Spreydon Library to close for three-month refurbishment

26 July 2007

Spreydon Library will close for three months at the end of next month to undergo a major refurbishment.

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

"Spreydon Library will close at the end of business on 31 August 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.

Spreydon Library customers will have access to the network of Christchurch City Libraries, the closest to Spreydon 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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