It contained various items such as maps, driver's licences, shopping receipts, and old library cards from the 1960s and 1970s. Blessed by a kaumatua from Awataha Marae it was planned to be dug up in one hundred years. On the plaque are quoted the opening two lines from T. S. Eliot's poem Burnt Norton. In 1992 issues topped 300,000 items. By 2003 usage of the library had increased still further, to such an extent that it was noticeably affecting service delivery. Over 500 people a day were entering the library and new members were growing at a rate of 150 per month. Finding room to add new material to the existing stock of some 67,500 items was becoming increasingly difficult. Another factor driving the need for change was the absence of enough space for community groups, such as primary schools and students, bookclubs, and author events. By the end of the 1990s some sort of addition to the library or a rebuild was being actively considered. In 2005, in preparation for building works on the same site, the library was shifted to a converted basketball court in the Birkenhead Leisure Centre in Mahara Avenue (pictured). Other alternative sites had been considered, but most were found to be either inappropriate or too expensive. With limited space available for services, the Plunket, Citizen's Advice Bureau (CAB), and council Area Office had to find alternative premises. In fact only 50% to 60% of the library's own stock could be accommodated.  $175,000 was budgeted for the fitout of the basketball court, and included such things as improved lighting, car park access, and funding for a passenger lift to allow for disabled patrons. Since the location was some distance from the town centre, a free shuttle bus was provided from Highbury once a week. The Leisure Centre is located in the Birkenhead War Memorial Park. In the areas adjacent to the library, there were problems associated with youth drinking, graffiti, and other undesirable behaviour. Patronage of the library dropped by 35%. In March 2007, the library was granted a resource consent to use the Leisure Centre location for a further three years or until the new library was built, whichever came later. This location was meant to be a transitional arrangement while the new building was being constructed. However, the library remained at this temporary location for four years. Brendan Rawson, from the Architecture Office  in Ponsonby, was retained in 2004 to design a building that would create the much needed public space; and in addition, reflect the heritage of the area.