Friday 17 January 2014
Central Library Manchester opens
Inner city library services in Christchurch received a boost when Central Library Manchester opens on Monday 20 January.
The new temporary library at 36 Manchester Street (on the corner of Allen Street) replaces Central Library Tuam which
closed in November to make way for the Justice and Emergency Services Precinct.
Libraries and Information Manager Carolyn Robertson says of all the city libraries Central Library Tuam was the third
busiest in terms of visitor numbers and it was important to maintain library services south of Cathedral Square to cater
for inner city workers, residents and visitors.
“It means people can pop out in their lunch hour to pick up a book or CD, or tag a trip to the library onto the end of a
shopping trip or classes at nearby CPIT.
“The opening of Central Library Manchester allows us to consolidate Local and Family History material in one location
which makes it easier for genealogists and others carrying out historical research. In the past researchers sometimes
had to visit both Peterborough and Tuam Street libraries to find the information they needed.”
Manchester Central Library will also display topographical maps from the Aotearoa New Zealand collection that have been
in storage since the earthquakes and were previously popular with hunters and trampers.
The two temporary central libraries in Manchester and Peterborough Streets will continue to serve the inner city until
the New Central Library opens in Cathedral Square in 2017.
Over the next few months residents and library users will get the chance to have a say about the sorts of services they
would like the New Central Library to offer, Ms Robertson says.
“We want to create a truly inspirational place that Christchurch people feel is “theirs” and to do this we need their
input. We’ll have displays in suburban libraries and there will be opportunities for feedback on the Christchurch City
Libraries website too.”
Services are also being extended in the city’s eastern suburbs with Linwood Library at Eastgate set to open on Sundays
from2 February.
ENDS