Temporary changes to Central City Library
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| Auckland City Council. Architectural model of the planned new Auckland Public Library, May 1964. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections, 580-10199. |
Last updated - June 2021
Central City Library is open with its normal hours. Level 2 remains closed until further notice.
Research Central services are operating from Level 1 for the foreseeable future.
Due to further construction work on Level 1 from Monday 14 June - Friday 23 July, the Research Central services available at Level 1 will be operating with reduced hours on weekdays.
Research Central services will be available from 9am - 6pm.
Customers can experience disruptions on Level 1 due to noise and other building-related work.
The Research Central area on Level 2 including Special Collections, Reading Room, the gallery, atrium, Whare Wānanga, Level 2 bathrooms and study spaces are not available.
Closure information
Central City Library was temporarily closed in late March and in April due to an unpleasant smell within the library caused by roof repair building works.
Our focus is on public health and safety, and as part of ensuring the well-being of both staff and customers, air quality testing was carried out when the library was first closed.
All results from that round of testing have come back clear and we can assure people who were in the library at that time that whilst the smell was very unpleasant, there was no harm to health.
This testing has been peer-reviewed and validated by a qualified air hygienist, who also works with WorkSafe NZ. This additional step was taken to provide further assurance to staff and customers that there is no risk to anyone’s health and safety.
Accessing our Research Centre services
If you want help with research, whakapapa, family, or local history you can talk to our Research Centre specialists on Level 1 for in-person help or contact us online. Find out how we can help with your research by visiting the research services page on our website.
Available resources
Some Level 2 Research Central resources are now available on Level 1.
- Three film/microfiche readers
- Two family history CDROM computers
- The NZ Gazette computer
- Current electoral rolls
You can find these resources on Level 1, near the research enquiry desk.
Our staff can retrieve specialist books, films and fiches from Level 2 to be used in the machines on request.
Accessing our Heritage Collections
Physical access to the Heritage Collections through the Reading Room on Level 2 at Central City Library is temporarily closed.
The Reading Room will reopen when the work on Central City Library is complete.
If you have enquiries about Heritage Collections, please contact us via email.
Assistance from Research Central and Special Collections librarians
You can access many of our Heritage and Research Collections and submit enquiries online:
- Visit Kura Heritage Collections Online
- Explore our family and local history resources online
- Get help from our research services with family history, whakapapa research and local history by submitting an enquiry online.
- Contact our Heritage Collections experts for information or research advice by calling 09 890 2553 or emailing specialcollections@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
Accessing our programming
Some community programmes have moved to Ellen Melville Centre in Freyberg Square and some services, such as book chats, have moved online.
Our popular HeritageTalks have been relocated to the Art Gallery Auditorium (corner of Kitchener and Wellesley St).
Our Kōrero Bike is also out and about in the central city area.
Check the Central City Library Facebook page for updates. For more help, call our Library Connect team on 09 377 0209 or chat with the staff at Central City Library.
What is the roof refurbishment project?
The roof of the Central City Library is now nearly fifty years old. The current project is to replace the roof surface to restore its waterproof layer. The first part of this involves breaking off the concrete surface, then grinding away the old waterproof membrane. A new waterproof membrane and surface layer will be then be laid.
There are several roof layers on the building and the entire project is expected to last until the end of 2021.
The roof of the Central City Library is now nearly fifty years old. The current project is to replace the roof surface to restore its waterproof layer. The first part of this involves breaking off the concrete surface, then grinding away the old waterproof membrane. A new waterproof membrane and surface layer will be then be laid.
There are several roof layers on the building and the entire project is expected to last until the end of 2021.
Contact us
If you have any further questions or would like to submit feedback on this temporary closure, please contact Auckland Libraries using our online feedback form.