29 May 2006

Innovation revealed at new look Central City Library

The results of the $2.6 million redevelopment of the Central City Library were revealed today when Mayor of Auckland city, Dick Hubbard officially declared it open.

Innovation is a key platform in the Central City Library redevelopment. This innovation takes many forms starting with interactive games. This installation is a unique multi-sensory entertainment and learning experience and is the first of its kind in New Zealand and one of only three in the world.

Another innovation comes in the form of the new café called real. People are now looking to make healthier and more convenient choices and real offer healthy and delicious options to complement busy urban lifestyles together with excellent coffee to match.

Libraries are magnets for information discovery and research indicated people wanted world news and the internet access at their fingertips. The leading edge news zone provides world news via satellite and four computers will provide access to many international newspapers online. The Akozone Centre, the brand new computer learning facility on the first floor, offers free access to the library catalogue, digital library, e-government services and much more. You can take a class, work on an assignment or browse the internet.

Mayor Hubbard says:

"I am delighted to see this type of innovation at the Central City Library. This redevelopment will undoubtedly help Auckland City deliver Auckland's CBD Into the future strategy to revitalise the CBD into one of the world's most vibrant and dynamic business, recreation and cultural centres."

To celebrate the launch of the library, an exciting week of events and activities is taking place from 29 May - 4 June. Highlights include:

Celebrity storytimes: With Suzy Cato, one of New Zealand's favourite children's presenters; Christine Tintinger - zookeeper from Auckland Zoo and one of the stars from the popular TV show 'The Zoo'; an author talk and taste test challenge with one of New Zealand's notable children's authors Brian Faulkner.

Free live music! Central City Library will get the Ground Floor moving with lunchtime concerts from The New Freedom, Definite and Bling and Ryan McPhun and the Ruby Suns.

Glengarry Desert Island Reads on Wednesday 31 May at 6pm: With well known personalities and authors Michael Hurst, Jennifer Ward-Lealand, Graham Reid, Paul Reynolds, Richard and Pamela Wolfe, Jacqueline Fahey and Iain Sharp reading from the books they'd never leave behind. Tickets: $8. Buy online or from the Ground Floor at the Central City Library.

Evening talks: Discover many of the treasures held at Auckland City Libraries on Tuesday 30 May at 6pm in Treasures of Special Collections. Learn about what goes on behind the scenes to protect, repair and preserve our collections in Preserving the Libraries' Collections on Thursday 1 June at 6pm.

For details on all our events, check out our event guide .

The Central City Library is also running a competition for customers to win 42" Sony Plasma TV worth over $4000! If customers take out 10 items from the Central City Library between 29 May and 29 June, they will go in the draw to win. This great prize has been kindly sponsored by Provision.

For more information, please go to www.aucklandcitylibraries.com or call (09) 377 0209.

ENDS

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