Massey Library celebrates second birthday

Massey Library marks its second birthday next month with a week of celebrations.

From December 8 to 14, the library celebrates its birthday with decorations, giveaways, displays, storytelling and a quiz competition that offers prize packs of books and passes to the leisure centre, which is part of the same award-winning complex. A special birthday-themed story-time will be held on Wednesday 10 December at 10.15am.

Two years ago, the Massey Library (on the corner of Westgate Drive and Don Buck Road), was opened by Prime Minister Helen Clark, who symbolically placed her new biography on top of a pile of books at the entrance.

At three times the size of the old Massey Library, the new library offers a spacious, inspiring environment in which to learn, source information, listen to stories, meet others or simply relax with a CD or book. The complex itself is an award-winning example of an eco-building that showcases local arts, history and environmental sustainability - complete with stunning views of the Waitemata Harbour.

Massey Library is popular with its local community. Over 400,000 items are now being borrowed from the library each year - around 100,000 more than in 2001.

The library adjoins the YMCA-run leisure centre with its gymnasium, exercise room and creche, the Massey Citizens Advice Bureau and community meeting rooms.

Since last year’s birthday, the library and leisure centre have both expanded their range of programmes and events to cater for this fast-growing part of Waitakere City. There’s always something going on, whether it be a children’s reading programme or leisure activity, book club meetings, author talks, information huis, literacy events, fitness classes or school/pre-school leisure programmes. The Massey reference librarian also conducts introductory talks for new visitors, including information on the building’s “eco-features”.

Through a partnership arrangement, pre-school groups visiting the leisure centre also come to the library for story-telling sessions and children and teens participating in after-school programmes can use the John Lawson community room as a quiet place to do homework. A member of the Library Kidz Team is always on hand to answer questions and offer guidance. Ends

© Scoop Media