My first visit to the Takapuna Library was for a Wriggle and Rhyme when my little boy was only a…read morefew months old. They still do I realise have the class once a week, during school term and it is a fabulous way to meet other mums on the shore, or in your area. This class takes place in the upstairs corner section where the children's books can be found. Since that visit many months ago, I have been back a few more times with the little guy as I find the children's section has a nice space with lots of great puzzles and books for my little boy to interact with. With easy access via the elevator you can take you children in with your pushchair if they are of the preschool age, always great for the mums or dads. Another plus for me, is that the library is located footsteps away from the beautiful beach, so on a sunny day I prefer to get some books and puzzles out from the library and then enjoy them down at the beach for some amazing scenery. The library has a cafe attached to the entrance as well for a bite to eat or a drink, so good to keep in mind- if your on a study break or on the go.

The Takapuna Library might not be the most sophisticated pr architecturally pleasing library out…read morethere but it holds a very dear place in my heart. I remember coming here frequently as a child right through to when I was teenager. I spent hours in the children's section, which is huge and not only has books but also has toys and puzzles and well as videos (perhaps now dvds?) and CD's you could get out too. I fondly remember being mesmerised by the tropical fish aquarium. They had the longest tails - just the ones of Fantasia! Nowadays I still frequent the Takapuna library, whether it's to get books out or just to sit and do some work in the blissfully quiet study area.

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.

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 and one of my favourite places. It is as kid-friendly as could be and I…read morelove that I can walk in here with my kids and we each go our own way before meeting up later. I still have moments of amazement where I'm like "books for free!!!!!". It's one of the great pleasures of civilised life to have access to more books than you could ever read in a lifetime and best of all, it costs nothing! The librarians here are particularly helpful and one in particular always goes out of her way to make recommendations to my 11 year old daughter which I am so appreciative of. I will say though that there are a couple of (male) part timers here who are grumpiness personified. Yeah we know libraries are cool and yes, you must be very cool to work in one but let's not forget, it's still a customer service job. Like I said, the ladies are all lovely so go figure.

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.

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!

Oh Central City Library, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways…read more 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!!!!

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

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.

One of my favourite Auckland Libraries, althought I might be biased since it was my local library…read moregrowing up. The staff are friendly, although that's pretty much a given for Auckland Libraries - they are people who love books and in experience are lovely, Auckland-wide. The library itself is easily navigable and I can always find what I'm looking for; the requests shelf is easily spotted as soon as you enter. It's also in a convenient location, next to not one but two supermarkets, as well as a number of other shops including a post office. And, it's got a public toilet, which is handy. You do have to ask at the counter for the key, but now that I know where it is (conspicuously hanging at the end of the counter) I usually just take it and nobody ever objects. Well at least they haven't so far. I'm going to count that as a plus. Oh and it has two late nights, also very handy.

Decent local library with great staff. They've separated the noisy children and the quiet section…read morereally well on either side which makes it nice to work in. The renovations done a few years ago have gone a long way too.