I love books. I remember when I was young I would be
cooped up in my room reading instead of playing outside with other
children. My mother, however, did not approve. She
was afraid I was becoming a loner and would not have any friends. She encouraged reading, but not to the
detriment of my social life and I guess social skills. I would go out to play just
to oblige her, but reading was always my special “me time.” Thankfully, despite
her disapproval, my mom continued to buy me books. In my home country we didn’t
have public libraries so access to reading materials was limited, and most
people buy them in bookstores.
Coming from that, I was so pleasantly surprised to find the
libraries in Auckland were, well, awesome. (I am a fan!) Their libraries are
not only for reading books, but are centres for all kinds of knowledge. In the Central Library for example, you can
practice 3D printing and coding. You can borrow DVDs, children’s games and
puzzles. They have free WIFI and water fountains. The design and interiors of
some libraries are beautiful too.
The libraries are free, anyone can enter and read. If you want to borrow a book you can get a library card also for free.
Needless to say the bookworm in me was in heaven. When I was
studying it was my favorite place. Others might find it funny or maybe even weird
that one of my favourite places in New Zealand, a country known for its beautiful
nature, were the libraries. But this is me.
I loved the beaches too and I will probably write about them in the
future, but for now this is my homage to the Libraries. I now make it a point to check out the library if I’m in a
new city.
Auckland Central Library
My first choice to feature is the Central Library in the CBD,
which is probably the biggest.
Fun reading area for kids
The ground floor is where you can find the children’s books with a very cool area to read with your kids. It looks like an indoor playground.
Borrow not just books!
You can borrow DVDs, learning materials, maps and some games. In some libraries you can borrow board games and jigsaw puzzles.
The ground floor is also where you can find, to my delight, graphic novels, comics and mangas. I can read my fave ones: Neil
Gaiman and Fairy Tale!
Not just a library
There was also the Makers Corner, where you can try 3D printing and coding.
The second floor is where you have your fiction, non-fiction,
biographies, and magazines. There are study areas and computers you can use for studying. This is also where the Citizens Action Bureau (CAB) is located, a free government service for those that need employment and immigration advise.
The third floor holds the restricted, rare and
heritage collections, which I haven't really visited.
Whether or not you are a bookworm like me, I highly suggest you pop in one of the libraries today.
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