Plans underway for new library and service centre at Linwood

Friday 15 February 2013

Christchurch City Council has signed a three-year lease on a space in Eastgate Shopping Centre which it plans to transform into a new temporary library and service centre.

The 1200 square metre space is on the first floor of the shopping centre. Now that the lease is signed, library staff will begin fitting out the space, with the new facility, called Linwood Library and Service Centre at Eastgate, expected to open in the next two months.

Unit Manager Libraries and Information Carolyn Robertson says staff are thrilled to be planning another library and service centre. There has been a strong desire among residents for more comprehensive library and service centre services in this area since the earthquakes so we’re really excited to be able to confirm this project will be going ahead in a well-known community hub such as Eastgate Shopping Centre, Mrs Robertson says.

We’ll be starting fit out of the new library and service centre space immediately and will keep residents informed once we have a confirmed opening date.

Mayor Bob Parker says, This is another creative solution that perfectly illustrates the nature of post-earthquake Christchurch. I’m sure this announcement will be heartening news for many families on the eastern side of the city.

Eastgate Shopping Centre Manager Joanna Hollander says having a major tenant such as the Linwood Library and Service Centre is an excellent asset for Eastgate. We are very much looking forward to welcoming the library and service centre staff, and its users, to the shopping centre.

Linwood Library in Cranley Street has been closed since it was damaged in the 22 February 2011 earthquake. It was damaged further during a fire on the site. The Council closed Linwood Service Centre at 180 Smith Street last year after a Detailed Engineering Evaluation (DEE) assessment showed it was below 34 per cent of the New Building Standard.

The new temporary library will house the 50,000 item collection that was held at the Linwood Library in Cranley Street before it closed. It will open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm. The new temporary customer service centre will open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays.

Investigations continue into the future of the closed Linwood Library in Cranley Street and the Linwood Service Centre in Smith Street. This includes carrying out full damage assessments for insurance purposes. Options for a combined library, service centre and community facility in Linwood are also being explored. A combined facility is one of the Council’s top 30 projects that in September last year were prioritised for funding, further investigations and, where possible, repairs.

Until the new temporary library and service centre opens, Linwood Mini Library and a temporary Linwood Service Centre remain open at 180 Smith Street. The mini library is open on weekdays from 9am to 5pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm. The temporary service centre is open from 9am to 5pm.