Work to replace the water-damaged facade of Hamilton’s Central Library begins next week, with the library’s doors remaining open throughout the nine-month construction.
Physical work will begin on 1 September and is expected to be completed by early May 2026.
The 50-year-old building, a major feature of Garden Place, will be wrapped and enclosed with hoarding to protect the site and ensure public safety.
The Central Library, which is home to specialist and heritage collections, will continue its usual opening hours for its loyal customers. Last year, the Central library was visited more than 140,000 times, hosted 450 events and programmes, and had 160,000 items borrowed.
Hamilton City Council’s Community Services Unit Director, Rebecca Whitehead, said the near-million library visits citywide highlight the importance of maintaining these facilities.
“This work is about maintaining one of our city’s key public buildings and making sure the Central Library remains safe, weather-tight, and fit-for-purpose for Hamiltonians,” said Whitehead.
“Books are the backbone of our libraries, but libraries are so much more than books to the community now. They’re a hub where people can go to learn, play, meet new people, get help, and have a really good time.”
While the doors remain open, there will be some changes for users to minimise the impact.
“To reduce the noise, mainly during the removal of the current facade, insulated wooden hoardings are being installed inside on all levels of the library. The team have also moved some services, including Wriggle and Rhyme events, temporarily from the front to the back of the building.”
In the 2024/25 financial year, in-person visits jumped 69% to 928,000, while virtual visits reached 1.68 million. Libraries hosted 1698 events, a 44% increase on the previous year and drawing nearly 44,000 attendees.
“This project is an opportunity to implement a durable solution on the 50-year-old building that aligns with the library's future direction, mana whenua connections, and the central city's vision, ensuring longevity and sustainability,” said Whitehead.
The construction of the Central Library facade will be completed by Watts & Hughes Construction.