Dunedin Public Libraries | Kā Kete Wānaka o Ōtepoti


In this special issue for June 2020, we get back to the books. The libraries are open, and we've got recommendations and reviews to whet your appetite from both print and digital collections. There's news about the Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature Possibilities Project and we hear stories from lockdown. We say hello to some authors, a publisher and a man who makes sculptures from the moon, and we bid a fond farewell to three long-serving library stalwarts who reached retirement in level 2.
Plus, there's more baking - you have been warned.


  1. A Piece of the Moon

    Being home in lockdown level 3 was the perfect opportunity for Waikouaiti Library's Amanda Whiffen to interview her artist husband. Read more…
  2. City of Literature Possibilities Project, Possibilities are endless……

    UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is the international organisation committed to creating ... Read more…
  3. Where'd all the good people go?

    While we were keeping safe at home, three members of Library staff reached a quiet milestone. Read more…
  4. Based on an Untrue Story: Novel Television Adaptations on Demand

    TVNZ is currently streaming some great adaptations of much-loved books. Read more…
  5. Author Talks: Rachel McCoubrey

    From a sea lion that fancied a dip in the saltwater pool, to a dog’s remarkable survival story, Dunedin has its share of tall-but-true ... Read more…
  6. Research, Reviews, and RDA – My Recent Responsibilities

    Not normally part of my day-to-day library work, I became very familiar with research, reviews, and RDA during the COVID-19 lockdown. Read more…
  7. Fiction Review: The Light Between Oceans by M L Stedman

    There are very few books I have found compelling enough to read twice, but The Light Between Oceans, Stedman’s first novel, is one of ... Read more…
  8. Voices from Lockdown

    Now that the Level Four pandemic response - Lockdown - is behind us, and maybe will never be experienced again, I asked some of my ... Read more…
  9. My Reading is Out of Order

    I have to admit, I'm guilty of this at the moment but sometimes it just has to be the way it is. Read more…
  10. Fiction Review: Twister by Jane Woodham

    A fine addition to the City of Literature collection. Read more…
  11. A Word in Your Ear: Lesley Smith

    Eryn Makinson interviews the Lesley Smith, publisher of Tara McLeod: A Typographic Journey Read more…
  12. Book Review

    American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins Read more…
  13. Baker's Delights

    South Dunedin Librarian Dianne Mears has been going stir crazy in lockdown. Read more…
  14. New Non Fiction eBooks and eAudiobooks

    Our selectors have been busy during lockdown adding lots more online titles for you to enjoy at home. Read more…
  15. Non-Fiction Reviews

    Kyra Gillies explores some fascinating titles from our non-fiction collection Read more…
  16. Crochet, who me?

    It all started with my Christmas Stocking, I was really excited to see some knitting needles, wool and a crochet hook. Read more…
  17. Large Print Autobiography

    Guest reviewer Cate Morrison reviews Emma’s War by Deborah Scroggins Read more…
  18. Book Review: The Power Greens Cookbook

    140 delicious superfood recipes by Dana Jacobi Read more…
  19. Check Out an Author: Elena de Roo

    Elena de Roo is a children’s writer and poet usually based in Auckland, but here in Dunedin for the first half of 2020. Read more…
  20. Young Adult Book Reviews

    Digi or not digi? A librarian compares. Read more…
  21. Bursting Bubbles with Books

    Two special Zoom sessions of Continued Sense of Wonder were held on Wednesday, 29th April 2020. Fifteen adults met to discuss books ... Read more…
  22. Travelling in Time: Adventures in History and Portals to the Past

    Some marvellous reads to help us escape to other times. Read more…
  23. Subscribe to NB

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