Grey Lynn Library

19/06/2026

Who, what, where, when, why? These "five Ws" of journalism are good questions for this photo, found locally. Library customer Claire Jager wants to know WHO especially, as she plucked it from the footpath, corner Kirk and Monmouth streets: "I haven't yet been able to track down an owner, and would think someone might appreciate having it back!" A note on the back reveals it's one of few shots featuring "Mister X" (as he signs himself), up a ladder. WHAT do you know about this intriguing find?

19/06/2026

We're happy to announce that our children's area has re-opened after some remedial work.

18/06/2026

Far down the library queue for a much-wanted book? It may be available right now as a Bestie, from our bestsellers collection with two-week loan times: www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/en/books-movies-audio/bestie-collections.html
Photo: A coal queue: a daily scene at the State Coal Depot at Wellington occasioned by the shortage of supplies. Supplement to the Auckland Weekly News, 17 July 1919; Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19190717-33-02.

17/06/2026

Lyce Doucet readers and Auckland Writers Festival attendees will be delighted (and not surprised) she's won the Women's Prize for Non-Fiction with The Finest Hotel in Kabul, her superb book on Afghani history viewed through the lives of workers at its famous "Inter-Con". Winner of the Fiction Prize is Virginia Evans with The Correspondent. Both have hundreds of requests at Auckland Libraries.

The 2026 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction is awarded to The Finest Hotel in Kabul: A People’s History of Afghanistan by Lyse Doucet, the debut book from the BBC’s Chief International Correspondent. Canadian journalist Doucet places the Inter-Continental Hotel in Kabul at the heart of her richly c...

17/06/2026

The Little Leys Classic Film Club
Grey Lynn Library Hall
Friday 19 June, 3:00 p.m.

Film #5 in our Stop the Press series. When a washed-up TV news anchor (Peter Finch) announces on air that he will kill himself on his final show in a week’s time, the network execs go into damage control; but when ratings begin to soar, they elect to keep their deranged presenter in the public eye. Rated R18. 121 mins. Free event. Bookings not required

15/06/2026

PLEASE NOTE: for safety reasons Grey Lynn Library's children’s section is completely closed this week until further notice, for essential ceiling work. The week’s Wriggle and Rhyme sessions are also cancelled. We apologise for any disappointment to our youngest patrons and their caregivers. Full collection access and preschooler sessions are available from our sister branches, such as Leys Institute Little (Ponsonby, with sessions at Ponsonby Baptist) and Parnell.

14/06/2026

What's an abundance of bookshops: a bouquet/bookuet? That's what we have here in the central Auckland suburbs: three of them finalists for NZ's 2026 bookshop of the year award - Dorothy Butler Children's Bookshop, Ponsonby; Time Out, Mt Eden; The Women's Bookshop, Ponsonby. The other finalist is in far-away Petone: Schrödinger's Books. Good luck for July 25! (You're all winners in our hearts.)

12/06/2026

Tell us your favourite strange book titles! If they're in the library, we can add them to our cool new display.

12/06/2026

We've had 100s of notes added to the wall, from recollections of Cher at (then) Vector Arena to the mischievous antics of Robbie Williams at Western Springs. 🎤

What Auckland concert memory would you add? 💭

11/06/2026

This month marks 30 years since the very first Going West Books and Writers Festival, the original literary festival in Tāmaki Makaurau. 🎉

Join James Littlewood in this guest blog, as he reflects on the experience of working with the voices that make up the legacy of sound and photographic records housed at Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections, and now available for digital exploration on Kura.

https://bit.ly/3PSHuwH

Unique collections and resources from Auckland Libraries research centres and heritage collections.

10/06/2026

Now out: a list of must-read NZ kids' books, as shortlisted for the Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. www.nzbookawards.nz/new-zealand-book-awards-for-children-and-young-adults/2026-awards/shortlist/

10/06/2026

The Little Leys Classic Film Club
Grey Lynn Library Hall
Friday 12 June, 2:30 p.m.

Film #4 in our Stop the Press series. After a tipoff about illegal shenanigans occurring prior to the upcoming U.S. national election, two determined reporters (Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman) dig deep and uncover a conspiracy that has the potential to topple the government. Rated PG. 132 mins. Free event. Bookings not required

09/06/2026

Join musician and author, Gareth Shute, at Central City Library for a high-energy journey through time, traversing the far-reaching corners of the Auckland music scene 🎵

We'll trace the evolution of the music world, from formal dance halls to the sweat-soaked rock gigs and smoky underground cabarets of the 1960s, then on to the modern world of nightclubs and music bars.

🎤 Tāmaki Untold FREE event
🎤 Saturday 20 June 2026
🎤 2pm - 3pm

Save your spot here: https://bit.ly/4tXKpD4

Tāmaki After Dark: 100 Years of Music Venues in Auckland, Please join us for a Tāmaki Untold talk ..., Whare Wānanga, Auckland, Auckland, 20 June 2026,

08/06/2026

Do you know where our distinctive New Zealand accent comes from? 🗣️

Check out our new Tāmaki Untold podcast recording of Dr Brooke Ross from the University of Auckland, who joined us at Central City Library for a sold-out talk last month!

Uncover the story of our accent through a project exploring more than 100 years of speech from Auckland, using rare oral history recordings from Auckland Council Libraries.

🎧Listen now: https://bit.ly/3SlFb5S

Where did the New Zealand accent come from and why does it sound the way it does today? Surprisingly, Auckland, NZ’s largest urban centre, has been notably underrepresented in research on the origins

07/06/2026

Calling Aucklanders! Free this Friday 12th June, 6-9pm? 📆

Join Marc Conaco, Vivien Beduya and Auckland Council Libraries for the launch of Among Kinabuhi sa Aotearoa on Philippines Independence Day 🎉

We welcome you to join us in celebrating the pukapuka, and those who have contributed to it with speeches, readings, kai and community. 💚

🔗 Link in bio to reserve your spot at this FREE event: https://bit.ly/43fl1Nf

05/06/2026

New board games just dropped 🎲

We’re celebrating International Tabletop Day and announcing our 10 new additions to the Auckland Libraries board games collection!

Borrow now and get ready for your next game night. Do you play for fun, or to win? 🏆

Place a hold on your favourite game, today: https://bit.ly/4eHkE51

04/06/2026

Give your brain a workout 🧠 🏋️

Specially created for adults, our new BrainCharge sessions are all about supporting wellbeing.

Packed with fun, engaging activities that get you moving, thinking and feeling good - enjoy connection, conversation, and shared moments while keeping your mind active!💡

Join our free sessions at selected libraries across Auckland: http://ourauckland.nz/braincharge

03/06/2026

🎵 Bring the lunchtime vibes and join us for a FREE live performance with inter-dimensional artist WAIWHAI.

WAIWHAI walks under the tutelage of many giants in form and spirit from various musical traditions as an exponent of taonga puoro (traditional Maori instruments), psychedelic groove music, and avant-garde beats.

Experience this trailblazing force within the Tāmaki Makaurau and wider Aotearoa music scene since the mid-2010s.

📍 FREE live performance at Central City Library
📅 Thursday 18 June, 12.10pm
🔗 Book now: https://bit.ly/4flmGrR

Notes on Tāmaki: WAIWHAI, Please join us for a Notes on Tāmaki live music performance with WAIWHAI. ..., Whare Wānanga, Auckland, Auckland, 18 June 2026

02/06/2026

Step inside one of Samoa’s cherished cultural traditions 🌺

New bilingual picture book Sauniga o le ‘Ava Samoa / The ‘Ava Ceremony of Samoa explores the etiquette, storytelling and meaning behind the Samoan ‘ava ceremony. Each page features text in both Gagana Samoa and English, alongside vibrant illustrations.

Written by Tauanu’u Perenise Tapu Sitagata, the book is perfect for young readers and equally enjoyable for adults learning or reconnecting with the language. It is proudly co-published by Oratia and Auckland Council Libraries.

Borrow a copy to celebrate Samoan Language Week! https://bit.ly/4dXX2Hc

02/06/2026

👀 You'd be surprised what's living in our music archives!

We asked one of the co-curators of the Encore! exhibition, Zoe, to walk us through some of her favourite tracks and records. 💿

Come check out our exhibition Encore! at Central City Library to learn more about our music collections. 🎧 All the records/CDs in the video are from Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections, and you can listen to them by making a Reading Room booking: https://bit.ly/4q2Si7y