User:RW3003/sandbox
| St Heliers Library | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 36°51′03″S 174°51′29″E / 36.8508°S 174.8580°E | |
| Location | 32 Saint Heliers Bay Road, St Heliers, Auckland, New Zealand |
| Type | Public library |
| Established | 1926 |
| Service area | Saint Heliers |
| Branch of | Auckland Libraries |
| Other information | |
| Website | St Heliers Library |
St Heliers Library is a local branch of Auckland Libraries, serving the suburb of Saint Heliers. It is an Auckland Council Heritage listed building category B.
History
[edit]The first library in the St Heliers area was the Tamaki Library at Tamaki school in the 1870s, with about 300, mostly non-fiction books.[1] A Mr Chambers donated 150 books to Tamaki library, with the library requesting further contributions from the community, receiving a total of 260 books. The Tamaki West Road Board purchased a further 1000 books, to be stored in the powerhouse in Long Drive until the new library location opened in 1926.[1]
St Heliers Library was first opened in 1926 as the Tamaki West Road Board offices and fire station, built by Lye & Sons.[2] The offices and fire station were made of fireproof brick, and was designed so that it could be converted into a library if needed.[2] The fire station successfully ran the library by 1927 alongside its regular duties.[1]
The Tamaki West Road Board offices and fire station was transitioned into a public library opening in on the 13th of June 1931.[3][4] Two rooms were made available for the lending of books and the library was opened by Councillor Ellen Melville, Chairman of the Library Committee.[5] The Lending Department was capable of holding 3000 volumes at that time. The number of volumes and visitors rapidly increased, and by 1937 an additional room of 37 feet was built to expand the Lending Department, and add a children's room reading room, and staff room.[5]
[6]The library underwent earthquake strengthening and renewal work in 2022 after being twice assessed as earthquake prone. It received funding from the Auckland Council seismic regional programme for this work.[3] In addition to seismic strengthening, the roof and windows were replaced and original panelling and other features were discovered and preserved.[7][8] The library reopened on the 15th of August 2023. Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson said at the opening that "as a result of Auckland Council investment, our beautiful St Heliers library is future-proofed for many generations to come.”[7]
Library Services and Events
[edit]The St Heliers Library runs many library services and events, including for children and older people. The library has run a children's holiday programme over the summer holidays since at least 1977. The library is open every day and often hosts art exhibitions,
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "The Founding of a Public Library". St Heliers Local Heritage Collection; St Heliers Library 1923 - 1989. Auckland, New Zealand: St Heliers Library. 1989.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ a b "The Combined New Road Board Offices and Fire Brigade Station". St Heliers Local Heritage Collection; St Heliers Library 1923 - 1989. Auckland, New Zealand: St Heliers Library. 1989.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ a b "Reopening of St Heliers Library in its iconic building". Our Auckland. 16 August 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "The Tamaki Branch of the Auckland Public Library is Opened". St Heliers Local Heritage Collection; St Heliers Library 1923-1989 (in eng). Auckland, New Zealand: St Heliers Library (published 1931). 1989.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ a b Barr, John (1950). Auckland Public Libraries 1880 - 1950 (in Eng). Auckland, New Zealand: Library Committee of the Auckland City Council. pp. 32–33.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ "The Combined New Road Board Offices and Fire Brigade Station (1925)". St Heliers Local Heritage Collection; St Heliers Library 1923 - 1989. Auckland, New Zealand: St Heliers Library. 1989.
- ^ a b "Re-opening of St Heliers Library". Remuera Heritage. 16 August 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Why a local library's refurbishment is a love letter to libraries everywhere". 1News. 16 August 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)