‘Bright, inviting’ Bishopdale a hit

Like having a new library – that’s how Bishopdale Library’s Michelle Karon describes the refurbishment that took place earlier this year (2008).

The building was opened in 1976 by Sir Robert Muldoon, and was last upgraded in 1994. The work went quickly, Michelle says.

We were losed for three weeks – we finished earlier than planned. Basically it was painting the first week, carpet the second week, and we were also changing our layout.

We were trying to create more browsing areas, more relaxing areas where people could just sit and read the newspaper, or read magazines.

It seems to have worked really well. There’s lots more little alcoves to sit and enjoy.

Better browsing experience

Separating the recreational material out has made browsing easier for customers, Michelle says.

We’ve moved all our recreational material to one side and all our information things to the other side. We’ve got all our non-fiction, our reference and things on one side, and magazines, fiction, and paperbacks and magazines on the other.

Customers are enjoying the new environment.

People think it looks really fresh and inviting. It’s given it a real lift. Some of the customers took a while to get used to things changing – it’s like when you go to the supermarket and you can’t find things – but once they find out where things are they’re happy.

From a staff point of view, Michelle says it’s “like having a brand new library”.

It’s so nice to work in. It’s been absolutely fantastic for our customers and our community.

New artwork to be installed

Carver Gavin Britt has created an artwork for the new library which will be unveiled on Friday 25 July at 1:30pm. The public are welcome to attend the ceremony which will start with a karakia and a kapahaka performance.

Career with the library

Michelle is the children’s librarian at Bishopdale, a position she has worked her way towards over several years.

I started as a part-time library assistant at Bishopdale. I moved my way around and am back at Bishopdale as a children’s librarian.

It’s not the only career Michelle has had – after completing university studies, managed a toy shop. She also spent time at many different libraries as she finished her library studies.

When I was doing my training I had to move around a lot of libraries. It was a bit of a longer time – I also did my masters, my MLIS training, at the same time – so that was four years part-time.

Bishopdale has lots of activities for children and including babytimes, storytimes and school visits, as well as a travelling roadshow that involves staff from Papanui, Fendalton and Bishopdale libraries.

We go out as a team and visit our local schools to promote local libraries. Harewood, Cotswold, Isleworth, Papanui, Paparoa Street and all the Fendalton schools – as well as Redwood and Belfast – it’s quite a big area.

The library has a very popular large print collection, and is a busy place that shares its accommodation with the Citizens Advice Bureau and the Bishopdale Community Centre. It is also close to the Bishopdale YMCA.

Getting there

You can get to Bishopdale library on buses 10 and 15. The Bishopdale Mall also has ample bike stands and car parking. The library is closest to the Farrington Avenue entrance.

Interview, July 2008