New Zealand library solves mystery of missing books

Auckland Libraries in New Zealand has solved why its books were going missing  CREDIT: GETTY 

By Mark Molloy

A New Zealand library has finally solved the mystery of why some books were going missing from its shelves.

Auckland Libraries staff were bewildered after finding some books were being hidden in random places.

They initially thought kids playing pranks were to blame, but later discovered it was the city’s rough sleepers who were actually stashing the books so they could return the next day to continue reading.

“A lot of our street community were wanting to put them underneath the couches or underneath book shelves and kind of hiding them in various places,” librarian Sean Taylor told TV NZ.

“Anywhere they thought was theirs and they can keep it there.

“And for a librarian it’s really weird, we’re like ‘oh what’s this book doing here?’ and we’ve put it back.”

Staff found out some of  city’s homeless population were hiding the books, explaining without a permanent address they were unable to sign up for a library card that would allow them to take the literature away.    

As a solution, Auckland Library created a new section where books can now be left overnight and picked back up again the next morning.

 “We actually have this service where you can hold it on the shelf, and you come back in the morning, pick it up and get stuck back in reading,” Mr Taylor added.

“They are really well read. We’ve got a guy who I’ve had a discussion about the meanings of words and we’ll talk about the reference section and it’s the kind of intellectual conversation you’d expect from an academic.”

Auckland Libraries said in a Facebook post: “We're proud to support readers from all walks of life.”

Auckland Library say it sees itself as a “home for the homeless” and holds regular cinema screenings and a book club for those sleeping rough.

Rachel Rivera, manager of Auckland Libraries, says the building is a place homeless people can come to for community and relaxation time.

“I have heard first-hand the importance of libraries to our rough sleeping customers. One guy told me he moved to the city several years ago, and that none of his family back home knew he was homeless. He used our computers to keep in touch with them. It was his lifeline to his family,” she said.

“They value our service, like many of our communities do, for different reasons. But they don’t always feel safe and welcome, and that is something we can and should take steps to address.

 Source: www.telegraph.co.uk