Auckland Libraries

Auckland Libraries
Ngā Whare Mātauranga o Tāmaki Makaurau
Established 2010
Location Auckland, New Zealand
Branches 55[1]
Collection
Size Approx. 3.5 million items[2]
Access and use
Circulation Approx. 16 million items borrowed annually[2]
Population served Approx. 12 million annual visitors[2]
Other information
Director Allison Dobbie (Manager Libraries)
Website Auckland Libraries
The Central City Library in the Auckland CBD.

Auckland Libraries is the public library system for the Auckland region of New Zealand. It was created when the seven separate councils in the Auckland region merged in 2010.[3] It is currently the largest public library network in the Southern Hemisphere with 55 branches from Wellsford to Waiuku.[4]

History

In November 2010, Auckland's local councils merged to create the Auckland Council. As a result of this process, the seven public library systems within the region were combined to form Auckland Libraries. The following is a list of library networks that amalgamated to form the current Auckland Libraries:

The process of amalgamation

In the years leading up to the merger of the library systems within Auckland, the separate library systems combined to form a consortium so that they could align their processes. This organisation was called eLGAR ("Libraries for a Greater Auckland Region"). This consortium settled on Millenium as their Library Management System (LMS) and the libraries within this system all moved to this software. The result was that the library systems were able to offer their customers a seamless transition to membership of the larger network, with immediate access to all 55 libraries from November 1, 2010 (the first day of the new council).

Auckland City Libraries

Prior to the amalgamation, Auckland City Libraries was a network of 17 public libraries and a mobile library operated by Auckland City Council.

In September 1880, the Auckland City Council took responsibility for the library of the Auckland Mechanics Institute (which dated back to 1942, but had come under financial difficulties). In 1887, Sir George Grey donated around 8,000 books (doubling the existing collection) and a new building was erected for the library on the corner of Wellesley Street and Coburg (now Kitchener) Street. At the time, this building housed the entire collection for the Auckland public library in addition to the city's art collection. This building is now the Auckland Art Gallery.[3]

The building that currently houses the Central City library was opened in 1971.[5]

Bookinopolis

Before amalgamation, three public libraries made up Bookinopolis: Pukekohe Library, Waiuku Library and Tuakau Library. Bookinopolis was previously managed by the Franklin District Library Trust. In the amalgamated system, both Pukekohe and Waiuku libraries are the most southern branches of Auckland Libraries.

Manukau Libraries

Preceding amalgamation, Manukau Libraries was a network of thirteen branch libraries, a mobile library service and a research centre operated by Manukau City Council. These libraries were originally brought together in 1989 by a New Zealand-wide restructure of local governments. The first library to open under Manukau City was based in Manurewa. It would be Manukau City's first full-service free public library. In August 2001, Manukau Libraries opened up the first and only youth-focussed library in New Zealand, Tupu-Dawson Road Youth Library. The last library to open under Manukau Libraries would be Te Matariki Clendon Library in February 2006. The library would sit in a Community Centre which would bring together library, leisure, childcare and youth services under one roof.

North Shore Libraries

Prior to the amalgamation, North Shore Libraries was a network of six libraries and a mobile library service operated by North Shore City Council. These libraries had originally been brought together by an earlier amalgamation of local government branches - in 1989, North Shore council was formed by combining the various boroughs that had previously existed in this area.

Current Operation

Membership of Auckland Libraries is free for residents and ratepayers of the Auckland Council region. Auckland Libraries has free lending collections and a small number of rental collections (DVDs, console games, and CDs).[6] Library members can request an item from any of the libraries in Auckland Libraries for free.

There is free internet access at all libraries and many of the libraries have wireless internet. The library system also gives access to three specialised eBook suppliers: Overdrive, BorrowBox (run by Bolinda), and Wheelers. There is also a Digital Library which includes over 100 databases.

The library system also provides a number of free events: Wriggle and Rhyme: Active Movement for Early Learning for babies; storytime for toddlers; book clubs for teens and adults; guest speakers and author talks; movie nights; school holiday programmes, computer learning classes and more.

Branches

Central South North West
Avondale LibraryBotany LibraryAlbany Village LibraryGlen Eden Library
Blockhouse Bay LibraryHighland Park LibraryBirkenhead LibraryMassey Library
Central City LibraryHowick LibraryDevonport LibraryNew Lynn War Memorial Library
Epsom LibraryMāngere Bridge LibraryEast Coast Bays LibraryRanui Library
Glen Innes LibraryMāngere East LibraryGlenfield LibraryTe Atatu Peninsula Library
Great Barrier LibraryMāngere Town Centre LibraryHelensville LibraryTitirangi Library
Grey Lynn LibraryManukau Library and Research CentreKumeu LibraryWaitakere Central Library, Henderson
Leys Institute Library PonsonbyManurewa LibraryMahurangi East Library
Mt Albert LibraryOtara LibraryNorthcote Library
Mt Roskill LibraryPakuranga LibraryOrewa Library
Onehunga LibraryPapatoetoe LibraryTakapuna Library
Otahuhu LibraryPukekohe LibraryWarkworth Library
Panmure LibrarySir Edmund Hillary Library, PapakuraWellsford War Memorial Library
Parnell LibraryTe Matariki Clendon LibraryWhangaparaoa Library
Pt Chevalier LibraryTupu Youth Library
Remuera LibraryWaiuku Library
St Heliers Library
Waiheke Library

References

  1. "Locations and hours", Auckland Libraries. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 "About Auckland Libraries", Auckland Libraries. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "New Super City officially begins". New Super City officially begins. NZ Herald. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  4. "About Auckland Libraries", Auckland Libraries website. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  5. Verran, David. 'Auckland City Libraries: Another chapter'. Auckland Libraries, 2011.
  6. "Auckland Libraries fees and charges". Auckland Libraries website. Auckland Libraries. Retrieved 8 January 2014.

External links