Having a bad hair day? Need a makeover? A new look for summer?

You don’t need to host mice in your locks to have a bad hair day!

Christchurch City Libraries may just have the solution for you.

Check out our many books, e-books, dvds and magazines on do-it-yourself:

• hair and beauty
• manicures and pedicures
• making your own beauty products at home
• health and exercise programmes
• home fashion design

These are just a small sample of the many resources we have on our shelves. So, how about giving it a go? It’s inexpensive and very rewarding. Be adventurous – try something new and do it for you!

The end of the day : Picturing Canterbury

Farmers and friend, having a beer at the end of the day (note the beer being poured from a glass half gallon jar) Labour Day, Southbridge, 1949, at an agricultural fair. Entry in the 2012 Christchurch City Libraries Photo Hunt. Kete Christchurch. CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 NZ

Enter the 2014 Christchurch Photo Hunt

Heritage Week a go go

BECA Heritage Week starts today – check out the rather splendid range of events on offer.

The big event on Sunday 19 October is Discover Central City. It is a day of family fun. There will be Tales for the kids on the Caterpillar in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens (book now on 9417923), and historic re-enactments in the newly-opened conservatories (yay Garrick House – with the crazy cactii and succulents- just re-opened today!)

You can enjoy free rides on the trams and events along the way. A retro zone at New Regent Street will feature bands, food, retro stalls, street tours and vintage motorbikes.

Library events

The library has a range of activities to celebrate our local heritage and the theme of: Making Connections — Experience our past – present – future:

• Tales on the Caterpillar – Kids get to ride on the neat Botanic Gardens caterpillar and have stories as they ride. Sunday 19 October (book now on 9417923)
• Adult storytram with Joe Bennett regaling you as you ride. Sunday 19 October (book now on 9417923)
• Cemetery tours with Richard Greenaway.

Holding onto home – Friday 17 October 6pm at Canterbury Museum

The First World War seeped and stormed into every aspect of New Zealander’s lives. The things that survived – a crumpled theatre ticket, a knitting pattern, a crucifix made from rifle cartridges – bring this distant event back into our hands today. Join Te Papa history curator, Kirstie Ross, as she talks about the importance of things in maintaining individual, family and local identities during a conflict that was global and globalising. Her talk will focus on some of the stories featured in her new book, Holding on to Home, co-authored with social historian Kate Hunter.

The Berry Boys Project – Saturday 18 October 2pm at Sydenham Room, South Library

Since 2011, Te Papa’s history curator, along with university interns, volunteers, genealogists and members of the public, have been on the trail of the identities are 120 First World War soldiers who were photographed at the Wellington studios of Berry & Co, prior to their departure for war. Join Te Papa history curator, Kirstie Ross, as she shares about the detective work undertaken to reveal the identities of more than 90 of Te Papa’s ‘Berry Boys’. Bookings essential. To RSVP please phone 941 5140. You are invited to provide a gold coin donation.

Finding my First World War soldier – Saturday 18 October 3pm at South Learning Centre Lab

Finding my First World War soldier [2.4MB PDF]

Searching for New Zealand biographical and service details during the First World War

Join a workshop with Christchurch City Libraries staff, who will introduce a range of New Zealand digital resources that will help you unravel the mysteries of your First World War photographs and official records. This is an introductory session for those just beginning to research their family war history. Follow-up workshops or support may also be offered to interested participants.Bookings essential. To RSVP please phone 941 5140.

Christchurch Photo Hunt 2014

The photo hunt takes place in October. As well as helping to boost important historical records, entrants are in line for some great prizes – one of two iPad minis or a Kobo ereader.

Previous years’ photo hunt entries can be found on Kete Christchurch.