eBooks

eBooks

Download and read. Whatever your age group or interest we have eBooks for you.

Use your library card to borrow eBooks for adults, kids and young adults. Downloadable or read online, there is a collection of bestsellers, romance, mysteries, thrillers, biographies, and more even a great collection of New Zealand titles.

Featured

Our Wheeler's ePlatform eBook collection is on the move

Jun 16, 2025
Our Wheeler's ePlatform eBook collection is moving to BorrowBox on 8 July. Great content in two formats, in one place.

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.

Skip the Line with Libby and OverDrive

Reads without the wait! Skip the line and borrow a popular title for a two week loan. One title at a time, no holds or renewals.

eBooks FAQs

  • Our switch to AWA, our new shared digital collection with Selwyn Libraries, will be pretty seamless. 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 App 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.

  • No.

    The Kindle eReader does not support eBooks from either OverDrive (including the Libby app) or Wheelers.

    However the Kindle Fire tablet is compatible with our eBook platforms using an eReader app.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • You can borrow, read and listen to OverDrive eBooks and eAudiobooks directly from the catalogue.

    There is no longer an option to download OverDrive titles from catalogue.

    The easiest way to download OverDrive eBooks and eAudiobooks for offline use is in OverDrive's Libby app on your mobile device.

    Download the Libby app

     You can still download OverDrive ebooks to your Windows or Mac computer for offline use, or transfer to an eReader in

eBooks

Young Adult eBooks

Kids eBooks

Reference eBook Collections

OverDrive

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

Wheelers eBooks

A free eBook service of fiction and non–fiction titles. The collection focuses on New Zealand titles.

OverDrive for Teens

eBook and eAudiobook collection containing thousands of fiction and nonfiction titles for teens.

OverDrive for kids

Free eBook and downloadable eAudiobook collection containing thousands of fiction and nonfiction titles for children.

Papanui Library Book Club June 2025

Titles ready by the members of the Papanui Library book club.

Ōrauwhata: Bishopdale Library Monday Book Group May 2025

Recommendations from customers shared at the Book Group meeting at Ōrauwhata: Bishopdale Library on the 2nd Monday of each month.

Stars of Taskmaster

British comedy show/rite of humiliation, Taskmaster, is one of the funniest things on TV. Now updated with series 19 competitors.
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