Spreydon Library closes this Friday for three-month refurbishment

27 August 2007

Spreydon Library closes this Friday (31 August) to undergo a three-month refurbishment.

Built in the 1970s, the library is in need of major refurbishment to upgrade facilities to better meet changing community needs and comply with health and safety standards, says Christchurch City Libraries Manager Carolyn Robertson.

"Spreydon Library will close at 6pm this Friday and is expected to re-open early December."

Mrs Robertson says it is unfortunate the nature of the work means the library can not remain operational during this time. "Simply, the health and safety risks to customers are too high."

She acknowledges the closure of the library for three months will be inconvenient for many customers and apologises in advance for the disruption this will cause.

During the three-month closure, the Mobile Library will provide Spreydon Library customers with a limited service on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The bus will be located in Simeon Street, by Barrington Mall, from 12.30pm to 1.40pm on Wednesdays and 12.30pm to 2.30pm on Saturdays.

Spreydon Library customers will also have access to the network of Christchurch City Libraries – the closest being South Library in Colombo Street, Beckenham, Halswell Library on the corner of Sparks and Halswell Roads, and Christchurch Central Library in Gloucester Street.

Mrs Robertson says the refurbished Spreydon Library will provide customers with a service better tailored to meet their needs.

"The refurbished facility will make available to the community the services and resources of a modern library in a warm, tranquil and relaxed environment. Easy access will be a prerequisite."

She says the new downstairs children’s area will be colourful, versatile and flexible, providing a safe, vibrant environment for children and the library’s popular storytime and babytime programmes.

"A new mezzanine floor will be home to the fiction collection and separate areas for young adults. It will have armchairs and coffee tables, encouraging customers to browse and linger in their library."

Mrs Robertson says for staff, the refurbishment will create a more pleasant and better working environment; more efficient workflows enabling them to deliver a better customer service.

"The refurbished Spreydon Library is designed to promote a strong sense of community."

During the refurbishment, some Spreydon Library staff will temporarily be re-deployed to other libraries within the network.

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