Hadn’t thought about it previously, but when it’s pointed out the architectural design of the roof of Pakuranga Library is an upside-down open book.

Clever, those library designers in 1985, 30 years ago, for which the three-decade anniversary of the Pakuranga Library building is celebrated on March 11.

Later this year, on October 2, it’ll also be the 55th anniversary of having a public library in Pakuranga.

The Times visited with Pakuranga Library staff, who say they’re excited about this year’s respective birthdays and would like the public’s help by way of feedback.

“We’d love to hear your stories and memories of our community’s library,” says Vinson Chao Yu, library assistant of three years and previous community charity worker.

“Email us at pakuranga.library@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or have a chat with one of the staff next time you’re in.”

The callout to the community “to share their memories” is about encouraging people to “reconnect” with Pakuranga Library.

Chao Yu also emphasises, like most libraries, it’s a place where families and individuals go to source reading material and information, and people congregate to connect socially and use the public computers.

“It’s a part of their life,” he says.

Karen Lawson, the senior programmes and events librarian, has worked for Manukau City and Auckland Libraries for 20 years.

She says when Pakuranga’s Children’s Library opened in October 1970, afternoon openings were for two hours on weekdays, with 2000 children living within a one-mile radius.

Pakuranga sure was a nappy valley in the 1970s and 1980s.

The first Pakuranga Library, with 3500 books, was sited in Reeves Road where Te Tuhi arts and culture centre stands.

Lawson’s job is all about people, interacting and co-ordinating groups that use the community facility, one of which, the knitting group is quietly stitching garments as the ladies do each week for charities and people in need.

She mentions the library also stocks literature titles in the languages of Mandarin, Spanish and Hindi, as well as English.

The manager of Pakuranga Community Library, Allan Picking, has been in the role since 2017, worked for Auckland Libraries for 15 years, and says he has a “different focus” from Lawson and Chao Yu.

“I’m thinking about staffing and how this library will continue to develop and grow.”

He manages the relationship between the Pakuranga Library and parent entity Auckland Libraries, and the Howick Local Board.

Lawson says a new Pakuranga Library building with 25,000 books opened on February 22, 1973, behind Foodtown (now Woolworths) at Pakuranga Plaza, described by then Manukau City Mayor, the late Sir Lloyd Elsmore, “as the biggest and best yet to date in Manukau City”.

On March 11, 1995, the official opening for the present building was held.

Lawson says the Pakuranga Library then stocked more than 85,000 books, videos, newspapers and magazines, and was thought “spacious”.

In 1997, it was the busiest library in Manukau and introduced new collections such as CDs and children’s puzzles.

On one day, the Tuesday after Easter 1997, 2000 people passed through its doors.

In March 1997, it issued 51,000 titles.

In comparison, Picking says Pakuranga Library’s present stock is 33,000 items and it makes 10,000 to 11,000 issues of titles a month, with annual visits more than 130,000.

Returning to the original idea for a library in Pakuranga, a children’s one, the Eastern Courier reported in October 1970 the opening:

‘Mayor of Manukau City, Lloyd Elsmore, said in his address that the opening of a library in this area was a step in the right direction in the building up of the cultural and educational side of the Pakuranga section of this major city.

‘Plans are afoot for a major library complex at the Pakuranga Town Centre.’