Spreydon residents favour rebuilding the Spreydon Library in Barrington Street, but are closely followed by those who favour putting a new library in the nearby mall.

This emerges from submissions to the Spreydon-Heathcote Community Board following a public meeting on the replacement of the present library.

More than 150 submissions were received and 62 of them favoured a new purpose-built library behind the present building. However, 55 wanted the library placed in the Barrington Mall.

Nearly 20 were not in favour of relocating to the mall but did not indicate they wanted a new building erected.

The community advocate at the Beckenham Service Centre, Nick Chapman, says the matter will go before the board again in November.

Consideration of expanding the library was first mooted in 1993 and plans were moved forward in 1996 and since then many options have been considered.

The Christchurch City Council narrowed the options down to four as being the most practical for "achieving its library service delivery objectives."

The options were a single-storey addition at the rear of the library; demolition of the library and replacing it with a new, single, storey-level library at the rear of the present site; demolition of the library and replaced with a two-storey building in the same position; and moving into the mall.

Submissions closed on 22 October and followed a public meeting on 11 October.

Cr Carole Anderton has been critical of rebuilding further in the park, as it will mean the removal of trees in the park, which were donated in 1924.

Further information:

Nick Chapman, community advocate 337 4508.