World Languages Collections

World Languages

Information about the different world languages collections held in libraries, and online resources in a range of languages.

We also have books in different languages for children. These are found in the Children’s area of the library.

Chinese

We have titles available in the following languages:

Bilingual dictionaries

Te reo Māori and Pasifika languages

All our libraries have titles in te reo Māori in their Ngā Pounamu Māori collections.

Some libraries have Pasifika collections. Most of these books are for children. These include books in:

Collection policy

We do not actively collect books in every language. For more information please see our World Languages Collection Policy.

World languages collections by library

World languages collections include adult fiction and non-fiction. Some children’s material is also available in these languages at each of these libraries. Please note that the children’s resources in world languages are usually shelved in the children’s areas.

Akaroa Library
French
Aranui Library
NiueanRarotonganSamoanTokelauan and Tongan. A large proportion of this material is for children.
Fendalton Library
Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.
Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre
Chinese, FrenchJapaneseKorean, and Russian.
Hornby Library
Chinese
Linwood Library
Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Russian.  Some of this material is for children.
Papanui Library
Chinese, Japanese and Korean plus children's books in Chinese.
South Library
Chinese, Dutch, German, Japanese, and Korean
Shirley Library
Chinese, and Japanese
Tūranga
Afrikaans, Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Hindi, Japanese, KoreanPersian, Polish, Russian, Spanish and Turkish are found in the world languages collection on Auahatanga | Creativity, Level 4. There is also a small selection of magazines in the following languages - AfrikaansChinese, French, GermanHindi, Italian, Japanese and Russian. Children’s books are found on Hapori | Community, Level 1.
Books in Niuean, Samoan, Tokelauan and Tongan languages are found in the Pasifika collection on Tuakiri | Identity, Level 2 . Most of these books are for children.
Upper Riccarton Library
ChineseJapanese, Korean, Tagalog.

eResources

LOTE4Kids

Storytime in your language! Kids can enjoy a digital collection of books in Languages Other Than English, including NZSL and te reo Māori.

OverDrive World Languages

Chinese eBooks and eMagazines on OverDrive and the Libby app.

Mango Languages

Mango is an online language learning system that can help you learn the most popular languages in the world.

Enjoy world cinema with Kanopy

Watch films in 40 languages, including Spanish, German, French, Russian, Arabic and Japanese online with Kanopy.

PressReader: Newspapers from around the world

Use your library to access online newspapers and magazines in 60 different languages including Chinese, French, German, Arabic and more.

Read in your language with OverDrive

OverDrive has eBooks in a range of languages including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Tagalog and Italian.

Dragonsource - Chinese eMagazines

300种在线中文期刊, 支持简体和繁体, 提供原貌版, 文本版和语音版阅读!

Join the library: information in community languages

Information on joining the library in community languages.

Code of Conduct: information in community languages

Read the library Code of Conduct in community languages.

Pasifika

Resources focusing on Pacific knowledge, heritage & identity, and supporting the learning and retention of Pacific languages and culture.

Newcomers

Kia ora and welcome to Christchurch. We have a range of resources and services on offer to new residents.

Learning English

Borrow English language courses, grammar titles, or books in simple English to help you learn or access online resources focused on improving your English skills.

Learning English eResources

Tense Buster

Improve your English with Tense Buster which helps learners with 33 key grammar areas at five levels.

Practical Writing

Practical Writing is for students who need to use written English both in their studies and in their personal life.

Active Reading

Improve your reading skills, Active Reading will help those learning English to read more efficiently and more confidently.

Clear Pronunciation 2 Speech

Learn to speak English clearly, after completing Clear Pronunciation 1 Sounds learn to put the sounds of English together for natural speech

Road to IELTS: General

Self-study preparation course to help you prepare for the globally recognised IELTS exam. Tests English proficiency at a general level.

Clear Pronunciation Sounds

Learn to speak English clearly, recognise and pronounce the 43 sounds of English through audio, video and interactive activities.

Mango Languages

Mango is an online language learning system that can help you learn the most popular languages in the world.

Road to IELTS: Academic

Self-study preparation course to help you prepare for the globally recognised IELTS exam. Tests English proficiency at an academic level.

In the catalogue: Learning English

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