Media Release 19 January 2006
State-of-the-art library facility opens this Monday
New Zealand's first joint-use urban community and school library opens in Christchurch on Monday (January 23, 2006) at
9am.
The state-of-the-art Upper Riccarton Community and School Library (71 Main South Road) has been built by the
Christchurch City Council in partnership with Riccarton High School, and was designed as an integrated community and
educational learning, information and leisure facility. It serves the Riccarton, Avonhead, Ilam, Sockburn, Wharenui,
Wigram and Riccarton High School communities.
"The council's partnership with Riccarton High School has enabled us to create a facility where through the sharing of
resources, learning facilities and expertise we have provided the community with better facilities and delivered a more
cost-effective service, at the same time promoting lifelong learning," said Nicki Moen, Manager - Community Libraries,
Christchurch City Libraries.
The library will house a book and audio-visual collection of 50,000 items, providing facilities for residents and
students to study, access information and use the latest communication technology.
In addition, Nicki Moen said with the cafe's indoor-outdoor seating, and comfortable lounge furniture being peppered
throughout the facility, Upper Riccarton will quickly become a place for the local community, where they can take time
out to relax, read, meet friends and chat over coffee or spend time with their family learning and having fun.
Designed by award-winning Christchurch architectural firm, Warren and Mahoney, the library boosts the latest
energy-efficient and environmentally friendly innovations, including an electronic weather station to monitor
temperatures and track heat and light.
Low-energy lighting systems on daylight sensors will reduce demand for electricity, while automatic window openers will
control air flow and temperature, and automated lourves, at the front of the building, will track the sun to reduce
overheating in summer and provide winter warmth. This will be aided by concrete internal walls, insulation and double
glazing.
The library has also been designed to conserve water consumption, including the collection of rain water from the roof
to flush toilets.
Christchurch Mayor Garry Moore will officially open the Upper Riccarton Community and School Library as part of a
community celebration gala day on Saturday, February 25.
ENDS