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Halswell Library is three times
bigger than it was and people are loving it. Following work that finished earlier this year, there's room to browse, study tables, space for storytelling, a children's Macintosh computer and public toilets with baby changing stations. "It's a dramatic improvement and makes the library a much nicer place for the public and staff," says Roberta Maclean, the community librarian. "We've had lots of positive comments about it." The new Shirley Library and Service Centre on Marshland Road is close to Shirley Shopping Centre and elderly persons' housing. The library is more than twice the size of the previous library and features a self-issue unit, a room for school class visits, story times, senior citizens' guest speaker programmes and other activities, and public toilets. Community librarian Nicki Moen says the new building, which was blessed by Tuahuriri Runanga in January and officially opened by the mayor in February, is proving popular. The statistics show an increase of more than 20 per cent in the number of people using the library, compared with last year. |
The current extension and refurbishment of Canterbury Public Library, on Gloucester Street, will provide more space and resources for the public.
The third floor is being completed and a new escalator linking the first and second floors is being installed.
The library will continue to be open while the work is being done.
For its size, Spreydon Library is the busiest in the network. Users will be pleased to hear provision has been made in the 1996-97 Annual Plan to extend the library by 450 square metres.
Earmarked for the 1997-98 and 1998-98 financial years is a shift for Fendalton Library. Suburban liaison and development librarian Erina Parks says "it has been identified as needing to shift because of a need for more space and because of the traffic hazards on Clyde Road".
New Brighton Library also needs more space to cope with current demands and funding is provided in the 1997-98 year for land and a new 800 sq.m. building.
There are plans for a new 675 sq.m. library in St Martins on the existing site, adjacent to the St Martins shopping centre. "This area needs improved library services - there being no professional library between Linwood and Spreydon", says Erina Parks.