The End

The Auckland Libraries Super Tour has been like a really long, but really good book – it takes over your life, eats up all your spare time, and you feel a bit sad when it ends! Over the past year, I’ve visited all of Auckland’s 55 libraries (well, 54 actually, because Manukau Library & Research Centre used to be 2). You also may be wondering about Great Barrier Island Library, which officially became part of Auckland Libraries on November 1st 2011 – because of its late inclusion, I didn’t visit it as part of the tour, but I’d definitely be keen to check it out at some stage in the future

Here are a few stats for you:

• I visited 55 libraries in 52 weeks
• I borrowed 70 books, 5 magazines, 1 DVD, 5 recipe books – that’s an average of 1.6 items per week
• I wrote 59 posts (54 library posts, plus a few book reviews and summaries)
• There are 212 comments on my blog posts, plus more on Twitter and Facebook
• 15,000 unique visitors have been to my blog

A few people have asked me which library has been my favourite, and while I can’t pick a winner, there have been a few highlights – the spacious Epsom Library, the beautiful design of Sir Edmund Hillary Library in Papakura, the ultra-modern Botany Library, the fantastic Tupu Youth Library, the arty Birkenhead Library and the funky Mangere East Library. And here’s the photographic evidence I really was there…

Now, you might be wondering what pearls of wisdom I have to share after visiting every one of Auckland’s libraries… 14 months on from the supercity library merge, I think Auckland Libraries is getting there. There are some things that are still quite separate about the libraries -  multiple websites, some libraries branded as part of Auckland Libraries and some with out-of-date branding, some books not scanning in other libraries. But I think what I noticed the most is that the libraries really reflect the communities they are in – they each have a different ‘feel’, a different focus, are used in different ways and cater to different kinds of people.

At most of the libraries I visited, I could tell that the librarians and staff who worked there really cared about the experience people had when they were visiting the library – lots of smiles and offers of help, clever displays, well chosen recommended reading, tidy shelves, shared seating areas and book reviews. It’s obvious the libraries are in great hands.

A special thank you to Ryan Youens, my library tour companion, photographer, navigator, chauffeur, proofreader and husband. I couldn’t and wouldn’t have done it without you!

It hasn’t always been easy putting a new blog together for each library. They may be in different parts of Auckland and in different types of communities, but a library is a library is a library – a place with lots of books and friendly librarians. So thanks to each of you for joining me on my library tour – reading my blog, commenting, and giving me a good reason to keep going!

So, what’s next for me? Well, I’ve hinted at a few projects for 2012 – visiting all of NZ’s lighthouses, walking the length of NZ, visiting the smallest libraries in NZ – but none of those are on the cards for now! You can keep up to date with my reading list by following me on Shelfari, and you can follow my adventures on my new personal blog: Bark and Brioche.

Happy New Year!

Mahurangi East Library

I’ve made it! Mahurangi East Library is the last library on the Auckland Libraries Super Tour! Whooo-hooo! I visited Mahurangi Library on my way north for our Christmas camping trip – it’s the ideal spot to stop off and pick up some summer-holiday reading. The library is attached to the community centre, just across the road from the shops at Snells Beach.

It is a very quiet little library – cool and peaceful. There were stacks of puzzles for people to use – a good way to spend a rainy afternoon if your camping spot is rained out. There are four or five computers at the library, and they were all in use while I was visiting. It’s an old fashioned library – older signs and shelving, but it does the job, and for a small library, there’s actually a fair amount of space for reading and relaxing. There is a small children’s area with lots of toys and activities, plus a range of children’s audio books, which I haven’t seen elsewhere (although, I haven’t been looking!).

There is lots of art on display, providing a bit of colour to the library – most of it seems to be done by people in the community.

The beachy seating area down the back provides a spot to read, try your hand at a puzzle and look out the window at the view.

I borrowed Kazuo Ishiguro’s An Artist of the Floating World from Mahurangi East Library – “World War II is over and Japan sets about rebuilding her shattered cities. Masuji Ono, an ageing painter, looks back over his life and assesses a career that coincided with the rise of Japanese militarism.”

Mahurangi East Library, Hamatana Rd, Snells Beach

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Waiuku Library

Waiuku is a rural town in the Franklin District, about 40 minutes drive from the central city. The library opened in 1987, and it’s a small, old-fashioned library. Before the Auckland Libraries’ merge, Waiuku was part of Franklin Libraries - made up of just two libraries, Waiuku and Pukekohe. Aside from the exterior council signage, Waiuku Library is still fully branded as part of ‘Bookinopolis’ – the Franklin Libraries brand.

The library is a bit cramped – lots of books and seating in a small space, but I can see the staff put a lot of work into making the library look interesting. There were review printouts with the new reads section, lots of book posters and a few displays, in particular a large craft-book display.

I borrowed a NZ Geographic magazine from Waiuku Library, mainly because I wanted to read the article about Douglas Mawson’s expedition to Antarctica 100 years ago.

After grabbing a bite to eat in Waiuku at Cafe Karma (highly recommended!), we headed off to visit the Manukau Lighthouse. It’s a 44km drive from Waiuku, but well worth the trip. The lighthouse was originally built in 1874, rebuilt in 1944, then demolished and rebuilt in 2006 in accordance with the original plans.  I was fascinated reading the information signs about the signalman’s role – until the mid 20th century, the signalman would raise nautical symbols on a giant iron mast to alert ships coming into the Port of Onehunga to the conditions of the Manukau Bar – a treacherous crossing. The signalman now uses VHF radio from the tower on top of his house (which is just below the lookout the second photograph is taken from). The tower is equipped with all sorts of weather and communications gear.

Waiuku Library, 1 Constable Rd, Waiuku

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Manurewa Library

Manurewa Library is part of a complex just on the edge of the town centre. It was opened in the early 1980s, but the interior has quite modern furnishings, and it’s an open and spacious library, so it doesn’t have that dated look that some libraries from the 80s have. I particularly like the wooden beams across the sloped ceiling.

There is a large computer area in a separate section of the library – quite nice to have it away from the rest of the library. The children’s area was very cosy with cute little tables and chairs – just like mini versions of the adult ones.

The massive mural on the back wall of the library was painted in 1983 by Tony Johnston and depicts Manukau as a large shellfish. Apparently parts of the mural have been repainted at some point, but it’s a really effective backdrop to the library.

The library seems to have lots going on – it was quite busy when I visited, and I notice a sign advertising a writing workshop in early Feb.

“Are you a writer, looking for inspiration? Join us as award-winning poet, editor and children’s author Robert Sullivan facilitates the amazing ’Writing the Heart’ workshop where you will be inspired to write fresh, emotionally-centred poems and stories.”

I borrowed Emma Donoghue’s ‘Room’ from Manurewa Library – I’ve seen it on the bestseller shelf several times, but haven’t wanted to commit to reading it in the time limit (particularly as I’m rather inundated with books this year!), but it’s finally on general issue! Hopefully it’ll be good Christmas-holiday reading material.

Manurewa Library, 7 Hill Rd, Manurewa

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Te Matariki Clendon Library

Te Matariki Clendon Library is part of the community centre complex – which offers a stadium, childcare centre, venue and library. The library building is attached, but actually quite separate from the community centre. The building is concrete with intricate Pacific designs on each panel between windows.

As soon as I stepped into the library, I knew it was quite different. To the right of the entrance is the teen section, complete with a large screen playing Cartoon Network. Seemed pretty popular with the kids! And out in the main area of the library is another large screen, which was playing Discovery Channel, but can be changed to a range of news/learning channels. It was a bit weird to hear a TV in a library – it’s actually quite noisy!

It’s an ultra-modern library design with high ceilings, lots of light and a clever use of space.

After seeing the TVs I was wondering whether there are some people that might find them annoying and distracting – well, down the back of the fiction section  is a ‘peaceful place’ for those people to go. It’s funny, but it almost feels like it should be the other way around – a room for the TVs and the rest of the library as a ‘peaceful place’.

There were lots of Christmas books on display – including this display of Christmas recipe books. Yum!

I noticed a section of the library devoted to careers – quite a good idea, really. Lots of books on interview technique, how to write a CV, how to look for a job.

I borrowed a book called ‘I’m with Fatty’ by Edward Ugel – it’s a candid, funny memoir about a guy losing weight and regaining his health.

Te Matariki Clendon Library, 17 Palmers Rd, Clendon

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Waiheke Library

My visit to Waiheke Island was on a windy, sunny day – a bit of a chill in the air, but thankfully no rain! Waiheke Library is in Oneroa village, which is a short bus trip or medium walk from the ferry building. Oneroa is a cool, arty, islandy little village – lots of boutique shops and cafes. The library is in the Artworks complex, which is also home to the cinema, an Indian restaurant, an art gallery, a theatre and Whittakers Music Musuem.

A welcome blast of air-conditioning welcomed me as I walked into the library. It’s a small, functional and ordered library – there’s not a lot of room for reading and relaxing, although there are some study tables provided. There are quite a few books in the library, but I imagine lots of residents would make the most of the request system. The computers were being well used – I didn’t notice any internet cafes in Oneroa, so I guess the library is the place to go if you need a computer. The children’s section was bright and cute.

The good news for Waiheke library users is that a new library complex is on its way! The proposed plans were on display and feedback forms were available.  The plans look very modern and like it’ll fit in well with Waiheke’s other community buildings and complexes.

I borrowed Lloyd Jones’ The Man in the Shed, a collection of short stories by the author of Mister Pip, one of my favourite books.

The rest of our day at Waiheke was spent relaxing and taking in the sights – we visited the Ostend Markets, where we checked out the stalls, ate delicious food (I can highly recommend the Vietnamese rice-paper wraps!) and watched the entertainment. Then we headed to Onetangi beach – absolutely beautiful at this time of year with the pohutukawas out.

Now, time for a quick update on the library tour – as you’ve probably noticed, it’s now the middle of December. At the beginning of the year, I said I’d visit Auckland’s 55 libraries in one year, and if you’ve been keeping count, you’ll know there’s only four to go! Whoo-hoo!

Waiheke Library, 2 Koroa Rd, Oneroa

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Titirangi Library

Titirangi is a beautiful, bushy suburb in the foothills of the Waitakere Ranges. The library is just down the road from the well-known Lopdell House, home to West Auckland’s regional art gallery. As soon as you arrive at the library, it’s clear the library is a busy, community-oriented place. The path to the library is paved with tiles painted by local children and families. The library has a great view over the harbour.

The library was very busy at after-school time when I visited – it doesn’t look like it from the pictures, but the high-use areas, like children’s and computers were very busy. The bookshelves were very tall, and the windows were quite high, so the library didn’t have that modern and light feel that many of the newer libraries have, but the darker lighting added a ‘cosy’ feel.

The recommended reading shelf made me laugh – it’s basically all of my recent reads and favourite authors on one shelf: Ian McEwan, Isabel Allende, Kazuo Ishiguro, Zadie Smith, Patrick Gale. Someone has good taste!

I borrowed the book ‘Peter Jackson – From Gore to Mordor’ from the library – as the title suggests, it charts Jackson’s journey from humble beginnings to the lofty heights he enjoys today!

Just next to Lopdell House is the start of the Soldiers’ Memorial Walkway, a memorial to those who fought in the first World War. A nice shady walk on a hot day.

Titirangi Library, 500 South Titirangi Road, Titirangi

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