Grey Lynn Library

04/06/2026

Rest in power Marjane Satrapi, Iranian graphic novelist and film maker.

03/06/2026

The Little Leys Classic Film Club
Grey Lynn Library Hall
Friday 05 June, 3:00 p.m.

Film #3 in our Stop the Press series. An unscrupulous journalist (Kirk Douglas) lands the scoop of his career when the collapse of a mineshaft allows him to milk the story of a trapped treasure-hunter for all it is worth in order to restore his reputation in the publishing world. Rated PG. 111 mins. Free event. Bookings not required

01/06/2026

Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa - Samoa Language Week: it's begun, and runs to Saturday 6 June! Celebrate with Gagana Samoa from our library display and Pasifika sections. While you're with us, enjoy Murray Grimsdale's 1980s murals of life in Savai'i.

31/05/2026

A reminder that we are closed today, Monday June 1, for King's Birthday. Instead of our popular Rhymetime session for preschoolers we offer this delightful photo from 101 years ago: "The King and Queen enjoy a ride with the children on the miniature railway", from the Supplement to the Auckland Weekly News. (Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19250625-46-02)

29/05/2026

And that's a (w)rap for our NZ Music Month celebrations this year! Thanks to Remuera Library's uke group (also run by the fabulous Jordan) for joining our ukulele jam, and we hope you enjoyed your visit to our 'hood!

28/05/2026

🎶 In our new publication, One More Song, acclaimed music journalist Martyn Pepperell sits down with five local artists to uncover their tales of performing on stage. From Philharmonia violinist Julie Park to Bic Runga, David Feaui-Afaese (LEAO), Miho Wada and DJ Half Queen, this book captures Auckland’s music scene in all its depth and range.

📚 One More Song is published by Auckland Council Libraries and is available for free when you visit our heritage exhibition Encore! at Central City Library.

Free exhibition at Central City Library | Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero, 15 April – 29 August 2026. Step into the atmosphere of past gigs that shaped Auckland's live music scene.

27/05/2026

Have a ball on King's Birthday, Monday 1 June! Grey Lynn Library will be closed as will most Auckland Council-run libraries, research centres, community hubs, community centres and arts centres EXCEPT Botany Town Centre Library (open 10am-6pm) and Flat Bush Library (10am-5pm). Photo: King's birthday ball - Auckland debutantes presented to the Governor General and the Lady Bledisloe, 1931, from the Supplement to the Auckland Weekly News. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19310610-46-01.

27/05/2026

The Little Leys Classic Film Club
Grey Lynn Library Hall
Friday 29 May, 3:00 p.m.

Film #2 in our Stop the Press series. Following the death of a flamboyant newspaper magnate (Orson Welles), a group of reporters are tasked with finding out the meaning of his final, cryptic utterance “Rosebud”, in the hope that it will shed light on the enigmatic man himself. Rated PG. 119 mins. Free event. Bookings not required

26/05/2026

No holds, no queues – just instant reading! 📚✨

Our Book Club collections on Libby and OverDrive have just been refreshed, meaning heaps of new eBooks and eAudiobooks are ready to borrow right now.

These always-available titles let you start reading straight away, even if others are reading the same book too.

Browse the blog to find collections across genres like romance, thrillers, fantasy, kids’ reads and more!

Looking to borrow free online books? Auckland Libraries offers ‘guaranteed available’ eBooks you can access anytime without waiting.

25/05/2026

In our hands-on NZ Music Month uke session, Ann (one of our oldest patrons) gets some fi*****ng tips from Jordan while Shelly, another regular, strums along with Charlotte.

25/05/2026

🎶 Celebrate NZ Music Month with a FREE live concert at Central City Library! 🎤

Inspired by NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts, this captivating series brings together intimate performances, followed by insightful interviews with some of the most talented musicians Tāmaki Makaurau has to offer.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the tunes as Phoebe Rings, Mokomokai, Spell, Spdrtwnbby and Cameron Beattie take the stage!

📅 Saturday 30 May
🕡 6:30pm
📍 Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero – Central City Library

No bookings needed — just swing by and head on in.
More info: https://bit.ly/4cLAedb

24/05/2026

Make ukulele jam with us this Wednesday afternoon! It'll be sweet. Led by 'Jukebox' Jordan and 'C Sharp' Charlotte.

24/05/2026

📅 King’s Birthday library hours 📅

All libraries, research centres, Council-run community hubs, community centres, and arts centres are closed except for Botany and Flatbush Libraries on:

🎂 King’s Birthday, Monday 1 June 2026

📖 Botany Town Centre Library will be open from 10am-6pm
📖 Flat Bush Library will be open from 10am-5pm

Pātaka Kōrero Kaewa Mobile Library and Access Services will also be closed.

View all upcoming public holiday hours here: https://bit.ly/4aBba9d

22/05/2026

Enjoy the last few days of our NZ Music Month display (up till Tuesday), lovingly curated by resident muzo Charlotte with blasts from the past in the form of great gig posters: Dead Famous People! The Verlaines! Tall Dwarfs! The Front Lawn! Etc. Note that those shiny round things - music CDs - are now free to borrow or request. Also that our Make Ukulele Jam event is Wednesday 20th (see our FB events section)!

22/05/2026

Who tells the story of a city? 🌍

African Voices: The Stories of the Lands is a new oral history collection highlighting the voices, histories and experiences of African communities in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Created together with community members themselves, the project shares stories and lived experiences in people’s own voices. 💙

Read our latest blog to explore the stories, portraits and people behind the project. https://bit.ly/49X5SDR

Discover African Voices, a new oral history collection sharing stories from African communities in Tāmaki Makaurau.

19/05/2026

Free on Thursday afternoons? 👀

Join our free Piringatahi | Heritage Collections Up Close sessions on Thursdays, right after our regular Notes on Tāmaki concerts.

It’s the perfect midday outing: live music and a rare opportunity to discover the treasures of our Heritage Collections, including a wealth of photos, manuscripts, oral histories, music and much more held at Central City Library.

Coming up:

🗺️ Thursday 21 May, 2pm: Optical illusions and honest mistakes
🎧 Thursday 18 June, 2pm: Voices of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

Reserve your spot: https://bit.ly/4cOThVm

17/05/2026

While exploring our LP collection for our exhibition Encore! we uncovered some iconic album covers. We couldn't help but try recreating a few of these ourselves. 💫 How'd we do?

Check out Encore! open now at Central City Library.

Auckland Libraries Research

14/05/2026

Fakaalofa lahi atu! 👋

We're excited to announce the opening of our new exhibition: Fenoga Tāoga Niue I Aotearoa / Niue Heritage Journey in Aotearoa.

The exhibition will offer a glimpse into the 30+ year journey of Ōtāhuhu-based Falepipi he Mafola Niuean Handcraft Group through projects and treasures made by the collective minds, hearts and hands of past and present members. 🌺

🆓FREE exhibition
📅From Thursday 21 May onwards
📍Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero - Central City Library (Level 1)

You can also borrow the book showcasing the journey, here: https://bit.ly/4d4VrjO

12/05/2026

Vocalist & instrumentalist Ella Jean is coming to perform for us, alongside Minho Choi (drums), Imogen Pearce (bass) and Cedric Charles (piano). You can expect soulful jazz vibes in our Central City Library space, which would make for a perfect lunchtime work/ study break.

📆 Thu 21 May | 12:10–1:00pm
📍 Central City Library

Free entry. Bookings recommended:

Notes on Tāmaki: Ella Jean Jazz Combo, An avid vocalist and instrumentalist, Elinor (Ella) finds ..., Whare Wānanga, Auckland, Auckland, 21 May 2026,