Additional funding of $75,000 is proposed in the draft community plan to extend the opening hours of the Central Library and four suburban libraries, as a result of customer feedback.

The funding would allow the Central Library to open three hours earlier on Sundays (10am – 4pm) and the Fendalton, Shirley, Linwood and Papanui libraries to stay open three hours later on Saturdays (10am to 4pm).

The changes would take place towards the end of 2004. The Central Library would also open from 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday (it currently opens at 10am).

Funding for new libraries
In 1992, the Council approved an extension, refurbishment and renewal programme for its library network, the aim being for 80 per cent of the city to be within 2km of a library. To complete this programme, two new libraries are in the planning.

Funding of $1,795,000 is allocated in the draft community plan for the new Upper Riccarton Library, due to open in December 2005. A further $3,656,000 is allocated in 2005/06, which includes $550,000 from the Ministry of Education.

A joint venture between the City Council and Riccarton High School, the new library will serve more than 30,000 residents from the Riccarton, Avonhead, Ilam, Sockburn, Wharenui and Wigram communities. A public meeting was held earlier this month to present the concept designs for the new library.

Also allocated in the draft community plan is $1,475,000 for a new library at Parklands, also due to open in 2005, and $505,600 for the refurbishment of Spreydon Library spread over two years — 2005/06 and 2006/07.