Auckland Libraries’ research services during Alert Level 2

We are excited to be able to reopen Auckland Libraries' research spaces to customers at Alert Level 2. But we are not quite back to business as usual yet.

Making sure customers and staff are safe is important to us. We have temporary measures in place including limits on the number of people who are allowed into our libraries, limits on time spent inside and sign-in for contact tracing. You may also see our staff wearing masks, and we ask that if you are feeling unwell that you don’t come into the library.

Due to physical distancing requirements we cannot currently offer lengthy one-to-one research assistance but there is a lot we can do to help you find the information you need.

Image: National Publicity Studios. Students at Auckland Central City Library, 1959.
Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections, 895-A59647.

What can you do from home?

We have a handy guide for researching your family history from home and you will find additional guides to help you get started with your research on the Auckland Libraries website.

If you are looking for news items, Papers Past is a rich source of full text New Zealand newspapers published up until the 1940s. Or if your topic is more contemporary search for references in the Auckland People and Events section of Kura Heritage Collections Online. Kura is a great resource in general, whether you are looking for information about your family, local history or wanting to explore our heritage collections. If you are looking for photographs, search on Heritage Images too. 

We are continuing to run our popular HeritageTalks series via Zoom, check out the latest event listings on our website. Or you can catch up on past sessions on Ngā Pātaka Kōrero Auckland Libraries podcast or on our YouTube channel.

What do you need to know to prepare for your visit?

We have contact tracing in place at all our sites. We will have QR codes for the Government app displayed at all of our locations. Or if you don’t have a smart phone paper sign-in sheets are available.

There are limits on the number of customers we can have inside the library, so depending on demand on the day of your visit there may be a limit to how much time you can spend inside.

We have set things up a bit differently to allow for physical distancing so there may be fewer computers, desks and microform readers available.

The best thing you can do before you come in to see is us get in touch. We can help you with things like booking time on our microfilm readers, preparing the material you need so it is ready when you arrive or we may be able to help you get what you need without coming in.

Image: National Publicity Studios. Students in a library at the University of Auckland, 1950s or 1960s. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections, 895-A73924.

How to get in touch…

We are here to help – whether you would like some virtual assistance by phone or email or you would like to talk to us before you come to the library.

Please find research centre specific email addresses below and click on the research centre names to view their opening days and hours.

Research Central: arc@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Research North: library.northheritage@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Research South: library.southheritage@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Research West: library.westheritage@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Sir George Grey Special Collections: specialcollections@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

If you have a general research enquiry, please fill in our online query form or give us a call on 09 377 0209 and we will find the right person to get in touch with you.

Author: Stacey Smith, Manager Research Delivery

Updated: 31 August 2020