I used to live in Avondale and hated it, and that hatred extended to everything in Avondale or…read moreAvondale-related. If you'd asked me what I thought of Avondale library I would have said terrible. Now that I no longer live there my feelings have softened. And to my surprise, Avondale library is not nearly as bad as I remembered (re: imagined) it. When I went in recently I was impressed with the quality and quantity of the art and design sections - clearly someone who works here takes an interest. The fiction was more what you'd expect from a smaller suburban library, heavy on the thrillers and chick-lit, light on the post-modernism and lit-lit, but the non-fiction was a treasure trove. Avondale library, I take back anything bad I might have said about you in the past.

Here's some of the good things about the Avondale Library: it's light and airy; it has access to…read moreall the many many books of the fantastic Auckland Library system; it has a display about local history and holds local publications for research purposes; it has homework sessions for children; it has free internet access and wi-fi; the librarians are friendly and don't tell you off for getting fines; the children's book section is inviting; there's a JP service several times a week; and there's a big free carpark right next door. The bad thing: I wish it were open on Sunday! That's all.

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.

During high school and intermediate I would often stop in here after school. Get some books, or…read moresome comics, the usual story. I wasn't unique in this, and today you still find hordes of school kids here in the afternoons. The staff are pretty accommodating of this onslaught, as they are of the equally busy one of retirees they get earlier in the day. This is one of the libraries that lives up to the 'community' part of 'community library', getting to know the locals and working to be an integral part of Pt Chevalier. Oh, and also there's books and stuff you can get out. Or read there if you want, there's plenty of seats.

The legacy of the now-closed Carrington Hospital just up the road means that there is quite a lot…read moreof supported housing around here. This means that sometimes there can be some surprising people in this library, but luckily the librarians here seem well equipped to deal with unusual requests and people maybe talking louder than usual in a library. It's quite good actually, knowing that there's a place anyone is welcome; you can imagine some of these library patrons wouldn't be welcome in lots of other places, but here they can come and read, and be socialble, and have the same status as anyone else. In terms of other library facilities, this one has all your usual items: books, CDs, mags etc. They have a cool little pit for the children's area as well where they can hang out and be cool cats in.

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!

This is a fairly new library out West and it is a very nice one at that…read more There isn't much parking around though, except for a bit out the back and the street parking out front. The building has a really nice exterior, and the interior is really nice too. A good layout helps you find the books easily, and I like that there is quite a nice selection on offer. It isn't the biggest library out there but it does the job nicely. The staff are friendly and very helpful and it is a pleasurable experience finding books there. There is also a good bit of space dedicated for some quiet reading, and research if that's what you are after.

Now that all the Auckland libraries are joined, is awesome how you can request book to your local…read morelibrary. The got pretty high tech since back in the days, I was waiting in line for my book request and a old librarian kindly came up and told me I can self pick up the book right off the shelf and even check out the books myself with the new self check out machine. Nice little cozy library.

Less helpful people working there now, but those still there are super helpful. Free wifi!…read moreVery nice study desk area's with power points for plugging in your laptop, and overlooking green areas outside. Very good thinking area. Lots of dvds still available for rent

This is my local library, has been ever since I moved up to Auckland, and will always hold a space…read morein my heart as the place I first racked up a 50 dollar fine. That's the problem with getting out a whole lot of books, it's easy to forget them - and at 30 cents a day, it can add up pretty fast. Roskill Library has changed quite a lot over the years, and, as seems to be a theme with Auckland Libraries, has a lot less books then it used to. They did a big renovation last year, and since then it seems like there are half as many book aisles - but three times as many computers. It's a good thing, offering free internet and computer time to those who need it, but I can't help but miss browsing through hundreds of books looking for one that interested me.

This library is a busy one, situated as it is right next to St Lukes Mall. After school here is…read morecrazytown and I do wonder if perhaps some parents use it as free after-school babysitting. Anyway, avoid avoid and come during school hours or even at the weekend. Outings to the library are a bit of a family tradition for us and even the child that's not a big reader can find himself a graphic novel and a comfy seat. The staff here are so nice, especially considering how busy they get sometimes. It was here that I got my daughter her very own library card and the staff member who handled it was just lovely and made my girl feel very grown-up and special indeed. Auckland's libraries are fantastic and this one is no exception.

My review is about one thing, and it's not books. Apart from the limited armchairs, all we have to…read moresit on are plastic chairs that are the most stupidly designed chairs in the world. Watch people use them: they have to sit perched forward on the edge of the chair to read or work on the tables. If they sit back, it's uncomfortable and they can't reach the table. And if they lean forward, after 15 minutes their backs are screaming at them to give it up. How can a place like a library utterly fail in selecting something as simple as plastic chairs to sit in?? Whoever chose these chairs shouldn't have a job. It's not rocket science. I rarely take books out because I use my Kindle. And I NEVER work in the library because even something as basic as sitting at the tables is impossible. If there were decent chairs here, I'd be in every day to study. Sort your crap out.

The majority of Manakau Rd seems to have converted houses as business offices which are a little…read moredisconcerting to enter. Thankfully Epsom Library has a nice shiny sculpture and car park to set itself apart. Regardless, I often forget about this little library. Epsom has a neatly spaced out library with very helpful staff members. Their friendly advice and knowledge of the other library branches is an excellent benefit. The sunny bay windows with private chairs and power points are perfect for the solitary study of the studious. And there are no near-by bars to distract you. Actually there isn't much near by so have a coffee before you arrive. It's no flowery, latte-art city library. Epsom has a good, standard, silent library that only misses the long wooden tables and green desk lamps.

This is a small library, with a decent selection of books and some tables and chairs. There are a…read morecouple of chairs near windows that have (quite unstable) single person desks and power points, but otherwise it's not very laptop friendly. I once set up at one of these window seats, only to have to move about 10 minutes later due to an ant problem! The staff are friendly, and they have a children's play group thing in the mornings on certain days, which can get a little boisterous - great if you have kids, though!

Leys institute is a fantastic library that I have visited numerous times, including today!…read more They have free Wi-Fi, 6 computers that you can book in advance or walk-in and utilise, modern photocopier/printer, fax facility, self book check-out, children's separate library, extensive fiction/non-fiction sections, magazines, CDs, DVDs etc to hire/loan! Hot books for $5 a week, latest (international) magazines $2 per week! Lots of chairs, tables, bathroom amenities upstairs. Community notice board overloaded with what's on, in reception. If you can't find your book: librarians are happy to order it in for you,(from another library) no charge!

I have a favourite library, because I'm really cool. My favourite library is this one. Located…read morewithin the glorious confines of the Ley's Institute, this library is small but perfectly formed, They have a great selection of all my favourite graphic novels and the librarians are very friendly and the self-checkout machine works. Those are pretty much the only three things that matter to me when I'm evaluating a library and trying to figure out what score to give it in a five star system. The whole Ley's Institute is a fairly impressive architectural marvel in itself. It's just a really nice place to read and browse for books in.