“In the two weeks after the Central Library was closed our branch libraries overall had 9276 more customer visits than when compared to the two weeks before - an increase of 21 percent.
“During this time, some of our more popular neighbourhood libraries showed significant increases in customer visits, with Karori Library up 21 percent or 3567 more visits. Visits to Wadestown Library went up 20 percent, Brooklyn Library 18 percent and Newtown Library 6 percent.
“After the Central Library closed, we acted quickly to relocate some of our Central Library staff out to our branch libraries to respond to the increased customer demand.
“So I’m very pleased that with the continued support of our staff we’re able to add 31 opening hours per week across the branch library network.
“We think we have achieved a good match of customer demand with the right increased hours at the right locations, but this will be closely monitored over the coming weeks,” the Mayor said.
New hours will be in place from Monday 15 April at the following libraries:
- Brooklyn Library - Wednesdays from 10am to 5.30pm (additional 3 hours)
- Johnsonville Library - Wednesdays from 9.30am to 8pm (additional 2.5 hours)
- Karori Library - Tuesdays from 9.30am to 8pm and Saturdays from 9.30am to 5pm (additional 3 hours)
- Miramar Library - Saturdays from 9.30am to 5pm (additional 5 hours)
- Newtown Library - Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays from 10am to 8pm and Saturdays from 9.30am to 5pm (additional 7.5 hours)
- Ruth Gotlieb (Kilbirnie) Library - Saturdays 9.30am to 5pm (additional 1.5 hours)
- Wadestown Library - Wednesdays from 10am to 5.30pm and Saturdays from 9.30am to 5pm (additional 8.5 hours)
Councillor Fleur Fitzsimons, who holds Wellington City Council’s community facilities portfolio, says the first pop-up in Manners Street is due to open in late May, with other library pop-ups opening throughout the year.
“The new hours may gradually reduce over time as the CBD library network pop-ups are opened,” she said.
Further details of the locations and services available at the library pop-ups will be announced in the coming weeks. Services are likely to include selections of popular and new items, reserve pick up service, returns, wifi and internet access. Library staff will be on hand to answer questions, process payments, register new customers, and provide support and advice on the wide range of online content available through our eLibrary.
It is anticipated the pop-up service hours will include evenings and weekends.