Books dust off jackets and settle into new home

Greerton's temporary library opened yesterday. The first person through the doors was Don Wills who was returning books and looking for another good read. Photo / John Borren

Don Wills loves a good murder-mystery.

The self-confessed avid reader was first through the doors of Greerton Library's temporary location on its first day of operation yesterday.

The site at 1334 Cameron Rd is smaller than the original library but is expected to still offer the same level of service for users like Mr Wills.

"I usually go through a couple of books a week," the 76-year-old said.

"I get three usually. There's a chance I don't like one or I might have already read one."

Mr Wills said once he managed to navigate the new set up, he was able to update his book collection for the week.

He said he preferred the original library, especially as it had a highly convenient car park located outside compared to the street parking of the library's new site just south of Chadwick Rd.

"I was happy with it," he said.

"But I look forward to what will happen with the new one."

In June last year, Tauranga City Council agreed to fund up to $3.45 million of construction costs toward the new 900m2 library. The council has since applied to the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board for funding to extend the plan by an extra 150m2.

The temporary library will operate until the new library is completed, which is currently expected to be April 2016.

The original Greerton Library was built as a one-room community library in 1975 and refurbished in 1997.

The new one is expected to be double the size. It will be built on the same site following demolition of the original.