Update on Leys Institute Library

A message from Mirla

4 March 2020: Read latest update about Leys Institute Little Library opening date

19 December 2020: Read Leys Institute Library closure announcement and FAQs

31 January 2020

I am pleased to provide you with an update on library services and the Leys Institute Library.

Over the holiday period we worked to find an interim solution for the community and today we take over the lease of a retail space at 14 Jervois Rd, Ponsonby, just 100m from the Leys Institute Library.

It will take some time to design, convert and fit it out, but we expect to open the 'Leys Little Library' mid-March. When we have a more precise date I will let you know.

The footprint is smaller than previous and the Leys team are thinking creatively about how to make the very most of the space available. From library data, we can see the 'hot' parts of the collection that are most used so we can make sure that the most popular genres have lots of fresh content that turns over regularly. You will still be able to reserve items from any one of our 55 libraries and pick them up from the new site. Free WiFi will be available and there will be public computers and printers too. The opening days and hours will be the same as before.

What will be different is that most of our programs and events will be run by the team nearby in other community spaces and places because the floor area is limited. We have had a great response from the community and library manager Lucia and the Leys staff have already discovered some great opportunities to collaborate. We expect that a bonus will be reaching members of the community who perhaps were not fully aware of the library service before.

I know some customers were concerned for the wellbeing of the Leys team. As I said at the time, their employment did not and does not change. They are enjoying working in other libraries, mainly within the Waitematā Local Board area including Central City Library, until the 'Leys Little Library' opens in March. They tell me they have seen lots of friendly Leys customer faces at those other libraries!

Finally, in terms of the building itself, Council is working closely with the Waitematā Local Board. Work is already underway to understand what will be necessary to restore Leys Institute Library & Gymnasium, including the options for seismic upgrade. This is a very important, detailed and complex piece of work involving a 'class A' heritage building which will be presented to the Board in June. Meanwhile, the building will remain cordoned off and regularly checked in the interim.

We have put the health and safety of our people and customers first and we thank you for your patience and understanding.

We are looking forward to welcoming you into 'Little Leys' as soon as we can.

Mirla

Mirla Edmundson, FLIANZA

Amorangi, Ngā Pātaka Kōrero

General Manager Libraries and Information

Ngā Pātaka Kōrero o Tāmaki Makaurau - Auckland Libraries