Auckland Libraries
 |
|
| 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 |
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]
Contents
History[edit]
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:
- Auckland City Libraries
- Bookinopolis (in the Franklin District)
- Manukau Libraries
- North Shore Libraries
- Papakura Library Services - The Sir Edmund Hillary Library
- Rodney Libraries
- Waitakere Libraries
The process of amalgamation[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
| Central | South | North | West |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avondale Library | Botany Library | Albany Village Library | Glen Eden Library |
| Blockhouse Bay Library | Highland Park Library | Birkenhead Library | Massey Library |
| Central City Library | Howick Library | Devonport Library | New Lynn War Memorial Library |
| Epsom Library | Māngere Bridge Library | East Coast Bays Library | Ranui Library |
| Glen Innes Library | Māngere East Library | Glenfield Library | Te Atatu Peninsula Library |
| Great Barrier Library | Māngere Town Centre Library | Helensville Library | Titirangi Library |
| Grey Lynn Library | Manukau Library and Research Centre | Kumeu Library | Waitakere Central Library, Henderson |
| Leys Institute Library Ponsonby | Manurewa Library | Mahurangi East Library | |
| Mt Albert Library | Otara Library | Northcote Library | |
| Mt Roskill Library | Pakuranga Library | Orewa Library | |
| Onehunga Library | Papatoetoe Library | Takapuna Library | |
| Otahuhu Library | Pukekohe Library | Warkworth Library | |
| Panmure Library | Sir Edmund Hillary Library, Papakura | Wellsford War Memorial Library | |
| Parnell Library | Te Matariki Clendon Library | Whangaparaoa Library | |
| Pt Chevalier Library | Tupu Youth Library | ||
| Remuera Library | Waiuku Library | ||
| St Heliers Library | |||
| Waiheke Library |
References[edit]
- ^ "Locations and hours", Auckland Libraries. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ^ a b c "About Auckland Libraries", Auckland Libraries. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ^ a b "New Super City officially begins". New Super City officially begins. NZ Herald. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
- ^ "About Auckland Libraries", Auckland Libraries website. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
- ^ Verran, David. 'Auckland City Libraries: Another chapter'. Auckland Libraries, 2011.
- ^ "Auckland Libraries fees and charges". Auckland Libraries website. Auckland Libraries. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
