Timaru District Libraries

Timaru District Libraries is very excited to announce the launch of its online database aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz which can be accessed from the Timaru District Libraries homepage. A key aim of the database is to provide easy online access to non-lendable material in the Aoraki Heritage Collection. This is an ongoing digitalisation project, with items being added regularly.

The Aoraki Heritage Collection is a permanent collection of published material that captures the history of the people, places and environment of the South Canterbury region. The collection covers the entire South Canterbury area, from the Rangitata River in the north, to the Waitaki River in the south, and inland right over to Aoraki/Mt Cook. The collection consists of everything from family histories, school, club and church jubilees, school magazines, promotional publications, local guidebooks and directories, cook books, and fiction by local authors. The Library also holds copies of local newspapers including the Timaru Herald, dating back to 1864.

Whilst a lot of these items are available for lending, access to many of them (including newspapers) is problematic due to issues such as fragility and/or rarity. Using the cloud based Recollect platform, Aoraki Heritage Online now provides public access to over 3,000 items from the collection, including newspaper clippings, publications (including school magazines), photographs, and other information items relating to people, places, organisations and events.

As the Library receives many research enquiries, not only from its local library users, but also from around New Zealand and overseas, the online database will increase access for those looking to research South Canterbury history. It is also especially important now with the introduction of the Aotearoa New Zealand’s Histories curriculum, which has a strong focus on local history.

The digitalisation project is ongoing, and as time goes on many more items will be scanned and uploaded to the platform. For more information about the Aoraki Heritage Collection and Aoraki Heritage Online, contact Heritage Librarians Marie Rapley and Julie James, or email aoraki@timdc.govt.nz

Timaru District Libraries offer a wide selection of print, large print, audio, jigsaws, DVDs and magazines. Thousands of eBooks and eAudiobooks for people of all ages are available across our digital platforms: BorrowBox, OverDrive, Hoopla and ePlatform by Wheelers. Patrons can download the platform apps to their preferred devices for convenient access to favourite authors and genres, and for reading on-the-go. As well as eBooks and eAudiobooks, Hoopla also has a wide range of comics and music to enjoy.

Library members also have access to a large and ever-growing collection of films, documentaries and television shows to stream through the Kanopy, Beamafilm and Hoopla platforms. Currently patrons may borrow up to 20 items each from Kanopy and Hoopla per month. Beamafilm offers unlimited streaming. There is plenty of great content for children on these platforms too and unlimited access to Kanopy Kids.

There is lots of fantastic online content for children to explore and enjoy. One of our favourite additions, LOTE Online, is a database of over 1200 digital picture books in over 40 languages. Each book includes an English translation to help children with language learning. New books are added regularly to the database.

It is now free for anyone to join Timaru District Libraries, no matter where they live. The outof-district subscription fee has been removed so there is no better time to become a member and discover all that our library branches have to offer. There is something for everyone. To find out more about our fantastic services and collections visit our library branches in Timaru, Temuka and Geraldine, or find us on Facebook, Instagram or at www.timarudistrictlibraries.co.nz