We’re excited to share that the way we use our library spaces is changing. In response to student feedback, we will soon be refurbishing Levels 1 and M in Te Herenga Mātauranga Whānui | General Library.Read more…
Preserving recorded heritage
Care for items in an archive is more than just ensuring there is a secure room and a shelf to sit on. The environmental conditions must be appropriate; handling should be done with care, and material needs to be findable—all elements to ensure those archives will be safe and assessable into the future. Read more…
Good things come in threes
Special Collections is thrilled to have Colin McCahon’s 1959 painting Landscape through a Victorian window on display in the Reading Room.Read more…
Our subject guides have changed!
We have updated our subject guides to better help you find the information you need.Read more…
There’s a world of resources waiting for you
Te Tumu Herenga | Libraries and Learning Services is excited to announce that our interlibrary loan service, available to staff and students, had a major upgrade on Wednesday 15 November. Our new interloan system, Rapido, aims to provide seamless, simplifiedRead more…
Farewell Sylvia Ashton-Warner Library at Epsom
The Sylvia Ashton-Warner Library, at Epsom, is closing its doors for the last time on Monday 13 November 2023. Services and collections are transferring to the General Library at the City Campus.Read more…
University of Auckland 140 years: Shelf life
This imagined day in the life of the library, written for the University’s 140th anniversary this year, is based on sources mainly in Special Collections.Read more…
Remember and reflect: The Declaration of Independence and the National Day of Commemoration for the New Zealand Wars
28 October 2022 marks the anniversary of the signing of He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tirene: the Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand in 1835. Te Pūtake o te Riri, He Rā Maumahara, or the National Day of Commemoration for the New Zealand Wars, is commemorated on the same date. Read more…
We’re upgrading the Library website!
The Library website is getting a much-needed upgrade! Over the next few months, we’ll be reviewing our content to ensure you’re getting the most relevant, up-to-date information. We’ll also be restructuring our content to improve the user experience, so you can easily find the information you need when you need it.Read more…
Access to Special Collections material affected by building work
Due to building work in the General Library | Te Herenga Mātauranga Whānui, some Special Collections material will not be available until Monday 6 November 2023.Read more…
Open Access Week 24-27 October 2023: What’s on?
Open Access Week is a global programme that occurs annually at the end of October. This year’s theme is Community Over Commercialisation and the week will run from 24-27 October. Read more about Open Access Week.Read more…
The Sylvia Ashton-Warner Library at Epsom is closed
As part of the wider closure of the Epsom Campus, the Sylvia Ashton-Warner Library at Epsom is closed from Tuesday 14 November 2023. Get key information about how this will affect your Library and Student Hubs services.Read more…
Vaiaso o te ‘Gana Tuvalu -Tuvalu Language Week 2023
Fakatalofa atu – welcome to Vaiaso o te ‘Gana Tuvalu -Tuvalu Language Week, which includes Tuvalu Independence Day on 1 October. This year’s theme is fakatumau kae fakaakoi tau ‘gana ke mautu a iloga o ‘ta tuā – preserve and embrace your language to safeguard our heritage identities. Read more…
Drawing lessons from Rewi Thompson
The work of Rewi Thompson (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Raukawa) and his legacy as a teacher and indigenous architect of international renown is explored in the new book ‘Rewi: Āta haere, kia tere’. Read more…
Mental Health Awareness Week
In 2023, Mental Health Awareness Week will take place from 18-24 September. This year’s theme is Five Ways, Five Days, with the Mental Health Foundation providing a set of proven tools to boost our mental health when we need it.Read more…
Te Wiki o te reo Māori 2023
He mihi tēnei ki a koutou katoa i runga i Te Wiki o te Reo Māori. Haere mai ki Te Tumu Herenga ki te whakanui i tō tātou reo rangatira. Nō reira, kia kaha te reo Māori.Read more…
Finding a world of Māori and Pacific sound
The Archive of Māori and Pacific Sound (AMPS) has been around for a long time, gathering and caring for recordings from all around Aotearoa and throughout the span of the Pacific, and providing access to those recordings to communities and researchers. Read more…
Track the impact of your research with metrics
Research metrics tools help you as a researcher to quantify and assess the quality of your research impact, publications and other research outputs. You can then use this data to promote your work, highlight the significance of your contributions to your field, maximise your research visibility, track your impact and monitor your citations.Read more…
Uike Lea Faka-Tonga – Tonga Language Week
Mālō e lelei! Tonga Language Week runs from Sunday 3 September to Saturday 9 September 2023.Read more…
Improve your Discovery Profile in five easy steps
Your Discovery Profile is an external profile created by the University of Auckland for its academic staff and doctoral candidates. It increases the visibility of your research and expertise and can improve your reputation as a researcher. Keeping your Discovery Profile public, complete and up to date will help you gain higher citation rates, as well as more funding and collaboration opportunities.Read more…
Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani – Cook Islands Language Week
‘Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani – Cook Islands Language week kicks off from Sunday 30 July to Saturday 5 August 2023. In the latest 2018 Census, 80,532 people of Cook Islands descent live in Aotearoa and 46,668 people of Cook Islands live in Tamaki Makaurau.Read more…
Collection connections: In the Lee of a Looted Island
The University of Auckland art collection is a significant part of Cultural Collections, and we are extremely excited to have a painting from the collection recently installed in the Special Collections Reading Room, Ground Floor, General Library.
The painting, ‘In the Lee of a Looted Island’ (1966), is by Don Binney and has recently been returned from having some routine conservation. Read more…
Our Mātauranga Māori and Pacific collections are on the move!
From 24 July 2023, the General Library’s Mātauranga Māori and Pacific collections are temporarily moving to Levels 3 and 4.Read more…
Matariki, more than a star: Remember, reflect, and reset
Matariki, Māori New Year, signals a time to reflect on what we have learned, contributed, and are grateful for.Read more…
University of Auckland 140 years: In the classroom
To mark the 140th anniversary of the opening of Auckland University College (AUC), Special Collections goes back into the classroom to look at university teaching before PowerPoint, Zoom and Canvas.Read more…
ResBaz Aotearoa: 26-30 June 2023
Calling all researchers and postgraduate research students! Here is your chance to participate in ResBaz Aotearoa — the Research Bazaar. ResBaz is a worldwide festival and conference, promoting essential digital literacy and online research skills.Read more…
General Library shelving removal: Levels 1 and M 27-29 June 2023
From Tuesday 26 June to Thursday 28 June, the empty shelves will be removed from Levels 1 and M in Te Herenga Mātauranga Whānui | General Library. This work will have no impact on access to Mātauranga Māori and the Pacific Collection.Read more…
International Archives Week: Archives United
This week is International Archives Week, marking the foundation of the International Council of Archives (ICA), under the auspices of UNESC0, on 9 June 1948. This year the event also celebrates 75 years of the ICA’s work to promote the importance of records and archives and the work of those who care for them.Read more…
Malo lava le soifua, Susu mai, Afio mai, Maliu Mai. Manuia le vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa.
Welcome to Samoa Language Week 2023. The theme for this year is: ‘Mitamita I lau gagana, maua’a lou fa’asinomaga,’ meaning ‘Be proud of your language and be grounded in your identity.’Read more…
Succeed this semester with support from the library!
There’s a lot more to the library, Te Tumu Herenga, than our books. Let us support you to succeed at University this semester. Read more…
Postgrad workshop: Abstract writing
Get some practical ideas on writing abstracts for conference and paper submissions.Read more…
University of Auckland 140 years: First four professors
To mark the 140th anniversary of the opening of Auckland University College (AUC), Special Collections has taken a closer look at the appointment and careers of the first four professors.Read more…
Library goes fines-free
Te Tumu Herenga | Libraries and Learning Services has stopped charging fines for overdue library items. Old fines on your account have all been cleared.Read more…
Exam preparation
Get some tips for exam preparation from Learning Essentials or book in an exam prep workshop.Read more…
Rotuman Language Week 2023
Rotuman (Fäeag Rotųam) Language Week 2023 takes place from Sunday 7 May to Saturday 13 May. The theme for Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta – Rotuman Language Week 2023 is Vetḁkia ‘os Fäega ma Ag fak hanua – Sustaining our Language and Culture.Read more…
Altmetrics: Who is reading your research?
In the era of social media and open access, the way we find, read, share and publish academic work is evolving. Altmetric Explorer shows how your audience is connecting with your research.Read more…
Kate Edger Information Commons 20th anniversary
The Kate Edger Information Commons opened for business twenty years ago on Monday 28 April 2003.Read more…
Sylvia Ashton-Warner Library at Epsom changes
Starting in May 2023, low-use items in the Sylvia Ashton-Warner Library collection will be transferred to the On-Demand Collection, and the Library Catalogue will show this new location.Read more…
Acknowledging sources in your academic work
Acknowledging your sources is an essential part of academic work. Book a workshop and explore the online resources from the Library to help you with paraphrasing, summarising, quoting and referencing.Read more…
Open Access publishing: Who pays the fees?
The University of Auckland has several Open Access Publishing Agreements with major publishing companies allowing open access publishing with the publication fee paid by the University.Read more…
Alice Minchin: Leading the way for women in libraries
Alice Minchin was the first professionally qualified woman librarian in New Zealand becoming the Librarian at Auckland University College from 1918 to 1945.Read more…
Searching databases for Medical and Health Sciences information
Te Tumu Herenga | Libraries and Learning Services is pleased to present two new workshops to help you build effective database searching skills in the field of Medical and Health SciencesRead more…
2023 Auckland flood response
Our TV and Radio 2023 Auckland Flood Response playlist highlights the performances of local and central government during and immediately following the floods.Read more…
University of Auckland 140th Anniversary: Orientation
To coincide with Orientation Week, Special Collections has put together a display celebrating this important and fun part of the university year.Read more…
Canvas resources and workshops for postgraduate students
Te Tumu Herenga’s Research Advisers are here to help you succeed on your postgraduate research journey. Learn about our postgraduate workshops and Canvas resources.Read more…
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Te Tiriti o Waitangi is the agreement between the Crown and Māori that was signed on 6 February 1840 by 40 rangatira and Captain Hobson at Waitangi.Read more…
Severe weather in Auckland and Northland: Cyclone Gabrielle
Our physical spaces, including Student Hubs, Libraries and Information Commons at all campuses, will reopen for in-person on-campus delivery from Thursday 16 February.Read more…
Shut Up and Write! sessions in 2023
Our popular postgraduate workshop ‘Shut Up and Write!’ is starting again in early 2023. Meet other postgrads and start developing writing habits that will help with your studies and research.Read more…
Succeed this semester with support from the library!
There’s a lot more to the library, Te Tumu Herenga, than our books. Let us support you to succeed at University this semester. Read more…
Start with the library to make your summer studies a success
There’s a lot more to the library, Te Tumu Herenga, than our books. This Summer School, let us support you to succeed at University. Read more…
Not-so-festive festive films
Not feeling so festive during this festive time of year? Read on for some alternative festive films to watch for free this holiday season.Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: Titirangi summer cottage
Sleeping porches were a fashionable feature of homes designed at the turn of the 20th century. See an example in a Titirangi ‘summer cottage’ in the final Special Collections Twenty at 20 series story. Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: Throughlines
Intriguing item no. 19 is a 1965 exhibition catalogue that contextualises an Auckland artist’s work, provides a snapshot of the gallery scene and wonderfully evokes the era. Read more. Read more…
Top-five festive films to watch (for free) this merry-hairy season
Bleeding hearts of the world unite! The University of Auckland’s Libraries and Learning Services has collated a free list of movies to get you into the holiday cheer (or to console you in your misery). Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: Naval gazing
Paul Beadle is probably best known as an influential sculptor, artist and first Dean of the Elam School of Fine Art. What is less well known is that he served with the Royal Navy as a submariner and navy artist. Dive deeper in the latest Twenty at 20 story. Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: Prescription for the future
Special Collections holds medical records requiring researchers to be patient. To learn why, read story number 17 in the Twenty at 20 series. Read more…
General Library collection changes update
Work continues in Te Herenga Mātauranga Whānui | General Library on our collection layout and Level 2 will be closed from Tuesday 15 November 2022. Read more…
Your new Library homepage is here!
In late November 2022, after Semester Two exams have finished, you’ll notice some exciting new changes on the Te Tumu Herenga | Libraries and Learning Services homepage. Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: A tasty treat
This correspondence register was made in Sydney, used in Port Vila, stored in Suva and shipped around the world twice before coming to Special Collections with the Western Pacific Archives in 2002. Somewhere on its travels it was eaten by beetle larvae. Discover more about its journey in the latest Special Collections Twenty at 20 story. Read more…
Te Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau – Tokelau Language Week 2022
Tâlofa nî! Mâlô nî! Welcome to Te vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau, Tokelau Language Week Sunday 23 October to Saturday 29 October 2022. This year’s theme is “Halahala ki vavau, kae ke mau ki pale o Tokelau” which means “To plan for the future is to understand the past.”Read more…
Celebrating Open Access Week 2022
Find out about the ‘Open for Climate Justice’ free online events for Open Access Week 2022 and discover how you can publish open access with support from the University of Auckland.Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: Sweeping rooflines
To mark this year’s 20th anniversary of Special Collections, the curators have selected some intriguing items for the Twenty at 20 series. No 15 examines an idyllic watercolour of a large country house at Turakina.Read more…
Niue Language Week 2022
Fakaalofa lahi atu! It’s Niue Language Week, Faahi Tapu he Vagahau Niue Sunday 16 October – Saturday 22 October 2022. This year’s theme is Fakatūleva e Vagahau Niue mo e Tau Aga Fakamotu ma e Tau Atuhau, which means “SustainRead more…
October marks ADHD Awareness Month
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by inattention, distractibility and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity. Learn about support offered by the University of Auckland for students with ADHD.Read more…
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month!
October marks Dyslexia Awareness Month. Dyslexia affects one out of every ten New Zealanders, but it has only been officially recognized by our government as a significant learning difference since 2007.Read more…
Fijian Language Week 2022
Ni sa bula! Welcome to Fiji Language Week Macawa Ni Vosa Vakaviti which runs from 3-9 October. Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: Unexpected photographs
A Special Collections copy of the report on the 1939 Young Māori Conference held at Auckland University College differs from the standard version. Story number 14 in the Twenty at 20 series explains why.Read more…
Vaiaso o te ‘Gana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week 2022
Discover six things about Tuvalu and explore resources, including documentaries on the impact of climate change. Read more…
Bruce Biggs and the revitalisation of te reo Māori
The Māori language petition for active recognition of te reo Māori was delivered to Parliament in 1972. It had over 30,000 signatures and became the starting point for a significant revitalisation of te reo Māori.
At the time, te reo Māori revitalisation was still in its infancy at the University of Auckland, after receiving a boost during the 1950s, with Bruce Biggs — ethnographer, linguist, and champion of te reo Māori — at the helm. Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: Letter from the Tongan Royal Household
To mark this year’s 20th anniversary of Special Collections, the curators have selected some intriguing items for the Twenty at 20 series. Here is number 13. Written in lea faka-Tonga This 1912 letter announcing the baptism of Princess Elisiva FusipalaRead more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: Favourite ephemera
To mark this year’s 20th anniversary of Special Collections, the curators share item number twelve, our favourite piece of ephemera: a 1948 Ashes football test match souvenir programme. Read more…
Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav: 75th Year of Independence Day of India
August 15, 2022 will mark Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, or the 75th Year of Independence Day of India. Independence Day commemorates the end of British rule and the establishment of a free and independent Indian nation.Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: ‘Little all alone’
What links kittens, Crunchies, and a Victorian portrait album? Read the latest Special Collections Twenty at 20 story to find out.Read more…
40 years of Winter Lectures
Back in the winter of 1958, historian Sir Keith Sinclair proposed the University of Auckland follow Canterbury University’s lead in establishing a special series of lunchtime lectures on topics that could be addressed by speakers from a range of departments and faculties. Make a cup of tea and begin to explore almost 40 years’ worth of free public lectures.Read more…
Calling all postgraduates: new resources on Canvas!
Libraries and Learning Services have been doing more mahi to support our postgraduate researchers. The Postgraduate Skills Canvas page has recently been expanded to include some exemplars of outstanding theses from across Waipapa Taumata Rau | the University of Auckland.Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: Revolving diagrams
What was this ingenious 17th century revolving book diagram used for? Read the latest Special Collections Twenty at 20 story to find out.Read more…
Commemorating Mervyn McLean (1930-2022)
Te Tumu Herenga | Libraries and Learning Services commemorates Mervyn McLean for the enduring legacy that he has left behind, in light of the news of his passing away 8 July 2022.Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: An iconic Swanndri
To mark this year’s 20th anniversary of Special Collections, the curators share item number nine, geographer Kenneth Cumberland’s Swanndri jacket which he wore on the 1980s television series Landmarks.Read more…
Join our Poster Design Workshops
Te Tumu Herenga | Libraries and Learning Services is offering workshops that will help you to tailor your message to your audience and provide some practical tips for designing an effective and engaging research poster.Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: Well-travelled letter book returns
Notable Auckland architect Daniel B. Patterson’s letter book provides insights into his clients, contractors and collaborators. Read more in the eighth story in the Twenty at 20 series. Read more…
Upcoming TV and Radio changes
Te Tumu Herenga’s TV and Radio service is undergoing a few changes as we seek to make wise use of our resources and better align our service with Waipapa Taumata Rau’s IT strategy. Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: A quirky scrapbook
Many of the archival collections in the care of Special Collections have been part of Te Tumu Herenga | Libraries and Learning Services for much longer than two decades. Among these is the William Steadman Aldis papers, gifted to the Library in 1940 by his youngest daughter Amy Letitia Aldis.Read more…
EndNote users – update your connection file before 4 July 2022
If you use EndNote, your University of Auckland connection file needs to be updated. We’ve got a step-by-step guide that shows you how to do this.Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: The sweetest item
The sixth story in the Twenty at 20 series is an election sweetener. A Labour-red lollipop was handed out to students in the Quad in 2002 and is the only confectionary item in Special Collections. Read more…
James Joyce exhibition and talk
Special Collections has mounted an exhibition, James Joyce: in his wake, that highlights several works by the Irish modernist writer, including Ulysses, some early poetry and his final novel, Finnegans Wake. The exhibition also features writing, music, fine printing and art inspired by Joyce’s unique voice.Read more…
Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa – Samoa Language Week 2022
Tālofa! Susū mai! Afio mai! Maliu mai! Welcome to Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa – Samoan Language Week, Sunday 29 May-Saturday 4 June 2022, including Samoa’s 60th year of Independence on Wednesday 1 June 2022. Read more…
Dawn blessing of the new Student Hubs
At 6am on Monday, 11 April 2022, Te Tumu Herenga | Libraries and Learning Services staff and Student Hubs project members gathered for the blessing of the new Student Hubs spaces across five Waipapa Taumata Rau campuses.Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: Archive within an archive
Tapa notebook poetry project: ‘Issa gift(s) that keeps on giving’. The fifth story in the Twenty at 20 series explores spoken word poet, Zechariah Soakai’s ‘tapa notebook’. The notebook is inspired by other poets’ work held in Special Collections.Read more…
Installation and blessing of Maureen Lander’s Pou Iho
The week of 27-28 April 2022 saw the installation and blessing of Pou Iho, a new, specially commissioned collaborative artwork led by renowned Ngāpuhi (Te Hikutu) weaver-artist whaea Maureen Lander.Read more…
Rotuman Language Week 2022
Rotuman (Fäeag Rotųam) Language Week 2022 will take place from Sunday 8 May to Saturday 14 May. Sustainability is the overarching theme for the 2022 Pacific Language Weeks.Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: McCahon’s glorious glass
Colin McCahon drawings identified in the James Hackshaw architectural papers helped to authenticate windows at a Rotorua school. Learn more in the fourth Twenty at 20 series article.Read more…
Masters Thesis update: Digital only and Open Access
The University of Auckland Masters Thesis Regulations have undergone two recent changes, relating to digital only and Open Access.Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: Our wordiest title page
Title pages were once very crowded with lengthy descriptive text. The third story in the Twenty at 20 series examines the book in the Special Collections stacks with the wordiest title page. Read more…
Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition and workshops 2022
Take the challenge to share the story of you research with a general audience in under three minutes in the Three Minute Thesis competition.Read more…
A step back in time: student life in the 1920s
Have you ever sat in a classroom in one of the University’s older buildings and wondered about the staff and students who came before you? We take a step back in time to reflect on student life in the 1920s.Read more…
Autism Acceptance Month: Join our Autism Spectrum Hangout Group
April marks Autism Acceptance Month, a month that aims to recognise and spread acceptance of Autistic people. To celebrate, our Inclusive Learning team is sharing the virtual and in-person Autism Spectrum Hangout Group that is running throughout Semester One on Fridays.Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: Lectures 1883-style
Students managing their complicated timetables this semester will be surprised by the simplicity of the first lecture timetable after the University’s opening in May 1883, our second 20th anniversary of Special Collections Twenty at 20 item.Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: Illuminated manuscript fragments
Special Collections is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year with a programme of exhibitions, stories, talks and events. This collection of illuminated manuscript fragments was gifted to the University by Emeritus Professor Frank R. Horlbeck, Department of Art History, University of Wisconsin – Madison.Read more…
Inclusive Learning for neurodiverse students: New look web pages!
Inclusive Learning Advisers offer specialist support for neurodiverse students. We help students with specific learning disabilities apply for special assessment conditions and offer screening and needs-based learning assessments.Read more…
New Study and Research Skills Hubs for your faculty
Te Tumu Herenga are excited to launch the new faculty-based Study and Research Skills Hubs: a set of online study tools designed to help you develop the academic skills needed to succeed in your studies.Read more…