Matariki events calendar

During Matariki we celebrate our unique place in the world. We give respect to the whenua on which we live, and admiration to our mother earth, Papatuanuku. Throughout Matariki we learn about those who came before us: our land, our history, our family.

Unfaithful Ways

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The Eastern

This folk/country group has only been in existence for a few years (from approximately 2006) but they have already made a big impact, particularly in Christchurch.

Flip Grater

Indie artist Flip Grater has been performing since around 2003.

Hans Christian Andersen Award [updated]

The Hans Christian Andersen Award, considered to be the most prestigious award in international children's literature, is given biennially by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) to a living author and illustrator whose complete works are judged to have made a lasting contribution to children's literature.

Mobile Library bus back in operation

The Mobile Library bus is back in operation. Service will be delivered from the bus, rather than from temporary vehicles as previously advised.

Blogging the Auckland Writers and Readers Festival

Get the latest coverage on our blog.

Popular Culture May 2012

Patti Smith, Metallica's Cliff Burton, and tales from fans of Queen - in this month's list of new and interesting reads.

Hay's Ltd [updated]

Hay's Ltd was known as "The Friendly Store where everything is different" and was well known in Christchurch for fifty years. This page is a history of the store.

Sir Hamish Hay [updated]

Former Christchurch mayor Sir Hamish Grenfell Hay died on 7 September 2008, aged 80. Our page has information on his life and career.

Learning music [updated]

This page lists music tuition options from community information directory CINCH and links to library resources

Winter solstice [updated]

Find out more about the winter solstice - when the Earth's axis is furthest away from the sun - the longest night of the year.

If you like... Fantasy [updated]

We have updated our reading suggestions for fans of fantasy books.

Fendalton Library to re-open 21 May

Fendalton Library is scheduled to re-open on Monday 21 May following earthquake repairs and strengthening work.

Mobile Library service to Fendalton to finish

The Mobile service to Fendalton will cease on Saturday 12 May as Fendalton Library is scheduled to re-open on Monday 21 May.

Mobile Library will be operating with temporary vehicles

Temporary vehicles will be in operation until 23 May. The Mobile Library bus is off the road for repairs. Service will be delivered from temporary vehicles at all stops. We will continue to provide a selection of stock, access to holds and a drop-off point for returns. You can find us by looking for the blue library flag.

Music photos [updated]

View our sampler of music photos - both heritage and contemporary.

Brass and pipe bands [updated]

Find out about the long and illustrious history of brass and pipe bands in New Zealand.

Lyttelton Festival of Lights

The 2012 Winter Festival of Lights is from 7 to 10 June. There will be four days of events and activities in Lyttelton including a street party, mask parade and fireworks on Friday 8 June. Find out more about Lyttelton.

Maori music [updated]

We have updated our page on Maori music and New Zealand's musical heritage.

Hayley Westenra [updated]

We have updated our page on singer Hayley Westenra.

The Air Force Museum of New Zealand [updated]

We have updated our page on The Air Force Museum of New Zealand at Wigram.

The Christchurch music scene [updated]

We've updated our guide to Christchurch music. There is info on gig guides and venues.

Lawrence Arabia [updated]

We have updated our page on musician Lawrrence Arabia.

Scribe [updated]

We have updated our page on rapper Scribe.

Teen Scene May 2012 newsletter

Go to our May Teen Scene newsletter online. You can subscribe to our newsletters to receive them as an email.

Lindon Puffin [updated]

We have updated our page on musician Lindon Puffin.

Canterbury Olympians

We have updated our page of information on Olympians through the years with a Christchurch and Canterbury connection.

Anika Moa [profile]

We've updated our profile of singer and musician Anika Moa.

All New Audio and Video May newsletter

Go to our May All New Audio and Video newsletter online. You can subscribe to our monthly All New Titles lists to receive them as an email.

All New Children's May newsletter

Go to our May All New Children's newsletter online. You can subscribe to our monthly All New Titles lists to receive them as an email.

All New Fiction May newsletter

Go to our May All New Fiction newsletter online. You can subscribe to our monthly All New Titles lists to receive them as an email.

All New Large Print May newsletter

Go to our May All New Large Print newsletter online. You can subscribe to our monthly All New Titles lists to receive them as an email.

All New Non-Fiction May newsletter

Go to our May All New Non-Fiction newsletter online. You can subscribe to our monthly All New Titles lists to receive them as an email.

All New Young Adult May newsletter

Go to our May All New Young Adult newsletter online. You can subscribe to our monthly All New Titles lists to receive them as an email.

May - New Zealand Music Month

Our libraries will play host to some great live New Zealand music. Explore our Music Month page and get along to our gigs.

Editions - May 2012

Our monthly bulletin links you with what's new on our websites. Subscribe to get it straight to your in box!

New titles May 2012

Our newly arrived titles across six genres: fiction, non-fiction, audio and video, children's, large print and young adults. These items arrived in April 2012.

New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards Festival

Check out our events celebrating this Festival: a bilingual story time, pyjama party, graphic novel workshop and a ride on the Caterpillar at the Botanic Gardens!

Smokefreerockquest 2012 [The Pulse]

Find out about Smokefreerockquest. Christchurch heats are on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 June.

PEN/Faulkner Award for American Fiction [updated]

The PEN/Faulkner Foundation each year recognizes the best published works of fiction by contemporary American writers. Named for William Faulkner, who used his Nobel Prize funds to create an award for young writers, and affiliated with PEN (Poets, Playwrights, Editors, Essayists and Novelists), the international writers' organization, the PEN/Faulkner Award was founded by writers in 1980 to honour their peers, and is now the largest juried award for fiction in the United States.

National Book Awards [updated]

The National Book Awards were established in 1950 by the National Book Foundation in the United States. They aim to enhance the public’s awareness of exceptional books written by Americans, and to increase the popularity of reading in general. We list prize winners since 1990.

Shaken and Recovering: Christchurch City Libraries' earthquake response

5.6 Mb PDF Presentation by Bev Prout at Hikuwai Weekend School, March 2012

Mobile service using temporary vehicle this week

The Mobile library bus is being repaired this week. A temporary vehicle will be at all stops offering the usual service.

NZ Music Month - May 2012

Christchurch City Libraries celebrates NZ Music Month in May with free music events at our libraries and a competition.

Mini Linwood Library [updated]

Our page on Mini Linwood Library has information on its location, opening hours, and services.

Sir Julius Vogel award nominees

The best of New Zealand science fiction, fantasy and horror fiction.

Guardian First Book Award [updated]

The Guardian First Book Award is awarded to first books selected from both fiction and non-fiction, and across all genres. We list all winning titles and shortlists since the Award's inception in 1999.

Children's Literature Foundation of New Zealand Notable New Zealand Books [updated]

The list of Notable Books recognises the wide-ranging achievements of New Zealand children's and young adult authors and illustrators. We have updated our page with the titles selected for 2012.

Biography and Memoir April 2012 newsletter

Go to our April Biography and Memoir newsletter online. You can subscribe to our newsletters to receive them as an email.

Mini Linwood Library open

Mini Linwood Library remains open although the Content and Bindery Services and Linwood Service Centre at Smith Street have closed.

Content and Bindery Services and Linwood Service Centre building closures FAQ

Find out more information on the closure of Content and Bindery Services and the Linwood Service Centre building.

Pulitzer Prizes [updated]

The Pulitzer Prizes are annual awards for achievements in American journalism, letters, drama and music. We list winners in biography, drama, fiction, history, non-fiction and poetry. We link each title to our catalogue search but may not hold all titles listed.

Collections [updated]

Find out about our major collections and the types of resources held in our libraries.

Mini Linwood Library to remain open

Christchurch City Council will today (Tuesday 17 April) close buildings at 180 Smith Street associated with the Linwood Service Centre until further notice. However, the Linwood Mini Library at the site will remain open as it is in a different building which has also been assessed and found to have an acceptable seismic capacity.

Costa Book Awards [updated]

The Costa Book Awards recognise the best of British writing and have five categories: Novel, First Novel, Biography, Poetry and Children’s Book. We list winners and shortlists since the Awards' inception in 2006.

Fantasy fiction newsletter April 2012

This month we focus on the elements and present some new titles.

ANZAC Day events in Canterbury

Wednesday 25 April 2012 is ANZAC Day. Find out about commemorative services in Christchurch and Canterbury.

ANZAC Day

Information on the history of ANZAC Day, World War I and Gallipoli.

Fiction A to Z newsletter

We bring you some new NZ fiction, and some international newbies set in Cape Cod, New York communies, and hospitals. We also look at some African novels.

Haere ra to the Canterbury Society of Arts Gallery [blog]

The Canterbury Society of Arts Gallery consists of two buildings - the first designed by Benjamin Woolfield Mountfort in 1890. The second, erected next to the first, was designed by Richard Dacre Harman and completed in 1894.

Crowne Plaza [photos]

View our photos of the demoliton of the Crowne Plaza.

Brewing, wine making and distilling

Explore library resources to help you with brewing, wine making and distilling.

New Brighton Library is open

The New Brighton Library is now open after briefly being evacuated after the earthquake at midday as a precaution

Food and drink [updated]

We have resources to help cooks and food lovers - from cookbooks to food history, and food related glossaries.

Tax [updated]

We have updated our page of links to books and resources on tax.

KiwiSaver [updated]

We have updated our page of useful information on KiwiSaver.

Library Explorers competition [Kids]

Throughout April we're running a Library Explorers Challenge on the Christchurch Kids Blog. You can answer a series of questions and go in the draw for some great prizes. We have Paper Plus vouchers and movie passes to give away.

The Financial Times and Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year Award [updated]

The Financial Times and Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year Award highlights books that provide "the most compelling and enjoyable insights into modern business issues". We list winners and shortlists since the Award's inception in 2005.

Snow days [updated]

A brief history of significant snowfalls in Christchurch.

2012 Hugo Award nominees

The Hugo Awards were established in 1953 as Science Fiction Achievement Awards for the best science fiction writing in several categories. We list nominees and winners for Graphic Story, Novel, Novella, Novelette, Short Story & Related works & Non-Fiction.

Wigram Air Base [updated]

A history of the Wigram Air Base from its origins as the Sockburn airport.

Bringing you to the library and the library to you [updated]

We can support your visits to your local library where there is a lot to discover and enjoy in the company of others. We offer increasingly accessible library buildings spread across the city and Banks Peninsula. If it is not possible for you to visit the library, there are other ways that the library can be part of your life.

Armchair Travel April 2012 newsletter

Go to our April Armchair Travel newsletter online. You can subscribe to our newsletters to receive them as an email.

Thrillers and Suspense April 2012 newsletter

Go to our April Thrillers and Suspense newsletter online. You can subscribe to our newsletters to receive them as an email.

Auckland Writers and Readers Festival 2012

Christchurch City Libraries connects you with the Auckland Writers and Readers Festival 2012 to be held from 9-13 May in Auckland.

Celebrating people's history exhibition

This exhibition of over 50 international posters documenting radical moments in history will run from Monday 16 April until Monday 14 May at Upper Riccarton Library.

American Presidential Elections 2012

Americans vote to elect a new president on 6 November, 2012. Use our recommended resources to follow and understand this important event.

Teen Scene April 2012 newsletter

Go to our February Teen Scene newsletter online. You can subscribe to our newsletters to receive them as an email.

Bookish Artists II [photos]

An exhibition of art by Christchurch City Libraries staff at New Brighton Library.

Maori weaving and fibre arts

We have updated our guide to weaving and fibre art resources at your library.

Te Rongoa Maori [updated]

We've updated our page on Te Rongoa Maori - remedies created from plants and trees.

Easter [updated]

We've updated our page on Easter. It links to information about the origins, traditions and dates of Easter, as well as events, activities and library resources.

Easter opening hours

This year our libraries will be closed on the statutory holidays of Good Friday and Easter Monday but will be open normal hours on Saturday and Easter Sunday, except for Central South City Library which will be closed on Easter Sunday and open from 10am to 5pm on Easter Monday.

E-books collection [updated]

This page details the different e-books available at your library.

ANZAC Day and Gallipoli [Kids] [updated]

We have updated our kids' page on ANZAC Day and Gallipoli. It explains why we celebrate ANZAC Day and links to websites and library resources, including digital scans of original World War One photos, letters and books.

Temporary library

We are exploring options to establish another larger temporary library, along the lines of Central Library Peterborough, but as yet we cannot confirm location or timeframe. We hope to have something positive to share with the public before too long.

New Zealand Sign Language Week

Information and resources for New Zealand Sign Language Week on 30 April, including story times in sign.

Classical Music Library [updated]

Access to over 90,000 classical music tracks - from Gregorian chants to present-day recordings.

American Song [updated]

Hear the music from America's past and present.

New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults [updated]

We have updated our lists of winners and finalists in the New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults to include the finalists for 2012.

Central Library retrieval of stock

We have linked to articles in the media covering the retrieval of stock from inside the Central Library.

Coral Cummins

Coral Cummins was a jazz vocalist who was born in Christchurch in 1924 and began her career here in the 1940s. She sang with bands in Christchurch and Auckland, including The Martin Winiata Band, Bob Bradford Quartet, Doug Caldwell Quartet and Doug Kelly's Big Band.

Race Relations Day - 21 March 2012

The theme for Race Relations Day 2012 is Aotearoa, A Fair Go for All. Find out more about race relations and resouces for migrants in our page on Race Relations Day.

Te Kereme - Ngai Tahu claim index

Find out about Te Kereme - a selective index to the Ngai Tahu claim.

Smithsonian global sound for libraries [updated]

A virtual encyclopedia of the world's musical and aural traditions including spoken word, and natural and human-made sounds.

Contemporary world music [updated]

Music and sounds of the world for scholarship and pure enjoyment.

Jazz Music Library [updated]

Access to one of the largest collections of streaming jazz available online. Contains thousands of jazz artists, ensembles, albums, and genres.

New Zealand index [updated]

A collection of searchable indexes related to New Zealand science, industry, news, politics and fine arts.

Anika Moa [updated]

We've updated our profile of singer Anika Moa.

Running

We've updated our page on running in preparation for the City 2 Surf on Sunday 25 March.

Costa Biography Awards [updated]

We have updated our page on the Costa (formerly the Whitbread) Biography Awards to include the 2011 finalists and winner.

Community [updated]

Find out how you can join in your local library and take part in our community online.

Martin Setchell [updated]

We have updated our page on organist, composer, teacher and Christchurch Town Hall organ curator Martin Setchell

Thrillers and Suspense March 2012 newsletter

Go to our March Thrillers and Suspense newsletter online. You can subscribe to our newsletters to receive them as an email.

Mobile Library off the road today Tuesday 13 March

Mobile Library is off the road today Tuesday 13 March and will not be making any of its stops.

Teen Scene March 2012 newsletter

Go to our March Teen Scene newsletter online. You can subscribe to our newsletters to receive them as an email.

OverDrive Audiobooks [updated]

OverDrive is a free digital media platform which allows library customers to download audiobooks to their personal digital audio device - such as MP3 players like iPods.

World Book Web [updated]

The online version of the popular encyclopædia known as World Book.

Proquest Historical Newspapers [updated]

The ProQuest Historical Newspapers collection provides complete digital reproductions of every page from every available issue. This means you have access to articles, classified ads, births, deaths and marriage announcements, comic strips, advertising, editorials, photographs, and more!

Motor manuals collection [updated]

Our large and popular collection of motor manuals covers cars, motorcycles, and many other petrol and diesel engines such as outboards, lawnmowers and two-strokes.

No Learning Centre holiday programmes in April

There will be no April holiday programmes in 2012 due to IT upgrades taking place. Read more on the Learning Centres website.

1918 Influenza Pandemic

In 1917 and early 1918, the H1N1 strain of influenza swept the world, reaching New Zealand in early summer. Healthy adults proved particularly vulnerable while the young and old, with weaker systems, seemed to have a better chance of survival.

International Women's Day [updated]

International Women's Day is celebrated on 8 March. This global day connects women around the world and aims to inspire them to achieve their full potential. The day celebrates the collective power of women past, present and future. This page explores library resources looking at women's issues - now and then.

Culture Galore [updated]

This multicultural festival takes place on Saturday 10 March. Find out about it, and the resources we have for new settlers.

Ellerslie International Flower Show [updated]

Our page links to gardening resources and events for the keen gardeners of Christchurch.

Memories of the Cathedral

A selection of photographs of Christ Church cathedral from the libraries' Flickr and Heritage photograph collection

NZ Book Month [updated]

March is New Zealand Book Month, find out what's happening at Christchurch City Libraries.

NZ Book Month [brochure, 1MB PDF]

View our programme of events celebrating New Zealand Book Month in March.

Story times resumes in Sumner.

Storytimes sessions have resumed in Sumner at Sumner Primary School, Colenso St.

Biography and Memoir February 2012 newsletter

Go to our February Biography and Memoir newsletter online. You can subscribe to our newsletters to receive them as an email.

22 February 2011 earthquake

A page for kids on the Christchurch earthquake.

4 September 2010 earthquake

A page for kids on the Greendale earthquake.

Tributes and memorials - 22 February 2012

Photos of the white chairs display, flowers in road cones, and other tributes in honour of those who died as a result of the 22 February 2011 earthquake.

Two minutes silence at 12:51pm Wednesday 22 February

All our libraries will be observing two minutes silence in memory of those who lost their lives in last year's earthquake.

Games and gaming [updated]

You can play video games at some of our libraries and we also have lots of books and resources to help improve your skills.

Fendalton Library and Service Centre earthquake repairs to go ahead [media release]

Christchurch City Council has given approval for earthquake strengthening and repairs to resume at Fendalton Library and Service Centre. Following Council approval, it is hoped repairs will begin at the library and service centre next week and that it can re-open by June.

Libraries' annual book sale starts Friday 17 February [media release]

Book-lovers have the perfect chance to stock up their library with the Christchurch City Libraries book sale which starts at 9am on Friday 17 February.

Muppet colouring competition winners

Find out who won the prizes in our Muppets colouring competition.

Netball

Netball has been popular in Christchurch since the first recorded match on 30 May 1912. This page lists netball resources at your library and links you to local clubs, and organisations.

First 50 years of The Press online [blog]

We are happy to bring you news of a fantastic resource. The first 50 years of The Press newspaper are now available online on Papers Past. Material previously only available to at our Central Library on microfilm will now be online and accessible to everyone.