St Heliers Community Library services will be relocating temporarily to Turua Hall, so that the building can undergo seismic strengthening.
The St Heliers Library operates out of a heritage-listed building, originally constructed in 1926 as the Tamaki West Road Board offices and fire station, before being converted into a public library in 1931.
The building was assessed as being earthquake-prone following the completion of a Detailed Seismic Assessment in 2017, and a subsequent revision in 2020. The building was deemed in need of strengthening works to bring the seismic risk down to an acceptable level.
The St Heliers Library project is one of four seismic pilot projects to receive funding from the seismic regional programme that is being undertaken by Auckland Council Community facilities. Learnings from the regional programme will be applied across the Council owned portfolio of earthquake-prone buildings and will inform key decision making for long-term planning and prioritisation.
As a seismic pilot project, the St Heliers Library project will help determine the best value for money for seismic strengthening and will identify the most effective approach for repairing earthquake-prone buildings of different design, age, complexity, and risk.
Ōrākei Local Board renewal funds have been added to the overall budget for the St Heliers Library, to enable additional improvements to be undertaken while the building is closed.
Scott Milne, Ōrākei Local Board chairperson acknowledges the efforts made to ensure library services for the area will continue throughout the process.
“We are confident that this project is the right thing to do in the longer term. We are excited to see this local heritage not only retained but enhanced.”
“There has been a great deal of effort and care undertaken behind the scenes to ensure library services continue, with as little disruption as possible to regular library users.”
Whilst the St Heliers Community Library building will be closed, most services will continue from a temporary location at Turua Street Hall, located next door and known as the Tamaki ex-Services Hall.
Residents are encouraged to continue using Auckland Libraries' wide range of services online: eBooks, eAudiobooks, the Kura Heritage Collections, and order books at home through "click and collect".
The building will be unavailable upon the seismic construction commencement, which is expected to take place from August 2022, for an estimated duration of eight to ten months.
More information via aucklandlibraries.govt.nz
Full details on service changes can be found here:
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