The Reading Rooms

Research requires a clean, quiet, and well-lit place to really dig into the collections without distractions. Our refurbished Reading Rooms on Level One give you all that and helpful staff.

Make the most of your visit, and be prepared.

Reading in the Library

The Reading Rooms are available for all kinds of research. The reference collections are on hand for easy use, and collection items are delivered throughout the day.

As well as spacious desks and paper-sensitive lighting, we provide computers with broadband internet access to help with your research. Staff are available throughout the floor.

Use the National Library collections in the General Reading Room, and Alexander Turnbull Library collections in the Katherine Mansfield Reading Room. Large format items, and some fragile pieces, can be used in the Heaphy Room on the second floor.

As so many items in the Turnbull collections are one of a kind, we do not allow bags, coats, food or drink, or pens in the Katherine Mansfield Reading Room. We provide lockers and plastic bags for your things.

Staff are on hand to help you with your questions, and can help you make copies of fragile items.

Accessing the Reading Rooms

Researchers are the first into the redeveloped National Library building. Congratulations!

Come through the main entrance on Molesworth Street, and then come upstairs. The Reading Rooms are on Level One, and our staff will be happy to help you get familiar with the new surroundings.

Looking after the collections

To preserve the collections for future generations, we ask that you treat them carefully and respectfully. Ask us if you have any questions about object handling.

Ordering items for delivery

Collections items are brought to the Reading Rooms throughout the day.

General Reading Room deliveries

Please note that the deadline for ordering is 15 minutes before the next delivery.

If you order by	Your item will be delivered at
9.30am	10.00am
10.15am	10.30am
11.00am	11.15am
11.45am	12.00 noon
12.30pm	12.45pm
1.15pm	1.30pm
2.00pm	2.15pm
2.45pm	3.00pm
3.30pm	3.45pm
4.15pm	4.30pm
After 4.30pm	10.00am the following day

Katherine Mansfield Reading Room deliveries

Please note that the deadline for ordering is 90 minutes before the next delivery.

If you order by	Your item will be delivered at
8.30am	10.00am
10.30am	12.00 noon
12.00 noon	1.30pm
1.30pm	3.00pm
3.00pm	4.30pm
After 4.30pm	10.00am the following day

Items from the following collections will be supplied at times advised by staff at the time of ordering:

• Drawings, paintings, and prints
• Ephemera
• Cartographic
• Oral history
• Rare books and fine printing