Who says that libraries have to be big starchy places that make you feel uncomfortable, this little…read moregem is quite the opposite! It's quaint but still holds a lot of books and I have never really had an issue finding a book. If they have ever not had anything that I have specifically wanted I just order it in on my library card...easy! The people who work here are what make this library special, they are so passionate about books and about helping you learn through these books. The building itself is beautiful, really old and historic with a grand looking entrance up some steps. There is quite good parking on Remuera Rd, but I always find the most success on Saint Vincent's Ave which is the side road that the library runs alongside.

Great library in an awesome historic building. Really looks grand. The staff are great, and they…read morehave a really good children's section. It's a popular and busy after-school location, so if you're imagining coming here for a quiet read or to get some work done then I suggest you think wisely before heading here after 3pm. One downside is trying to park nearby. There is meter parking on Remuera Road in front of the library, or free street parking round the corner on Cotter Ave. Sometimes you might have to park further down the hill (meaning a bit of a walk up the hill) but I have always been able to get a park down there. Secret tip, don't tell anyone.

The library is comfortable, nicely decorated and next to great shops, cafes and the cinema if you…read moreget bored. And trust me, the likelihood of you getting bored is rather large. Don't get me wrong, I love books and sitting down with one to travel to a galaxy far, far away. BUT, they don't usually have that book which will transport me there. It's a good thing they are next to Whitcoulls in that case, so at least you may be able to buy that book and take it home. There are far better libraries in Auckland, but if you're desperate for a quiet corner and have no particular book in mind, wonder on in.

This is my least favourite library out of the Auckland Libraries that I've been to, and I've been…read moreto qutie a few (at least 10). It's small, never has any of the books I want available when I happen to pop in (and I always have a massive ongoing list of books I want to read), and it has a weird layout that doesn't seem to flow naturally. On the plus side, being next to Whitcoulls, if you saw some books in the shop that you wanted to read but not quite enough to want to buy, you can pop into the library and request them (because let's be real, they won't have them on the shelf) while they're still fresh in your mind. Also, a good point is that being part of Botany Town Centre means it's open longer hours, and at least one night a week a JP (Justice of the Peace) is available if you need documents verified. Super handy and no need to book, just turn up.

This is a cool little suburban library that's located right in Pakuranga Plaza, so it's nice and…read morehandy to the shops. It's also located right next to a Citizen's Advice Bereau too. The best thing about this library are the amazing art quilts on the walls, and the big sale table they usually have in the foyer, from which I've picked up lots of bargain-priced second hand books. The library has nice little children's and teens' sections, and a surprisingly good range of DVDs. The staff are always friendly and extremely fast - I remember this is where I signed up for membership and I couldn't believe how quickly it was all done.

The library is located in an enormous old building at the top of Parnell Road and houses a great…read morecollection 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!

I first walked in here when I was delivering pamphlets as part of a crazy get-rich scheme. Safe to…read moresay 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 cafe , with books, that so many other Auckland libraries has.

Amazing library for a small community. I am recovering from surgery and spent the last two days…read morehere doing research, reading, and surfing the web. I have felt extremely comfortable and the staff has been extremely helpful. The bay is literally a two minute walk away for a breathtaking view and nice lunch. This is a must stop for any book lover!

Just look at it! St Helier's is a cute little library, it's like something out of a storybook…read more I always think of the St Helier's library as a 'ladies' library' - although I'm not quite sure what that means. I think it means it's just very pleasant. It's tidy and quiet inside and the seletion of books, as for all public libraries, is selected to suit the community it serves - so if you can imagine what the ladies (and gents) of St Helier's would most like to read, then that's what they have. The childrens' section is particularly cute (although very small), and they have lots of nice displays. There's also a good community noticeboard and they hold bookclubs there too.

Since turning Libraries into 'Shared Spaces,' a few years ago, I find this library smelly, and was…read moretold by the clerk that the computer area is a 'volatile space ". Seems every patron is tarred with the same brush...treated as if we were last of the homeless, mentally ill, indigent population. And why are they being treated so badly there? Dreadful experiences in that Library. People in filthy clothes stretched out over several seats seemingly in a drunken stupor. Glares and glances and tight facial expressions from the library clerks. Dreadful. Libraries should have remained libraries. Not drop in centres

The Central City Library is one of the first places I went to when I arrived in Auckland, mainly to…read moreprint 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!

I love the study area here, its my number one place to go to when I need to study away from uni but…read moreclose enough to get home when I've had enough. You get heaps of table room and they're separated quite well away from the rest of the noise of the library (people walking in, checking out books, etc). If I need a break, I can grab a book or a magazine and have a read without having to re-locate. I have great memories of this library as I went through their whole section of teen angst through high school (its a great, highly recommended section too). The book selection here is still great and it's good to see that younger kids are still borrowing books from their local library. They've also got a small video collection (the last time I checked a video out of the library happened when I was going through an Anna Karenina phase) with some classics thrown in there too. The set-up of the Manurewa Library is very user friendly and I've always found the staff here to be really helpful. They're also pretty good at keeping up with newly released books, so I'd snap those up quick before its gone for the month! This is a great, friendly, local library with all the resources you need.

The Tupu Youth LIbrary is an incredibly special place. It's the only library in Auckland that's…read morededicated to children and young people's interests and is an extremely popular after school hangout for local kids. The building itself is modern looking and has an indoor-outdoor flow that's unusual for a library. Inside, it's totally unintimidating, with everything easily accessible and the overall layout easy to navigate. Of course, pretty much everything that's in the library is aimed at youth, but the standout feature of this library are the staff - they're the friendliest, most approachable bunch you could hope to find. It's almost enough to make me wish I was a kid again!