New Greerton Library huge hit

The new Greerton Library. Photo/File

The new Greerton Library has drawn in more than 4000 people since opening on July 15.

The opening of the new building became a special community event with a ribbon cutting and a waiata from the library staff.

Tauranga city libraries manager Jill Best said more than 2600 people visited on opening day followed by another 1500 over the weekend.

"This was up from around 500 people per day during the week and 200 on Saturday mornings visiting the old library and the Sunday figures will rise once more people realise the library is now open 7 days," she said.

These record breaking figures were a tribute to the library's attempt to progress the traditional library template to a modern one with a strong digital presence.

"Greerton library is a great example of how libraries have evolved to become community knowledge hubs, offering traditional book-based services like actives for children and adults, spaces to read, study, to meet friends, community history and centres for people to access the internet and learn more about digital technology."

The new building was twice the size of the old library and was a contemporary and engaging amenity for the community of Greerton, she said.

The new library also included a community meeting room and Learning Centre which would be used for people to learn about IT and improve their digital literacy.

Positive feedback about the new library has been overwhelming, she said.

"We are thrilled that the new library is being enjoyed by so many people."

"It's clear from the way our community has enthusiastically embraced Greerton's new library that they are still a much-loved and highly valued part of our lives, even in the digital age."