So Many Stories
Conversations with Christchurch City Libraries Ngā Kete Wānanga o Ōtautahi
Join Christchurch City Libraries on the first Friday of each month at 9am on PlainsFM and discover what our libraries are all about – connecting people, inspiring discovery, and enriching communities. Each show features stories from people who work in libraries, and the members of our community we engage with every day. We also bring you a peek between the pages of interesting pukapuka.
- Listen to So Many Stories on Plains FM Fridays at 9am.
- The next show is on Friday 2 September 2022.
- Upcoming shows: 7 October, 4 November, 2 December.
Episode 7 - August 2022
This episode was broadcast on Friday 5 August 9am, and again on Sunday 7 August at 3.30pm. Listen to So Many Stories on PlainsFM.
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Here's what you'll hear in Episode 7:
WORD Christchurch Festival and a welcome back to LIVE events!
Nic Low
"What are you really excited about in this year's Festival?"
Moata interviews Nic Low, Programme Director for WORD Christchurch, looking ahead to WORD from 31 August - 4 September.
The Unlikely Librarian
"Aren't we all books bound in human skin?"
Poppia chats with Mike Moroney (aka the Unlikely Librarian), Library Assistant Auahatanga | Creativity tells us about his involvement in some of this year’s WORD events.
Mike's event is Indelible: Tattoo Tales Saturday 3 September 6.30pm to 7.30pm
Ray Shipley
"There's nothing quite like a live performance."
Poppia talks with Ray Shipley, poet, comedian, and former Youth Librarian looking forward to their Late Night Poetry Hour at WORD and National Poetry Day (Friday 26th August). They'll let you in on some picks from recent NZ poetry and fiction. Check out our Poetry page for more.
Ray is appearing in:
Ray Shipley's Late Night Poetry Hour Friday 2 September 9pm to 11pm
The Stardust Cabaret Saturday 3 September 7.30pm to 9pm
Out here: An anthology of Takatāpui and LGBTQIA+ writers from Aotearoa Friday 2 September 4pm to 5pm
and recommends Mohamed Hassan: How to be (a bad) Muslim Friday 2 September 3.30pm to 4.30pm
Chloe Gong
You'll also hear an excerpt from an interview with Chloe Gong talking about her latest YA novel Foul Lady Fortune with Alice and Alicia from Tūranga. Listen to the full interview.
Episode 7
In search of Ngaio: Life and Work of Dame Ngaio Marsh
#LibraryFromHome: National Poetry Day
Meet Chloe Gong: interview
WORD Christchurch Festival 2022
Go for launch! WORD Christchurch 2022
Blackout Poetry
National Poetry Day - Spring: Breakdown, Breakthrough
National Poetry Fun Day
Margaret Mahy
Poetry
Episode 6 - July 2022
Here's what you'll hear in Episode 6:
- Maatakiwi talks to local weaver Paula Rigby-Hira about a new woven installation by Ōtautahi Weavers at Linwood Library.
- Ben Russell head of Music at Te Aratai (formerly Linwood College) tells us how the Library connects with his students and whānau through the annual musical showcase.
- The success of the Manga and More! hosted by Wendy.
- How the Recycle a Device initiative for Rangatahi came about and how you can support it.
- Emilie tells us about The Better Digital Futures programme and how it empowers older adults.

This episode was broadcast on Friday 1 July 9am, and again on Sunday 3 July at 3.30pm. Listen to So Many Stories on PlainsFM.
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Episode 6
Manga meet ups
Better digital futures for seniors
Episode 5 - June 2022
Here's what you'll hear in Episode 5:
- Learn about the significance of Matariki how you can learn more and participate in events around the city for all ages.
- Susie from our Learning Centre team will share how technology will be used to explore the virtual environment and Matariki stars for school students.
- Ky shares how you can celebrate Christchurch Pride around the library network through books and craft.
- What’s On in June
This episode was broadcast on Friday 3 June 9am, and again on Sunday 5 June at 3.30pm. Listen to So Many Stories on PlainsFM.
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Episode 5
Matariki: Māori New Year
Christchurch Pride 2022 - Friday 17 to Saturday 28 June
Auahatanga - Creative Spaces
What's on: June, July, and August 2022
Episode 4 - May 2022
Here's what you'll hear in Episode 4:
- Donella introduces the library at Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre.
- Dan covers Learning Centre offerings. Better Digital Futures, Minecraft club, Auahatanga - Creative Spaces. You can submit 3D print designs on our website. Inventors who have come in to print super-secret designs and even a brain! There is music equipment available at Te Hāpua and a Beats lab drop in.
- Ben speaks with Patricia who set up Give a Little page for a Transgender news publication at the library and makes make use of library computers to create content.
- Dan speaks with Venkant about helping him and his grandchildren translate their idea for a clock showing multiple time zones into and 3D printable design and print using multiple colours. This solves the issue of not calling family overseas in the middle of the night.
- Barbara Clarke talks about who Friends of the Library are and what to expect at the Book Sale.
- Bronwyn promotes CSO events, Te Ao Hou travelling exhibition, Youth Week events including Clothing Swap.
- What’s On in May

This episode was broadcast on Friday 6 May 9am, and again on Sunday 8 May at 3.30pm. Listen to So Many Stories on PlainsFM.
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Episode 4
Big Bargain Book Sale - Friday 13 & Saturday 14 May 2022
Auahatanga - Creative Spaces
Te Ao Hou: A moment in time
Youth Week - Saturday 7 May to Sunday 15 May 2022
Friends of the Library
NZ Music Month at Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre
Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa NZ Music Month 2022 - Ōtautahi
3D Printing
Episode 3 - April 2022
Here's what you'll hear in Episode 3:
- Te Ao Hou: A moment in time exhibition - hear from Māia and Julia.
- Nora and Mal speak on their Pasifika roles and collection.
- Sionainn and Nameeta give a run down on April's school holiday programmes.
- Dan Drumm explains the Learning Specialist role and Auahatanga - Creative Spaces.
- Tūranga manager Chris Hay gives a brief overview of how Tūranga came about as an anchor project for the Christchurch rebuild.
- Find out about the Book a librarian service.
- Wellbeing expo Sunday 2 April 1pm to 4pm
- Sketch @ Tūranga
- Taupuni Oro/Ataata – Audio/Video Studio
- “Tuesday Terrors” Horror book club. Last Tues of month 6.30pm to 7.30pm.
- What’s On in April

This episode was broadcast on Friday 1 April 9am, and again on Sunday 3 April at 1pm. Listen to So Many Stories on PlainsFM.
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Episode 3
Events: Find out what's on at the library
Ngā Moutere o te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa / Pasifika
Tuesday Terrors Horror Book Club
School holidays October 2022
Auahatanga - Creative Spaces
Focus on Wellbeing Mini-Expo Saturday 2 April 1pm to 4pm
Book a Librarian - At the Library or At Home
Taupuni Oro/Ataata – Audio/Video Studio: Tūranga
Episode 2 - March 2022
Here's what you'll hear in Episode 2:
- It’s Sea Week. Enjoy a visit to New Brighton Library and Matuku Takotako: Sumner Centre
- Immigrant Journeys exhibition at Tūranga
- No More Fines! An interview with Carolyn Robertson, Head of Libraries and Information
- What’s On in March
This episode was broadcast on Friday 4 March 9am, and aired again Sunday 6 March at 3.30pm. Listen to So Many Stories on PlainsFM.
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Episode 2
What's on: June, July, and August 2022
Books to celebrate Seaweek
Seaweek 2021: Mermaids and Mermen
Seaweek
Episode 1 - February 2022
Here's what you'll hear in Episode 1:
- Celebrating Lunar New Year
- A visit to Upper Riccarton Library
- Book review from The Unlikely Librarian
- What’s On in February
This episode was broadcast on Friday 4 February 9am, and will air again on Sunday 6 February at 3.30pm. Listen to So Many Stories on PlainsFM.
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Episode 1
What's on: June, July, and August 2022
The Unlikely Librarian
Lunar New Year 2022 - Year of the Tiger
Summertime Reading Challenge
Knitting
Events: Find out what's on at the library
Knit 'n' yarn
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About So Many Stories
Christchurch City Libraries is trialling having a show on PlainsFM, so we can take our stories out to a wider audience. In our pilot four episodes, we will be: visiting different libraries; discovering the amazing staff who work there; and exploring services, resources, and programming. We'll also be talking about favourite books.