Category: General

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Devonport Library Smashes – Records

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New Library does very well

From Auckland Council:

Devonport Library smashes records in first three months

 Three months in and Devonport’s new library is smashing records for visitor numbers, WiFi use and new memberships.

Te Pātaka Kōrero o Te Hau Kapua, the new Devonport Library, has drawn a record number of visitors, with 93,369 visits between February and April this year. There were 27,289[1] visitors during the same months in 2014, and 45,514 during that period in 2013.

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Chair Joseph Bergin says the community has embraced its new library and the positive feedback has been overwhelming.

“The number of people signing up for library cards has surged, with 532 people registering in the last three months,” he says.

In 2014, there were only 64 new memberships during this period, and 153 in the same period during 2013.

WiFi sessions have increased by 1004 percent, from 1,338 in February to April 2014 to 14,773 since the new library opened.

Auckland Libraries and Information General Manager Allison Dobbie says “We are thrilled that Devonport’s fantastic new library is being enjoyed by so many people.

“The building responds to changes in customer expectations of self service, digital and e-book delivery, and space to meet, relax and think.”

The brand new building on 2 Victoria Road was opened on 2 February with a dawn blessing lead by mana whenua. A civic opening celebration was held on 26 February.

With high ceilings and a mezzanine floor area, the library has 950m2 of floor space, but sits within the same footprint as the former library on Windsor Reserve.

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Job well done there 😀

Central Local Boards Want Equity With Central Sports Fields

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They pay and we don’t, is that fair?

From the Central Local Boards:

Local boards unite in call to remove charges for central sports fields

Sports clubs in the former Auckland City Council area shouldn’t have to pay to use sports fields when clubs elsewhere in Auckland don’t, say the chairs of Orākei, Albert-Eden and Waitematā local boards.

The three board chairs asked Auckland Council’s Parks, Sports and Recreation Committee on Tuesday to remove charges for booking sports fields in central Auckland. The committee agreed to take a case to council’s Finance and Performance Committee.

“We are asking council to correct this inequity as soon as possible as this disparity has been in place for too long,” says Orākei Local Board Chair Desley Simpson, who led the delegation.

“It’s not fair that nearly five years on from the formation of Auckland Council, sports clubs in one area should pay to use sports fields, where clubs in other areas enjoy free use. We look forward to a positive resolution for our clubs and their members.”

“Sport and recreation should be as accessible as possible for all Aucklanders, no matter where they live. One of council’s priorities is promoting individual and community well-being through recreation and sport. The current charging policy disadvantages sports clubs in the areas we represent,” says Waitematā Local Board Chair Shale Chambers.

“Sports clubs generally don’t have large budgets. Clubs can better spend their limited funds on equipment and attracting new members,” says Albert-Eden Local Board Chair Peter Haynes.

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So should they pay while the rest of us don’t? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

New Council Director of Governance Appointed

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New Mayoral Chief of Staff to be appointed

From Auckland Council:

Auckland Council Director of Governance announcement

Today Auckland Council CEO, Stephen Town, announced the appointment of Phil Wilson as the new Director of Governance.

Mr Wilson is currently Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Auckland. He has led the Mayor’s office since 2010 through the formative stages of the new Auckland Council since amalgamation. Phil has a long background in local government and has held a number of senior management roles. He was previously General Manager of HR and Communications for Manukau City Council and then Chief Advisor to that organisation which included leading both the Chief Executive and Mayoral offices.

Stephen Town says “Phil is a well-established figure in local government in Auckland.  He brings with him first-hand experience of our unique governance structure and considerable experience and knowledge. I look forward to welcoming him onto the refreshed Executive Leadership team.”

The Mayor Len Brown says “Phil is ideally suited to this position, he has a passion for Auckland and a track record of strong leadership.  I want to thank him for the work he has done in the initial phase of establishing Auckland Council and his role in helping establish a vision for council and for Auckland”

Mr Wilson replaces Grant Taylor who completed his fixed term as Director of Governance.

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Further Information:

Auckland Council has 171 elected members across Auckland. This role is an influential primary contact point for the Governing Body, the 21 Local Boards and the Independent Maori Statutory Board. This role is also responsible for the audit and risk function and Te Waka Angamua, the team who are responsible for enabling the Council’s contribution to Maori well-being by driving the Council’s Maori responsiveness plan.

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Standardisation of Library Hours

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Extra Hours can be funded by Local Boards

One of the decisions to come out of the Long Term Plan debate over the last two days:

From Auckland Council:

Auckland libraries hold on to opening hours

Auckland Council’s Budget Committee has voted to standardise library opening hours, meaning changes proposed to reduce total library hours across Auckland will not go ahead.

It had been proposed in the draft 10-year Budget that library hours could be reduced to cut costs; however the committee took into account strong public feedback provided through the consultation process and decided the total number of opening hours across the region should stay the same, but be distributed differently.

Mayor of Auckland Len Brown says “Aucklanders have spoken, and we have listened and responded to their concerns.

“The consultation feedback showed how highly Aucklanders value their libraries, so in response to that, we won’t be cutting hours, but will redistribute them fairly to allow more equitable access in each area.”

These changes result in 27 libraries increasing their hours, 24 reducing and three, including the Central City Library, remaining the same. Several libraries, currently funded to be open for six days a week, will now open seven days a week.

One of the communities to benefit from this decision is Birkenhead, where the proposed reduction to its opening hours attracted a lot of feedback. Councillors and council staff took this into account and its seven day service will now remain.

Opening hours are generally 44, 48, 52 or 56 per week, except for Central City Library which is open for 67 hours per week.

Detailed work is still required to establish the exact daily opening hours for the libraries where hours will change.

Local boards may also choose to fund additional opening hours at their local libraries.

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