Two new libraries under way
Building work has begun on Christchurch's two new community libraries, at Parklands and Upper Riccarton. The libraries will be among the most innovative in New Zealand, offering flexible, modern spaces to meet friends, browse the books, magazines, newspapers, CDs, DVDs and videos, enjoy a coffee, learn, study or attend a special event.
Parklands library will be the first to open, in July. It is a redevelopment of the former North Brighton Baptist Church by contractor Higgs Builders with design by Council architect Crispin Schurr. Mainzeal Property and Construction has been appointed to build Upper Riccarton's new community and school library, a partnership between Christchurch City Libraries and Riccarton High School. It is expected to open in December.
Both new libraries will include cafés, operated at Parklands by Va-Voom, and at Upper Riccarton by Red.At Parklands library, there'll be a different feel to the space as the focus switches to different customers at different times of the day. Through the main part of the day, adults will enjoy great resources, great coffee and helpful staff. At pre-schoolers' time, staff will pull down colourful screens and swap adult chairs for beanbags and cushions. After school, the study zone will offer homework help, complete with a video wall, headphones and laptops. Saturdays will offer a low-stress environment combining relaxed reading, coffee, music and technology.
The library at Upper Riccarton will house extensive resources, including a computer lab and a collection of 50,000 printed and audio-visual items, in a 1500sq m building designed by Warren and Mahoney, architects of the South and New Brighton libraries. It will be the first major urban combined school and community library in New Zealand.
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