| St Heliers Library | |
|---|---|
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| 36°51′03″S174°51′29″E / 36.8508°S 174.8580°E | |
| Location | 32 Saint Heliers Bay Road, St Heliers, Auckland, New Zealand |
| Type | Public library |
| Established | 1926 |
| Service area | Saint Heliers |
| Branch of | Auckland Libraries |
| Other information | |
| Website | St Heliers Library |
St Heliers Library is a local branch of Auckland Libraries, serving the suburb of Saint Heliers. It is an Auckland Council Heritage listed building category B. [1]
The first library in the St Heliers area was the Tamaki Library at Tamaki school in the 1870s, with about 300, mostly non-fiction books. [2] A Mr Chambers donated 150 books to Tamaki library, with the library requesting further contributions from the community, receiving a total of 260 books. The Tamaki West Road Board purchased a further 1000 books, to be stored in the powerhouse in Long Drive until the new library location opened in 1926. [2]
St Heliers Library was first opened in 1926 as the Tamaki West Road Board offices and fire station, built by Lye & Sons. [3] The offices and fire station were made of fireproof brick, and was designed so that it could be converted into a library if needed. [3] The fire station successfully ran the library by 1927 alongside its regular duties. [2]
The Tamaki West Road Board offices and fire station was transitioned into a public library opening in on the 13th of June 1931. [4] [5] Two rooms were made available for the lending of books and the library was opened by Councillor Ellen Melville, Chairman of the Library Committee. [6] The Lending Department was capable of holding 3000 volumes at that time. The number of volumes and visitors rapidly increased, and by 1937 an additional room of 37 feet was built to expand the Lending Department, and add a children's room reading room, and staff room. [6] [7]
The library underwent earthquake strengthening and renewal work in 2022 after being twice assessed as earthquake prone. It received funding from the Auckland Council seismic regional programme for this work. [4] In addition to seismic strengthening, the roof and windows were replaced and original panelling and other features were discovered and preserved. [8] [9] The library reopened on the 15th of August 2023. Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson said at the opening that "as a result of Auckland Council investment, our beautiful St Heliers library is future-proofed for many generations to come.” [8]
The St Heliers Library runs many library services and events, including for children and older people. [10] The library has run a children's holiday programme over the summer holidays since at least 1977. The library is open every day. [11]
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This is a timeline of the history of the city of Auckland in New Zealand.
Tamaki Drive is the coastal road which follows the contours of the Waitematā Harbour, Auckland, New Zealand. The road links the suburbs Ōrākei, Mission Bay, and Kohimarama ending in Saint Heliers providing easy access to the local beaches. Tamaki Drive was completed in 1932 and incorporates The Strand, Bice Esplanade and, what was once part of the old Kohimarama Road. It is also referred to as the Waterfront Road. Tamaki Drive is a flat road around 8 km long and popular with walkers, runners and roller skaters, and includes a dedicated cycle lane. Those travelling along Tamaki Drive can find scenic highlights and peaceful views across the harbour to the volcanic island Rangitoto. The cliffs backing onto Tamaki Drive are made of Waitematā Sandstone strata clothed in places with pōhutukawa. These trees seem to flower out of season, because these are actually Kermadec pōhutukawa with small distinctive roundish leaves.
Karaka Bay or Waiarohe is on the western shore of the Tāmaki River mouth in the suburb of Glendowie, Auckland. The bay is bordered to the north by Te Papa a Tamatera and looks out to the islands of the eastern Waitematā Harbour: Rangitoto, Motutapu, Motukorea, Motuihe and Waiheke as well as to Musick Point across the estuary. It is accessed by boat or by a steep path that winds down the hill from the end of Peacock Street; there is no road access to the bay itself. This lack of road access has given Karaka Bay a unique sense of identity; it is unlike anywhere else in Auckland.
Arthur Thomas Pycroft was a New Zealand naturalist and collector, known especially for his ornithological work. Pycroft worked for the New Zealand Railways Department and became a senior manager, but he retired young after receiving a large inheritance. This gave him more time for his real passion as a naturalist and ornithologist. He organised expeditions, mostly to islands off the coast of the North Island, with a focus on birds and plants. He grew rare plants at his large property in the Auckland suburb of Saint Heliers. Another of his interests was collecting rare books. When his library was put up for sale 40 years after his death, it was dubbed the "last great private library" in New Zealand. Pycroft held membership with the Auckland Institute at Auckland Museum for 75 years and was the organisation's president in 1935–36.
Dingle Dell is a nature reserve in the suburb of St Heliers in Auckland, New Zealand. It consists of 6.48 hectares of native bush and a small grass field. The walk contains stairs and may not be suitable for pushchairs. Dogs are permitted off-leash. Dingle Dell has long been overlooked as a nature reserve, named by the New Zealand Herald in the 1950s the "Cinderella of Auckland's Parks."
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