Overview
Wellington's third pop-up library is set to open this week, as decisions are still yet to made on the future of the earthquake prone Wellington Central Library. Following the opening of the Arapaki Manners Library and Service Centre on Manners Street last year, the Te Awe Library arrives between Brandon and Panama Streets on Tuesday, 14 July.
Te Awe (meaning White Feathers) is the largest of the Council's three interim libraries. The pop-ups have been designed for people to use while decisions on the Central Library are made, and subsequent physical works undertaken. The Central Library has been closed to the public since March 2019. This month Wellington City Council will present a document to the public to help decide whether the building should be strengthened, demolished or de-centralised.
At Te Awe, Wellingtonians can browse and borrow more than 20,000 items, including fiction and non-fiction books, magazines, CDs and vinyl. The library will also host events and programs like movie nights, offer plenty of seating and quiet zones to study and read, as well as dedicated meeting rooms. Book borrowers can also grab Peoples Coffee and cabinet food from Collective Cafe, which will be open beside the library on Wednesday, 15 July.
Te Awe Library can be accessed via either 29 Brandon Street or Panama Street next to the Collective Cafe. There are return slots at both entrances, and the one in Panama Street is open after hours.
Following the opening dawn ceremony on Tuesday, 14 July, Te Awe Library will be open from 9.30am. The regular hours are 8am–8pm, Monday to Friday and 9.30am–5pm on Saturday and Sunday.