Timaru District Libraries

Check out the incredible art created by Woodbury school pupils on a recent visit to Temuka Library, Service & Information Centre.

They were studying all about soil, listened to a story and then coloured in some beautifully bright insects!

Welcoming Week, 4 - 13 September, is an opportunity to celebrate the people, places and connections that make the Timaru District a great place to call home.

This year's theme, Together We Belong, recognises that belonging is something we create together. Whether you've lived here your whole life, arrived recently from another part of New Zealand, or made Timaru District your home from overseas, everyone has a role to play in building a connected, inclusive and welcoming community.

Timaru Library is hosting a Living Library event on Tuesday 8th September at 5.00pm, and we would love you to be a part of it!

A Living Library is a unique event where people become “books” and are “borrowed’ for conversations. These Human Books share their personal stories, experiences, or perspectives, creating a safe space for dialogue, understanding, and connection.

To register your interest in being a 'reader', you need to either contact [email protected] or phone Timaru Library on 03 68 77202.

And check out the Welcoming Week page on the Timaru District Council website for a full list of activities!
https://www.timaru.govt.nz/community/community-and-culture/welcoming-communities/welcoming-week

August is Family History Month.

The ultimate public talk is here! What an amazing month it has been.
On Wednesday morning, the Community Room in Timaru Library will be the place to be. 😃
Hear all about the new content being added to Aoraki Heritage Collection, what Collections are on there and the different Connections tying them all together.

We look forward to seeing you!

Join us for an exclusive live online event with Matt Haig on the 7th of September!

Don’t miss the internationally bestselling author of The Midnight Library and Reasons to Stay Alive, as he talks books, ideas and his latest novel The Midnight Train, followed by a live audience Q & A.
Hosted by BorrowBox – you'll need to sign up via the link: https://bolinda.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OUgI2AxrTQS6bKP3vu04XQ #/registration

To check out other Matt Haig books/ebooks/eaudio we have, copy and paste the following into your browser: https://tinyurl.com/7xh2t7jd

August is Family History Month.

The penultimate public talk is nearly here!
Join Dave Jack for his talk 'atDNA Tips & Tricks for Family History Research'.

This is a practical introduction to autosomal DNA for family history research.

We look forward to seeing you there. 😃

Today is the day! 🥳🎊🎉A book launch for an adorable book about a little blue penguin that lives in Caroline Bay! 🤩🥳😍🥰

Timaru Children's Library are excited to be the back-up venue if the weather refuses to co-operate. ☔⛈ but we do have all our fingers and toes crossed for a lovely day. 🤞

Go and give Kahu's Adventures a like and a follow on Facebook to be kept in the loop, definitely about the book and about the weather!

On Sunday there's a book launch for an adorable book about a little blue penguin that lives in Caroline Bay! 🤩🥳😍🥰🥳🎊🎉

Timaru Children's Library are excited to be the back-up venue if the weather refuses to co-operate. ☔⛈ but we do have all our fingers and toes crossed for a lovely day tomorrow. 🤞

Go and give Kahu's Adventures a like and a follow on Facebook to be kept in the loop, definitely about the book and about the weather!

There is good news and bad news. What would you like first? . . . . . .

Bad news it is:
The Era Books online and Era Books app will be unavailable from 10am for up to 6 hours on Monday 16 August.🥺
I know it's sad but here's the good news . . . . . .
By upgrading the platform, they will be able to unlock some exciting new features!!
🥳🎈🎊🎉

If you have no idea what I am talking about, head to the kids page on our website and check out Era Books Online. https://library.timaru.govt.nz/kids
As the blurb states: "Explore Era Books Online – a vast collection of over 1400 books, games and activities where children can improve their reading, writing and comprehension skills using educational books, exercises and learning guides which will support the development of English literacy skills.

This free resource includes picture and phonics books; levelled, maths and science readers; sing-alongs, picture dictionaries and interactive learning activities. All you need is your library membership number to get started – give it a go today!"

It is a lot of fun and kids get to have fun while improving literacy and comprehension skills.😊

A free community event??!! That's also a book launch for an adorable book about a little blue penguin that lives in Caroline Bay????? 🤩🥳😍🥰

Timaru Children's Library are excited to be the back-up venue if the weather refuses to co-operate. ☔⛈ but we do have all our fingers and toes crossed for a lovely day on the 16th August. 🤞

Go and give Kahu's Adventures a like and a follow on Facebook to be kept in the loop, about the book and especially about the weather!

Libby Reads is back for August!
Libby Reads (New Zealand) is a global ebook club and it's completely free. Readers in participating libraries in New Zealand can enjoy the same featured book at the same time, with no wait lists and no holds.

Some mysteries pull you in. This one grabs you from page one. When Caleb Zelic's childhood friend is murdered, he sets out to find the killer and clear his own name. Profoundly deaf since early childhood, Caleb has spent his life noticing the details everyone else misses, but this time, every clue seems to lead to more questions. Starting today you can borrow, Resurrection Bay, in ebook or audiobook format through their library.
Once you've finished reading, jump into the Libby Reads discussion board to share your thoughts and see what everyone else is saying.
And check out the live interview on 26 August, 2026 7.30pm with Jacqueline Bublitz. (You can register now.)