Auckland Central Library closed due to leak

Auckland Central Library is closed because of a leak, but readers won't be getting away with returning books late.

A burst water main at a private property on Mayoral Dr caused the leak.

Watercare says it hopes to fix it as soon as possible.

Auckland Council senior media adviser Therese Sutherland said she didn't know whether the library would open today.

"We decided to close the library because our air conditioning has been affected by the fault."

The library is a top spot for school children during the holidays.

Libraries general manager Mirla Edmundson said the leak had not affected library collections and members could still slip books through the returns slot.

The library is housing a display to mark the 400th anniversary of playwright William Shakespeare's death, Edmundson said, and the exhibition contained "several priceless artefacts".