page_title: Birkenhead Public Library
section_title: The "Leisure Centre library"
hierarchical_section_title: Birkenhead Public Library / History / The "Leisure Centre library"
caption_attribution_description: Birkenhead Public Library, North Shore city, New Zealand. Temporary location, converted basketball court. Interior shot, facing northish wall. Manager's office mid-way on east wall. Entrance, northwest corner; flanked by Checkout desk and self-issue machine. Public internet terminal in northeast corner (not visible).
context_page_description: Birkenhead Public Library is a New Zealand library, part of the Auckland Libraries system located on Auckland's North Shore. Founded in 1949 it predominantly serves the areas of Birkenhead, Beach Haven, Birkdale, Kauri Park, Chelsea, and Birkenhead East, a population of about 26,000, including six primary schools, two intermediate schools, and two colleges.
  Typical of medium-sized public libraries in New Zealand, it is able to provide an extensive range of modern library resources and services through its integration into a wider urban network, and through its association with the National Library, while retaining its own distinct, local connections such as the Archives Collection of the Chelsea Sugar Refinery.
  The library was the first public library to be founded in North Shore City, the first to offer dial-up access to the New Zealand Bibliographic Network, and a leading proponent of full weekend services.
  For four years the library was located in temporary quarters in the Birkenhead Leisure Centre, while a dispute over the location and design of its proposed new building was resolved.
context_section_description: In 1992 issues topped 300,000 items. By 2003 usage of the library had increased still further, to such an extent that it was noticeably affecting service delivery. Over 500 people a day were entering the library and new members were growing at a rate of 150 per month. Finding room to add new material to the existing stock of some 67,500 items was becoming increasingly difficult.
  Another factor driving the need for change was the absence of enough space for community groups, such as primary schools and students, bookclubs, and author events. By the end of the 1990s some sort of addition to the library or a rebuild was being actively considered.
  In 2005, in preparation for building works on the same site, the library was shifted to a converted basketball court in the Birkenhead Leisure Centre in Mahara Avenue (pictured). Other alternative sites had been considered, but most were found to be either inappropriate or too expensive. With limited space available for services, the Plunket, Citizen's Advice Bureau (CAB), and council Area Office had to find alternative premises. In fact only 50% to 60% of the library's own stock could be accommodated.
  $175,000 was budgeted for the fitout of the basketball court, and included such things as improved lighting, car park access, and funding for a passenger lift to allow for disabled patrons. Since the location was some distance from the town centre, a free shuttle bus was provided from Highbury once a week.
  The Leisure Centre is located in the Birkenhead War Memorial Park. In the areas adjacent to the library, there were problems associated with youth drinking, graffiti, and other undesirable behaviour. Patronage of the library dropped by 35%.
  In March 2007, the library was granted a resource consent to use the Leisure Centre location for a further three years or until the new library was built, whichever came later.
  This location was meant to be a transitional arrangement while the new building was being constructed. However, the library remained at this temporary location for four years.
caption: Library in Leisure Centre, facing north.
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