Mt Roskill Community Library

For a little suburban library this one is surprisingly large and flash looking. It has high ceilings and fancy glass partitions and a sort of central checkout island that makes me think of American college libraries for some reason. The book selection is much as you’d expect, but the comics were a bit better than you’d normally find in a suburban library — still nothing compared to central’s collection, but a lot better than, say, Pt Chev or Mt Albert. We went in on a mid-​week afternoon and the place was pleasingly busy, with a mix of adults and kids browsing and reading. They also have computer access but I can’t say I’ve ever used it because, you know, so does my house. But it’s good that it’s there, and it obviously is getting used. Overall this is a good library, although I can’t comment on the staff because thanks to the self-​checkout machines I’ve never actually dealt with any of them.

This is my local library, has been ever since I moved up to Auckland, and will always hold a space in my heart as the place I first racked up a 50 dollar fine. That’s the problem with getting out a whole lot of books, it’s easy to forget them — and at 30 cents a day, it can add up pretty fast.
Roskill Library has changed quite a lot over the years, and, as seems to be a theme with Auckland Libraries, has a lot less books then it used to. They did a big renovation last year, and since then it seems like there are half as many book aisles — but three times as many computers. It’s a good thing, offering free internet and computer time to those who need it, but I can’t help but miss browsing through hundreds of books looking for one that interested me.

This is my local library and one of my favourite places. It is as kid-​friendly as could be and I love that I can walk in here with my kids and we each go our own way before meeting up later.
I still have moments of amazement where I’m like «books for free!!!». It’s one of the great pleasures of civilised life to have access to more books than you could ever read in a lifetime and best of all, it costs nothing!
The librarians here are particularly helpful and one in particular always goes out of her way to make recommendations to my 11 year old daughter which I am so appreciative of. I will say though that there are a couple of (male) part timers here who are grumpiness personified. Yeah we know libraries are cool and yes, you must be very cool to work in one but let’s not forget, it’s still a customer service job. Like I said, the ladies are all lovely so go figure.

Mt Roskill Library is next to Three Kings Reserve and the Countdown.
I like the modern building and that there are comfy chairs provided (as well as chairs and desks). Sometimes I visit and read all my favourite parts of the paper here — the whole weeks worth of newspapers are available to look at. There is also all the normal magazines, large print books and CDs to borrow.
There are 14 computers to use if you are a member of the library — then you can log in (or book a time if they are all being used).
The library is open every day — check the business listing for full opening hours.