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Wellington, which Lonely Planet called “the coolest little capital in the world,” is famed for its thriving creative Maori culture, which can be learned more about in the city’s many libraries. Hello, readers who can’t get enough! We haven’t seen you reading in that gorgeous environment in a while; where have you been? Just because you’re in the vibrant city doesn’t mean there’s nothing worth reading.
We know it is becoming increasingly difficult to locate a good library in the city with each passing day. Still, libraries in Wellington possess several excellent sites ideal for a reader’s soul. Here is the list of the top libraries in Wellington, which will clear up all of your questions and assist you in finding your next favourite book.
Top 10+ Libraries to Visit in Wellington
Te Awe Library – Harbour City Centre
- Location – 29B Brandon Street, Wellington, New Zealand
- Visiting Days – Monday – Sunday
- Opening Hours – Monday to Friday – 8 am – 8 pm; Saturday and Sunday – 9:30 am – 5 pm
- Fee – $2 charge per item
Why Visit – Te Awe library has a collection of over 20,000 items for sale, including audiobooks, vinyl recordings, large print books, audiobooks, audiovisual media, and books, both fictional and non-fictional. There is plenty of both seating and workspace. Laptops, printing, and copying are all available at public Wi-Fi hotspots. The library hosts various programs, including Baby Rock & Rhyme, preschool storytime, reading groups, author lectures, free movie screenings, creative projects, and more.
He Matapihi Molesworth Library
- Location – 70 Molesworth St, Thorndon, Wellington
- Visiting Days – Monday to Saturday
- Opening Hours – Monday to Friday – 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Saturday – 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
- Fee – $2 charge per item
Why Visit – Feel free to peruse the nearly 5,000 items in the collection, or request to borrow any specific item with an Aotearoa or Maori focus. The library includes New Zealand novels, biographies, and publications written in Te Reo; Maori and Mori regional history; architectural and artistic works; general and natural history; social commentary. There is also a children’s room, magazines, digital resources, public computers, printing services, free Wi-Fi, and plenty of seats.
Arapaki Manners Library and Service Centre
- Location – 12 Manners Street, Wellington
- Visiting Days – Monday to Saturday
- Opening Hours – Monday to Friday – 8:00 am – 7:00 pm, Saturday – 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
- Fee – $2 charge per item
Why Visit – Arapaki Manners Library has over 7,500 books, magazines, language resources, and other media genres accessible for checkout. This location provides access to the internet, personal computers, and a quaint area for enjoying meals after work. You can always ask available library staff members on-site for help with anything, from finding a book to answering inquiries.
Island Bay Library
- Location – 167 The Parade, Island Bay, Wellington 6023, New Zealand
- Visiting Days – Monday to Saturday
- Opening Hours – Monday to Friday: 10 am – 6 pm, Saturday: 10 am – 4 pm
- Fee – Free
Why Visit – Like all the other libraries in Wellington, The Island Bay Library has a long history of clandestinely collecting rare books, including those that were originally banned without the staff’s knowledge. The experience of entering the bookshop is similar to walking into a welcoming living room because there are numerous volumes to look over and friendly workers to steer you in the proper path.
Ruth Gotlieb (Kilbirnie) Library
- Location – 101 Kilbirnie Crescent, Kilbirnie, Wellington, New Zealand
- Visiting Days – Monday – Saturday
- Opening Hours – Monday to Friday: 10 am – 6 pm, Saturday: 10 am – 4 pm
- Fee – Free
Why Visit – The Ruth Gotlieb Library is known to be one of the top libraries in Wellington and has also received the most visitors in the Wellington City Library. The library’s collection has grown by about 4,200,000 printed books and 50,000 manuscripts. Readers can also check out papers from this reference library. The library offers exam proctoring, quiet study facilities, and copying, scanning, and printing services.
National Library Wellington
- Location – National Library Wellington, Cnr Molesworth and Aitken Street
- Visiting Days – Monday to Saturday
- Opening Hours – Monday to Friday: 9 am to 5 pm, Saturday: 9 am to 1 pm
- Fee – Charged as per item
Why Visit – Desire to explore libraries in Wellington? Next is the National Library of Wellington. This library has relocated numerous times and now has thousands of volumes. The National Library of Wellington provides vital resources. You can use their computing devices, printers, and photocopiers. In addition, public art, notary services, local history, and an oral history project for veterans are also provided, along with supplied study tours, meetings, and events.
Barbara Buckett Law
- Location – Willis Street, Wellington, New Zealand
- Visiting Days – Monday to Saturday
- Opening Hours – Monday to Friday: 10 am – 6 pm
- Fee – Free
Why Visit – The Barbara Buckett Law library collection features various excellent titles. You can always request an interlibrary loan if you can’t find what you’re searching for. Be sure to give some consideration to the various services that are provided to you by the library. They offer services such as copying and scanning, study rooms, and tax guidance when filing taxes.
Brooklyn Library
- Location – Cnr of Harrison & Cleveland Streets, Brooklyn, Wellington, New Zealand
- Visiting Days – Monday to Saturday
- Opening Hours – Monday – 1 pm-8 pm, Tuesday – 10 am-5.30 pm, Wednesday – 1 pm-5.30 pm, Thursday – 10 am-5.30 pm, Friday – 10 am-5.30 pm, Saturday – 10 am-12 pm
- Fee – Free
Why Visit – The Brooklyn Library is an excellent place for anyone interested in art. A sizable collection of books here cover topics related to the arts, such as theatre, dance, painting, sculpture, architecture, photography, and similar topics, making it stand out from other libraries in wellington. In addition to periodicals covering the arts, their collection includes tomes devoted to classical music.
Newtown Library
- Location – 13 Constable Street, Newtown, Wellington, New Zealand
- Visiting Days – Monday to Saturday
- Opening Hours – Monday to Friday: 10 am to 6 pm, Saturday: 10 am to 4 pm
- Fee – Free
Why Visit- The Newtown library offers an array of genres to ensure that everyone may find what they enjoy. It is quiet and tucked away from the city, with comfortable chairs and wooden flooring, making it a great place to relax with a book and enjoy the day. Newton Library has plenty of reading rooms compared to other libraries in Wellington.
Wadestown Library
- Location – 1 Moorhouse Street, Wadestown, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
- Visiting Days – Monday to Saturday
- Opening Hours – Monday and Tuesday-10 am-5.30 pm, Wednesday- 10.30 am-5.30 pm, Thursday-1 pm-8 pm, Friday-10 am-5.30 pm, Saturday-10 am-12 pm
- Fee – Free
Why Visit – The Wadestown Library’s catalogue includes the Maori Collection. However, you can request an interlibrary loan if you can’t find what you need. Take advantage of the library’s many services, adult print, and magazines. They offer copying, scanning, study rooms, and tax assistance for filing taxes.
Wellington is home to a diverse range of libraries, several of which have unique collections. No matter what you want to read, one of these other options should satisfy your needs. These libraries in Wellington are well-known icons of the city’s cultural and historical institutions. In addition, the libraries in Wellington provide readers with a paradise that contributes to the vibrant reading collection found across the city.
