Central City Library

Oh Central City Library, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
Your massive selection, that can be pre-​reserved online and sent to any library of your choosing.
Your efficient self checkout kiosks that let me check out up to 10 books in one go.
Your cheerful atmosphere and very helpful staff.
Your array of seating options for for browsing a book, studying, killing time.
Your free wifi availability (errr the wifi is actually crap and slow, but I’m here for the books mostly so I’ll excuse it)
Your offerings of free interesting lectures and special events (sign up for the newsletter!)
Your conveniently located CAB branch that offers free document certification and information about issues like tenants rights.
My local library — I love thee so!!!

I love how modern and large this library is. They also have a coffee shop (Esquires) here. When I first moved here I was heavily dependent upon this place for free wi-​fi and for their printing services ($ 0.20/pg for b/​w). They have plenty of tables and electrical outlets but they’re often monopolized by students since the University of Auckland is in the area. This place also allows food and beverages… and they don’t mind people talking… such a big difference from the libraries in the US that I’m used to! It has convenient hours as well — it’s open 7 days a week, closing at 8pm on weekdays and 4pm on weekends. I’ve recently discovered that this place has a vast array of international magazines, and you can actually borrow the magazines as well. Was excited to find that they stocked The New Yorker here, especially since I just learned that the 1 magazine store in Auckland that stocks this sells it for a whopping $ 22 NZD! This library also stocks a lot of mainstream US as well as avant-​garde fashion magazines that you would typically find in NY magazine shops.

Clearly one of the best spots in Auckland.
You can see this spot has ledges 4eva, there are low ones for my fellow bad skateboarders and a bunch of lines possible for more #capable skaters. I hate to describe anything as ‘buttery’ but thats exactly what these ledges are. I think I seen a photo of that dreaded kid from Arcade kickflipping the hand rail. That shit went.
Best time for anyone over 15 years old to skate this spot is weeknights around 8. I avoid weekends cause them low ledges attract those 13 y/o’s fresh from cheapskates with their DGK bucket, weed socks and they look at you weird when they see a grown dude run out of a 50 on the low ledge.
Also try to avoid skating here when the library closes, there are mad students with headphones in that will get in your way. Also mad cars around at this time, cars are always a bit of a hinderance here just cause its one of those «shared spaces» or whatever the fuck that idiot Len Brown calls em. So yeah, watch out for them early 20 y/​o Triads in their brand new X5’s with the headlights out.
Overall, best spot to skate at about 9:30PM on a Tuesday. There is also always a bunch of other stuff to skate here atm too, road cones, cardboard boxes and plenty of room to skate flat.
Check the link for some of the GOAT library lines, one from Nico the god (2:45) and another from Toby Locke (5:22).

I have been in this library for 3 – 4 times. And all those times I had a very good service and advice.
JP is working every day from 12 till 2 pm.
CAB is also working from 11am till 3 pm, don’t be shy to ask their advice that is what they are for.

The Central City Library is one of the first places I went to when I arrived in Auckland, mainly to print some documents and use the free (but limited to 20 minutes) computers. I have since joined and have been regular borrower of books, DVDs and magazines. It’s the perfect place to go to when one feels like reading, learning or getting entertained… for cheap! I find the range of books really wide and varied… I even found a book that I know has been self-​published, so I guess it cannot be found everywhere.
I even attended a free little gig on the first floor on a Friday night, which was so unexpected but really good fun.
I had not been a library rat for a few years but the Central City Library reconciliated me with my nerdy side!

The best library you will ever visit: Auckland Central Lending Library, Lorne Street. This library is like no other. You can purchase a drink from their café and the then lie on their sofas to read! The have an astronomical number of books and other learning materials. They really do have a comprehensive range of materials on every subject. I was really surprised by how modern this library is. What’s more, you can loan about 38 books at a time. Hook up to their internet for free using your phone or laptop. There are plugs everywhere. Downstairs you can use the pc’s for free for 20 mins or book upstairs for an hour. They have a reading session for toddlers and parents. This really is suitable for the whole family. Go and lose yourself for an afternoon.

As a uni student, the Auckland City library was my number one place to go to get some study time in. It’s usually packed but I would just pick up a few cushions in the kiddies area (although I’m not sure this was actually allowed) prop them up against a wall and study away. Also, the free wifi was very handy as our uni charges for internet so it was actually cheaper to go to the library to use the net. In terms of loaning books, it’s a pretty busy library so I often found the more popular books I wanted to read weren’t always available and the newer books actually cost a few dollars to loan out. But the staff are super helpful and will do whatever they can to get you a book you like.

Frank Zappa once said «If you want to get laid, go to college. If you want an education, go to the library. «Unfortunately the first part hasnt turned out to be so true for me, but the second part definitely rings home.
If you are in town and in need of a bit of intellectual stimulation, the library is the place to go. However, it’s also the place to go if you just want to use a bit of free wi-​fi.
Once a year they have a really good book sale, with seemingly thousands of items getting practically given away. The stock changes every day so it’s worth checking back in.
They have a great graphic novel collection, as well as a pretty standard fiction section, but reference books is where the Library really comes into its own. With two floors set aside for the more serious tomes, as well as a collection of old newspapers, whatever you want to research, this is the place to come.

The Central City Library is the main library for Auckland city. As an avid reader I have spent many an hour browsing the shelves, and being delighted by the comprehensive selection. This library houses everything from DVDs, ‘how-​to’ books and magazines to old newspapers, novels and CDs.
The staff are also more than happy to help you locate the book or resource you are after. I learned this first hand when trying to find a rare book on the Hippie subculture for a university paper. Not only did the staff locate the book at another library for me, they also pointed me in the right direction to purchase it, as well as where to find similar publications.
Recently the square outside the library has been revamped, and it is now a lovely place to sit in the sun and read your latest acquisition. This summer there was even an ice-​cream vendor present, so I was able to indulge my craving while satisfying my intellectual desires!
Tip: There is also free Wifi, so even if reading isn’t your preference, you can browse the net instead.

The library building itself is a bit of a monolith, but it’s a handy monolith at least. You can get free WiFi ²⁴⁄₇ with no password (up to 100MB a day). If the library itself is closed, you can sit outside on the benches out front and Skype until your heart’s content. Perfect for backpackers. It’s also a good place to meet friends who you can rely on to be late, because at least you can browse the decent variety of magazines without being looked at as if you’re going to steal something. Sadly the café attached is an Esquire’s, but they, you can’t win ‘em all.