I want to ...
Featured
WORD Christchurch Festival 2026: 1 to 6 September
WORD Christchurch Festival is on next week — from 1 to 6 September 2026. Read all about events, writers, and get librarian picks!
Featured
WORD Christchurch Festival 2026: 1 to 6 September
WORD Christchurch Festival is on next week — from 1 to 6 September 2026. Read all about events, writers, and get librarian picks!
I want to ...
Featured
Featured
Join us for school holiday fun and learning
Come to the library in the school holidays for bookable programmes and free drop-in activities. Bookings open 7pm Thursday 27 August.
WHAIAO Exhibition: 8 August to 29 November
An exploration and celebration of Māori worldviews & the items we are humbly able to hold in our collections at Ngā Kete Wānanga o Ōtautahi.
Celebrate the wonder of words with National Poetry Day 2026
We're running a poetry competition from 17 to 31 August for adults and under 18s. Winners will have their poem printed on a tote bag!
WHAIAO presents: The Art of Māori Zine-Making
Aug 28th | 11:00am - 4:00pm
This zine workshop is for everyone. Whether you’re an experienced maker and writer or new to the world of zines—nau mai, haere mai!
Featured
Join us for school holiday fun and learning
Come to the library in the school holidays for bookable programmes and free drop-in activities. Bookings open 7pm Thursday 27 August.
eResources
eResources
I want to research: eResources for deep dives and study
Access thousands of full text journals, discover primary sources, research your family history and more. Free with your library membership.
Talking Books Book Club
Join the Talking Books Book Club from uLibrary. This month's title is Black Silk & Sympathy by Deborah Challinor.
Libby Reads Book for August - Register for the Live Event
Join us for an evening of discussion with Emma Viskic, author of Resurrection Bay, August's featured Libby Reads title on Libby.
eResources
I want to research: eResources for deep dives and study
Access thousands of full text journals, discover primary sources, research your family history and more. Free with your library membership.
For Readers
For Readers
New For You - August 2026
New For You is a monthly selection of new books, topical titles, and hidden gems — chosen especially for you by our book buyers!
New this week
Every week we publish just ordered, new fiction, and new non-fiction lists. Find out the newest titles added to the library collection.
Arts and literature reading guide
Find fun reads that shed light on your favourite music, theatre or literature. Reads that inform and entertain just like great works of art.
Historical fiction reading guide
Recommended titles for readers who love royal intrigue, fans of sagas, or those gripped by the action in historical adventure.
New For You
New For You - August 2026
New For You is a monthly selection of new books, topical titles, and hidden gems — chosen especially for you by our book buyers!
New titles
New
Join the library. It's free!
Kia ora and welcome to Christchurch City Libraries Ngā Kete Wānanga o Ōtautahi - join online now.
Just added
Just Added
Demolition begins: The Rutherford Ward, Queen Mary Hospital
We look at the history of the Queen Mary Hospital at Hanmer Springs as demolition work begins on its South Block, or Rutherford Ward.
Teen Photography Workshop - 12-18 years
Oct 7th | 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Join our workshop to explore, experiment, and develop your creative photography skills!
6 Olivia Laing books in 2026: WORD Christchurch 2026
Debora is a fan of Olivia Laing, and is going along to see them at WORD Christchurch. Find out why & book your tickets too!
Dolly Parton 1946-2026
We've got music and books by Dolly, and books about her. There's also a Kanopy documentary about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
Explore
Demolition begins: The Rutherford Ward, Queen Mary Hospital
We look at the history of the Queen Mary Hospital at Hanmer Springs as demolition work begins on its South Block, or Rutherford Ward.