eAudiobooks

eAudiobooks

Download and listen. We have eAudiobooks for you, whatever your age group or interest

Use your library card to borrow eAudiobooks for adults, kids and young adults. Download to your device so you can listen when you're on the move. There is a huge range - bestsellers, mysteries, thrillers, biographies and romance novels.

AWA - New shared digital collection

May 30, 2025
We’re excited to let you know we’ve partnered with Selwyn Libraries to offer our members a shared digital collection for a two year trial.

Unlimited borrowing on Libby

This collection is a game-changer for book clubs and group reading. Enjoy unlimited access to a selection of eBooks and eAudiobooks.

Talking Books Book Club

Join the Talking Books Book Club from uLibrary. July's title is The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers by Samuel Burr.

eAudiobooks FAQs

  • AWA is our new shared digital collection with Selwyn Libraries. Christchurch City Customers who are already signed into the Libby App or our classic OverDrive site are all set.  They will see the collection has changed its name to AWA and will enjoy greater choice and access in this shared collection.

    If you are signing into the Libby App for the first time follow the prompts to find your library.

    A search for Christchurch City Libraries will guide you to our AWA collection. 

     

     

    Select Christchurch City Libraries from the AWA dropdown and sign in with your Library card and PIN or password

    If you are new to our classic OverDrive site click sign in and select the Christchurch City Libraries option from the AWA dropdown to sign in with your Library card and PIN or password

  • Read the news item about AWA

    How can people log into the new service?
    The transition will be as seamless as possible for library customers. Our Christchurch City Libraries customers who are already signed into the Libby App or our classic OverDrive site won’t need to do anything. On the 1 July, our Go Live date, they will see the collection has changed its name to AWA.

    New Libby customers will follow the prompts to find their library. A search for Christchurch City Libraries will guide them to the AWA collection. Then they select Christchurch City Libraries from the AWA dropdown and sign in with their Library card. New customers to, or existing customers who've signed out of, our classic OverDrive site will also select the Christchurch City Libraries option from the AWA dropdown to sign in with their Library card.

    Why won’t Christchurch residents get the same increase in access to content as Selwyn?
    Due to the difference in population size the Selwyn Libraries initial base collection will be less than Christchurch’s initial base collection.

    Won’t this result in more competition/longer wait time for popular titles?
    Current selection and purchasing criteria is based on availability and customer demand; this will not change with the shared collection.

    Why are we doing this?
    Library users will have more choice due to a richer variety of content, particularly newer and more popular items. The collaboration will help to build relationships between the two organisations, encouraging sharing of ideas and learning for the enhancement of services for all library members. 

    How much is this going to cost?
    The costs are within existing budgets.

    How are you able to provide this service without it costing more?
    The new service delivers better value for money through a growth in the user base and in expected collection turnover. 

    Is this a permanent arrangement?
    This is a trial partnership lasting for a two-year period, from 1 July 2025. Over that timeframe both Selwyn Libraries and Christchurch City Libraries will conduct regular monitoring of data and usage. Parties will meet twice per annum to review the past period and forward plan. Prior to June 2027, we will review the success of the collaboration. 

    Why aren’t other Canterbury councils included?
    If the digital access partnership is successful, other opportunities to collaborate may be considered, such as programming and events, developing shared staff professional development, or expanding the arrangement to include the other Canterbury councils.

  • On November 13, 2024, OverDrive retired the MP3 audiobook format from OverDrive library websites and ended support for OverDrive's desktop apps for Windows and Mac (which only worked with MP3 audiobooks).

    You can listen to audiobooks using the following options:

  • If you're missing parts (chapters, pages, minutes, etc.) of a downloaded book, audiobook, or magazine, delete and re-download it.

    Steps for audiobooks and books

    1. Tap Shelf Shelf, in the navigation footer.
    2. Tap Loans at the top of the screen.
    3. Tap Title status: Borrowed, 100% downloaded button, then Remove Download.
    4. Wait for two minutes, then completely close the app:
      • On Android devices: Open your recently used apps list, find the Libby app, and swipe to close it.
      • On iOS devices: Close the Libby app by swiping up from the app switcher on your iPhone or iPad.
    5. Reopen the app.
    6. Go to your Shelf Shelf, in the navigation footer, then tap Title status: Borrowed, tap to download button next to the title. This will download a fresh copy.

    Steps for magazines

  • To get started all you will need is an internet connection, your email address and library card number and password/PIN

    The  BorrowBox apps allow mobile device users to download eBooks and eAudiobooks directly onto their smart device. For users without a compatible  BorrowBox device - you can download eAudiobooks directly to your computer.

"Libby's just wonderful. She's my best friend."

Judy is a big fan of Libby, and listens to lots of audiobooks. Watch the interview and hear about her audiobook experience.

Listen to Slow Horses and more on uLibrary

Try our eAudiobook platform uLibrary - listen to Mick Herron's Slow Horses, Frankie by Graham Norton, and lots more top titles.

Listen to Parade by Rachel Cusk on BorrowBox

Midway through his life, an artist begins to paint upside down. Listen to this eAudiobook read by Genevieve Gaunt. Available now, no wait.

Listen to April in Spain by John Banville on BorrowBox

Listen to the sumptuous, propulsive, sun-kissed follow up to the bestselling Snow. Read by Stanley Townsend. No waitlist, available now.

Our eAudiobook collections

BorrowBox

BorrowBox is an eAudiobook platform - download top NZ, Australian, & international fiction & non-fiction. Borrow for 21 days.

Libby - the OverDrive app

Borrow thousands of eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines, all available on your mobile device by downloading the Libby app.

uLibrary eAudiobooks

A collection of fiction and non-fiction eAudiobook titles.

AWA in OverDrive

eBook and eAudiobook and magazine collection containing thousands of fiction and non-fiction titles for adults, young adults and children.

eAudiobooks

Young Adult eAudiobooks

Kids eAudiobooks

Audie Awards - 2025 winners and finalists

The Audie Awards® is the premier awards program in the United States recognizing distinction in audiobooks and spoken-word entertainment.

Aotearoa New Zealand eAudiobooks

Want to #ReadNZ? Find eAudiobooks from Aotearoa New Zealand - platforms include Libby, BorrowBox, and uLibrary.

Top Most Borrowed in 2024: BorrowBox

Here are the most popular eAudiobooks on BorrowBox for 2024.

Listen in! Audiobooks 2024

Here are the audiobooks Donna listened to in 2024. Top titles: Hine Toa, Martyr!, Every man for himself & God against all, Perfume & Pain.

Most Popular in 2024: Fiction eAudiobooks for adults

Pride and Prejudice is the most popular fiction eAudiobook for 2024!

Most Popular in 2024: Non-Fiction eBooks for adults

There are seven New Zealand titles in this year's most popular non-fiction eBooks.
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