Friends of the Library Ngā Hoahoa o Ngā Kete Wānanga-o-Ōtautahi
Friends of the Christchurch City Libraries support the libraries with advocacy and fund raising. Over the years their efforts have seen a range of useful things added to libraries such as digital cameras, iPods, wheelchairs and special book trolleys.
Join the Friends of Christchurch City Libraries and support the great work we do
Some of our achievements to date:
- Funding the Margaret Mahy mural above the Children’s reference collection on Tuakiri in Tūranga
- Supporting the libraries’ annual public programmes
- Funding specialised furniture and equipment at community libraries
- Volunteering at the libraries’ annual book sale
Come and join us. It's all about having fun and doing good work.
How to join
View the flyer, and either:
- Email friendsofchchlibrary@gmail.com and pay by direct credit (bank account details on the flyer); or
- Pay by cash at one of the regular meetings held by the Friends.
Subscriptions are due 1 April each year. Please note: If you wish to attend the Library Book sale preview, then all new and existing subscriptions must be paid 14 days prior to the book sale.
Membership fees
$10 unwaged; $15 waged; and $20 family (Two adults and any number of children under the age of 18 years living at the same address)
Rewards for being a Friend of the Christchurch City Libraries:
- The good feeling that comes from knowing you are helping to spread the joy of reading and the love of books
- An opportunity to buy at library booksale previews
- A regular newsletter with information of coming events, library services, book notes and other interesting material. Read the November 2024 Newsletter [442KB PDF]
Hear from the Friends
Margaret Mahy collection wall
Reading is very creative - it's not just a passive thing. I write a story; it goes out into the world; somebody reads it and, by reading it, completes it.” - Margaret Mahy
Artwork was installed over the Margaret Mahy collection on Friday 3 March 2023, complementing the portrait of Margaret Mahy by artist Glenda Randerson.
The Tuakiri team at Tūranga wanted the area highlighted, as it is a collection of national significance. Librarians decided on the graphics and quote they wanted to see.
Friends of the Library Ngā Hoahoa o Ngā Kete Wānanga-o-Ōtautahi kindly gave funding for the artwork, which was installed by Sign Network.
The wording in the Margaret Mahy Collection says:
As well as being one of the world’s most beloved, talented and famous authors for children and young adults, did you know that Margaret Mahy, ONZ, was also one of our very own Children’s Librarians?
Margaret wrote her first story at the age of seven and published her first book, A Lion in the Meadow, at 33. In 1976 Margaret was appointed Children’s Librarian at Canterbury Public Library. In 1980 she became a full-time writer, and authored more than 100 picture books, 40 novels and 20 collections of short stories. Her work has been translated into 15 languages.
Margaret went on to win numerous awards, including the Hans Christian Andersen Award and the Carnegie Medal. She received the Order of New Zealand, the nation’s highest honour, in 1993.
Margaret lived in Governors Bay and died in Christchurch on 23 July 2012 at the age of 76.
This collection of New Zealand children’s and young adult books is named in her honour.
Please read and enjoy these books in the library. However, as this is a reference collection for all booklovers, these books cannot be borrowed. Please talk to a librarian to find a borrowable copy.
Previous events supported by Friends of the Library
"Everyone has a story to tell": Ruth Shaw at Tūranga
Nee Naw Live at Tūranga with Deano Yipadee - Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 July 2023 (4 sold out shows)
Join best-selling author and musician Deano Yipadee LIVE with Christchurch City Libraries at Tūranga! We will be singing, dancing, doing musical comedy with a chance to read, bounce and giggle along to his chart-topping books and songs, including 'Stink-o-saurus', 'Nee Naw the Little Fire Engine', 'Granny's Undies' and the brand new book, 'Dusty the Digger!'
Find books by Deano Yipadee in the catalogue
Voices of Gallipoli - Friday 21 April 2023, Tūranga
On Friday 21 April at 2pm in Tautoru / TSB Space at Tūranga we hosted a Voices of Gallipoli event. Using a concept created by playwright Arthur Meek, where local actors and current soldiers will be performing soldiers' accounts of the campaign from Maurice Shadbolt's Voices of Gallipoli collection. Supported by Friends of the Library Ngā Hoahoa o Ngā Kete Wānanga-o-Ōtautahi, this event will also feature an army bugler and the New Zealand String Quartet. This act of remembrance | maumahara was a moving occasion. Watch the video.
