With increasing numbers of Aucklanders accessing research and heritage resources and expertise online, Auckland Council Libraries is changing the face-to-face research services in our libraries.
“The number of people using in-person support at our Research Centres has been declining for several years,” says Council’s General Manager of Connected Communities, Mirla Edmundson.
“As a result, we are reducing the locations and opening hours of in-person desk services in keeping with the council’s Annual Budget 2023/2024. This will enable us to manage our collections more effectively and deliver an improved customer experience.”
From 30 September, Auckland Council Libraries will focus on providing ongoing in-person research services at two locations – Research Central (Central City Library) and Research South (Manukau Library) – as well as increasing community outreach and online research support.
“We are expanding our ability to connect you with a specialist librarian over the phone, by email or through a video conference call, using Microsoft Teams or Zoom. This will enable us to support anyone who cannot visit a library,” says Ms Edmundson.
Council says the Special Collections Reading Room at Central City Library will move to an appointment-only service, while popular exhibitions in the gallery will continue to be available to view from Monday to Saturday.
