Parnell Library

I first walked in here when I was delivering pamphlets as part of a crazy get-​rich scheme. Safe to say the scheme didn’t work, although that may have something to do with the fact I decided not to bother keeping on walking after I came in here. There was something about the place that made me want to sit down and read a book, so I picked up Filth by Irvine Welsh off the shelf and settled down. Four hours later I was suitably traumatised and getting gently ushered out of the library into the dark night. I dumped my load of pamphlets in the rubbish bin and decided to enrol in University. So it was a fortuitous moment to walk into Parnell, and it will always hold a certain place in my heart.
There is a good supply of books here, and it seems to have resisted the call to completely transform into an internet café, with books, that so many other Auckland libraries has.

Parnell Library is an absolutely stunning building located in the outskirts of Newmarket, just before you get into Parnell. Even if it’s not a book you’re look for, to come and enjoy the fabulous architecture of this place is sensational.
This library is relatively big and good to come to if you’re after something not to specific. If you having something more specific in mind it might pay to head into the library in town as they have a larger variety, however the Parnell library has a great selection of good reads.
Parking here is fantastic, as it is located in amongst a private hospital and a living store/​restaurant, so there will be no shortage of parks. If there happens to be there is also plenty of street parking.
If you’re not a member of the Auckland libraries and would like to be, I would recommend going in prepared with two forms of ID that show your physical address. When you’re a member you are able to loan books from any Auckland library.

Bordered on the museum side of Auckland Domain, Parnell Library shares an old two story building with the Parnell Community Centre. One of my old studying sanctuaries. With a house filled with rambunctious students, peace and quiet was often hard to find. My first attempt was the Uni Library, but for whatever reason it was not a space in which I could focus. I then tried the public library in the CBD, too noisy. After Googling libraries in Auckland I discovered that there was one a 10 min walk from my house, the Parnell Library. I had no idea that it even existed and it soon became the place where I would escape to do my work. I think I have the Parnell Library to thank, in large part, for the fact that I got through university with a good grade average.

The library is located in an enormous old building at the top of Parnell Road and houses a great collection of books from childrens to cookery and everything in between. It’s not the biggest in Auckland but it has everything you really need, including wifi so I’d recommend bringing your own laptop rather than waiting for the library’s own computers. With only four of them, it can often be quite hard to get online during busy times (although I have never found myself waiting more than half an hour to get a place) and they can be painfully slow at times.
The staff are all really friendly and helped me out when trying to print off things and to order me in a book from another library in the city. There is ample amounts of parking at the building, which is great as the location is a bit of a climb!