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New on the CCL website

Famous New Zealanders - Irene van Dyk

This is the latest profile in our children's homework resources about famous New Zealanders. Sportspeople, scientists, artists, authors and more.

David Taylor, pacifist and minister

David Taylor was described in hs obituary as one of New Zealand’s most vocal champions of world peace and justice. Read more about his life and work in our biography by Pat Sargison. Links to library resources.

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.

Frank Dickson, Canterbury Hero

Frank Dickson is one of the Canterbury Heroes - a set of twelve bronze busts of important local figures. Frank Dickson's plaque reads: First Chief Executive of the Canterbury Savings Bank 1962-1988, leader and inspirer of the team which created over $300 million of funds for the Canterbury Community Trust.

Classical Sparks [updated]

The Classical Sparks concert features classical music and stunning fireworks. This page links you to some of the performers and music at this annual event.

Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year - a common name for the Lunar New Year - is celebrated in China, Korea and by Chinese and Korean communities around the world. Christchurch's annual celebration, the Lantern Festival, is held in Victoria Square. Of all Chinese festivals, the Lunar New Year is the most important and spectacular.

Festival of flowers begins 19 February [updated]

Find out about the 2010 Festival of flowers, get the full event listing as a free download and discover library resources about gardening and floral arts.

*Edition 1 February 2010: Takapuneke and Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Read more about the role of the Takapuneke massacre and the Treaty of Waitangi signings in the South Island. Plus all our latest and recently updated content.

Courtney Archer, pacifist and relief worker

Biography of Canterbury pacifist Courtney Archer. Best known for his work as an assistant to Rewi Alley at the Shandan Bailie School in China, Archer was a committed pacifist. His strong interest in China and the Chinese people lasted all his life.

Changes to our computer booking system

From Monday the 1st of February 2010 the option to make an advanced scheduled booking to use a library computer will no longer be available. All existing advanced bookings will be removed from the system after the library has closed on the 31st January. From the 1st February, computers will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. If all computers are in use customers have the option of joining an automated queue. As computers become free they will be allocated to customers in the order they joined the queue. At some libraries express use computers, limited to 15 minute sessions, are available to walk-up and use whenever they are free. These changes have been made in response to customer feedback with the intention of making access to the libraries’ computers as fair and open as possible.

Waitangi Day [updated]

Find out more about this most significant day in our country's history and about the role of Onuku Marae and Takapuneke on Banks Peninsula. Links to Waitangi Day events and resources. Note that all libraries are closed on Waitangi Day.

New Titles February 2010

Our newly arrived titles across six genres: fiction, non-fiction, audio and video, childrens, large print and young adults. These items arrived in January 2010.

Frisky fun with romance writer Natalie Anderson [interview]

imaru-based romantic fiction writer Natalie Anderson writes "hopeful and happy stories" with a racy edge. The mother of four and former librarian made the USA Today’s top-selling 150 books list in the first week of 2010 with Ruthless boss, royal mistress. She spoke with Joyce Fraser about writing sizzling sex scenes, libraries and advice for would-be romance writers.

Customer Code of Conduct

Our libraries are here for the use and enjoyment of everyone. Please show consideration for others at all times. Our Code of Conduct applies to all library users and staff.

Randolph Caldecott Medal winners 2010

The Randolph Caldecott Medal is awarded for the most distinguished American Picture Book for Children.

John Newbery Medal winners 2010

The John Newbery Medal is awarded for the most distinguished contribution to American Literature for Children.

Children's Day (7 March 2010) [updated]

How to celebrate Children's Day at Christchurch City Libraries - get a library card, visit your library and borrow a great range of books, DVDs and more.

Golf resources at your library

Two major events on the New Zealand golf calendar both take place in Christchurch early in the year. The NZ PGA Championship for men is played at Clearwater this week and the NZ Women's Open will be played at the new Pegasus Golf Course in February. Find out more about these events and golf goodies your library.

Libraries' summer reading club is a page turner [media release]

Children are notching up an amazing number of books a week as part of the Christchurch City Libraries’ Summer Reading Club.

Elizabeth Francis Moody 1939 - 2010

Brief profile of the late Elizabeth Moody, well-known Christchurch actress and director. Includes links to library resources and Radio New Zealand interview.

Marcus Chown [interview]

Moata Tamaira conducted this interview with science writer Marcus Chown during the Auckland Writers and Readers Festival 2009. Chown is also the visiting author on the library blog on January 19 2010.

Earthquakes [updated]

Background information on earthquakes including the recent Haitian earthquake and how to donate. Earth science and geology links and resources in libraries.

*Edition 18 January: Walk the writers' trail

Summer is a great time for family outings and for those with a literary interest - this edition has links and downloads to help you discover Canterbury writers. There's also links to what's new and interesting on the library website and the blog and some significant dates in Canterbury history.

Swimming and water safety - links and resources

Swimming, learn to swim and water safety links and resources at Christchurch City Libraries.

World Buskers Festival [updated]

This annual Christchurch festival is one of the world's largest street entertainment events. Find out about venues, performers and more with this guide.

Cricket [updated]

Christchurch is hosting the finals of the U19 World Cup. Our cricket page has links to the official site, as well as major cricketing news and information. Christchurch club contacts and websites are also listed.

Favourite New Zealand non-fiction books of 2009

Cornelia Oehler, Selection and Access Librarian, shares her favourite New Zealand books for 2009.

Community information

Christchurch City Libraries maintains two community information databases - CINCH and localeye which can help you find an amazing range of local information. CINCH was established in 1981 and in 2002 localeye was created.

Best and Worst competition winners announced

Winners of the Christchurch City Libraries Best and Worst 2009 competition have been announced. Check to see if you are on the list!

Network Services teams

To support our 20 libraries and all the varied services offered to our customers, Christchurch City Libraries has a number of behind the scenes teams who provide specialist backup across the network. Teams select, maintain and deliver library resources; provide online and telephone services; maintain and improve buildings and computer services; support outreach services and provide learning programmes and promotional events.

Bindery services

The Christchurch City Libraries Bindery is responsible for the maintenance, repair and protection of library stock and also offers a comprehensive range of services to the public.

Highlights and lowlights of 2009 publishing

Philip Tew, Selection and Access Librarian, shares his bests, worsts, and gives an insider's view on publishing trends.

Top read aloud books for kids

In honour of 150 years of Christchurch City Libraries (2009), the Children's Library Team has created a list of the Top 5 Read Alouds for every decade the Library has been open.

Fendalton Library looks for consent to operate on Sundays

Media release 14 December 2009

Music Online

Music Online brings together the entire suite of Alexander Street Press music products that we subscribe to. American Song, Classical Music Library, Contemporary World Music, and Jazz Music Library and African American Music Reference. Music Online include more than 235,000 tracks many different record labels, including EMI, Rounder Records, Verve, Arabesque Recordings, Smithsonian Folkways and Opus Arte. The continuously growing collection also includes thousands of liner notes, biographies, and images. For library members only.

Best reads of 2009

The following list bring together the cream of the crop of 2009’s books - from the picks of our staff and customers, to the 'best of' lists published by magazines, newspapers and booksellers.

Christmas web sites for kids

The library has lots of Christmas stuff - music, how to make Christmas treats and decorations, and some wonderful Christmas stories and fun web sites to explore.

Christmas reading for kids

A list of books showing the different ways children all over the world celebrate Christmas, with ideas for decorations, food and presents that can be made.

Festive food

Whatever you're planning for your home-cooked Christmas dinner, our libraries have plenty of resources to give you ideas.

Christmas is family time

Things to do for families at Christmas time - crafts, walks and relaxing.

Christmas music

Information on Christmas music at Christchurch City Libraries.

Edition 7 December: Pre-Christmas rush

Christmas-related links and resources. Images of Christmas past, Christmas carols and events in Christchurch, family activities, Christmas music, festive food and more. Plus there's the Summertime Reading Club and the chance to win book vouchers in our best and worst of 2009 competition.

Logies Footwear, Cashel Street, Christchurch

A short history of the Logie family of Christchurch and their footwear business.

The Guardian First Book Award

An Elegy for Easterly by Petina Gappah has won the Guardian First Book Award.

H.H. Stephens War Diary

The World War I diary of Herbert Harold Stephens, of Sydenham, Christchurch. Entries in the diary by Herbert Stephens cover the period from August 13, 1915 to November 16th, 1916. The later entries are in the first part of the diary.

Christmas in Christchurch and Canterbury

Information on local Christmas events including carol services, musical performances, Santa parades and festive displays.

Win book vouchers in our December competition

We're giving you the chance to win book vouchers in time for Christmas. Adults, youth and children all have separate chances to win! See what others are saying on the library blog, then send in your entry. Another great library competition.

Erebus crash : 30th anniversary

Find more information and library resources about the 1979 crash of flight TE109 into Mt Erebus in Antarctica. Links to audio and video footage, plus NZ disaster resources for school children. Commemorates the 30th anniversary of the crash.

January 2010 Holiday Programmes

We offer a variety of accessible, safe and affordable activities for children during their school holidays. Our programmes run city wide and are aimed at children between the ages of 5 - 15 years.

Memorial Avenue: 50th anniversary

Delve into the history of the gateway to Christchurch - Memorial Avneue. 50 years old on November 26, it was a memorial to air service personnel killed during World War 2. Originally it was known as Burnside Road.

Holiday reading 2009

Holiday Reading is a selection of the many new titles added to Christchurch City Libraries during the year. We hope you will find something here to excite, enthuse, enthral and inform you.

Football [updated]

New Zealand's All Whites, including Cantabrians Ryan Nelsen and Ben Sigmund, have made it to the great sporting arena of the 2010 World Cup. Find out more about the local football code and other library resources on this page.

Borrowing conditions [updated]

New borrowing conditions apply from 9 November. The maximum numbers of items that adult, youth, concession and corporate members may have on loan has increased to 30 items.

If you like ... a good humorous novel [updated]

We have updated our list of funny books and authors for your reading pleasure.

Armistice Day 11 November [updated]

Links to books, web sites and other resources about Armistice Day, November 11. Armistice Day – 11 November – marks the anniversary of the Armistice that ended the First World War (1914-1918) and commemorates the sacrifice of those who died serving New Zealand in this and all wars and armed conflicts. The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month marks the moment when hostilities ceased on the Western Front in 1918, with the signing of the Armistice.

Read the Book - then see the film [updated]

Our guide to up-coming movies that are based on books has been updated with new titles.

The Southern provinces almanac

New digitised resources added to the collection. The Almanac was published annually from 1853 to 1892. Christchurch City Libraries has a set covering the years 1863 to 1892. Originally the Almanac covered a number of provinces, but from 1865 the Almanac concentrated on Canterbury.

Christchurch City Libraries Photo Hunt winners

Find out about the winners of the photo contest that was part of Beca Heritage Week, 16th to 26th October 2009 . The theme was Doves and Defences, Discover Christchurch in Peace and Conflict.

Sir Donald Ward Beaven

Brief profile of renowned medical researcher and diabetes health campaigner, Sir Donald Beaven. Links to library and web resources.

Cycling [updated]

The Season of Cycling is here, and we've updated our page of resources for cyclists.

Hairy MacLary Pet Competition Winners

Our winners were: Winner: Ashtyn Mose-Jones and his dog Montee, Runners-up: Keira McKaskell and her cat Walnut, Maisie and her puppy Arnold, and Alexis Whitla's dog Oscar.

Halloween [updated]

Halloween is celebrated on 31 October. The name is an abbreviated version of "All Hallows' Even", the evening before All Hallows' Day (All Saints' Day) on 1 November. Our page gives you links to more background, resources and early NZ celebrations.

Martin Crump: real-life Kiwi yarner

Interview with Martin Crump - broadcaster, writer, yarn-spinner and son of one of New Zealand’s most celebrated folk heroes, Barry Crump. 2010 marks the 50th anniversary of the publication of A Good Keen Man, the book which turned Barry into a household name. A commemorative edition is to be published, and Martin Crump has been touring the country to spread the word.

Edmonds Cookbook Competition winners and stories

For New Zealand Book month we asked you to show us your copies of the iconic Edmonds Cookbook and tell us you stories. Here are the winners in the following categories and some of the stories: Oldest publishing date, Best loved/Most used, Most annotated, Virgin copy and Tell us a story. Winners were announced at a special prize giving event at New Brighton library on 23 October, 2009, where local councillor Chrissie Williams presented the prizes and a local chef did a cooking demonstration.

Labour Day

Brief background to the history of the Labour Day public holiday and resources for further information.

Motor Manuals

One of Christchurch City Libraries' largest collections, motor manuals include workshop manuals, handbooks, databooks and more. Overview and search tips for customers.

Awards of the Children's Book Council of Australia

2009 award winners added: Collecting Colour by Kylie Dunstan, How to Heal a Broken Wing by Bob Graham, Perry Angel's Suitcase by Glenda Millard and Stephen Michael King, Tales from Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan and Alive in the Death Zone by Lincoln Hall.

Waitaki Hydro-electric Project photograph album

Photograph album compiled by L.S. Payne covering the construction of the Waitaki hydro-electric power plant; photographs taken between May 1929 and February 1933.

St. Martins Public Library, 1927-1948

A short history of the St. Martins Public Library outlining the efforts to set up and finance the library.

editions 12 October: Free digital downloads? Yes!

The new Overdrive service, looking back at the Wizard. Latest additions and blog highlights.

William Gimblett, 1845 - 1913

For over forty years William Gimblett (1845-1913) was an important figure in horticulture in Canterbury. We have his photographs in our collection.

Man Booker Prize for Fiction 2009

Hilary Mantel has won the 2009 Man Booker Prize for her novel Wolf Hall.

Nobel Prizes 2009

We are updating our site with Nobel Prize winners as they are announced this week.

Overdrive - audiobooks to download

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