Central Library Tuam closes

Wednesday 30 October 2013

Central Library Tuam will issue its last book on Friday 1 November when it closes to make way for the new Justice and Emergency Services Precinct.

In late January 2014 another temporary library will open at 36 Manchester Street (on the corner of Allen Street) to service the area south of Cathedral Square.

Library users who have borrowed items from Central Library Tuam can return them to any Christchurch City Council library, and from 1 November holds previously placed for pick up at Central Library Tuam will be available from Central Library Peterborough (91 Peterborough Street).

Acting Libraries and Information Unit Manager Andrew Adams said when Central Library Tuam opened in 2012 the Council was unaware the site would be required so soon for the Justice Precinct.

It was a very popular facility with more than 450,000 people through the doors in the last 14 months so we were determined to establish a replacement facility in the CBD. We’re very pleased with the Manchester Street premises which are close to CPIT, buses and South City.

During the shift we will also take the opportunity to consolidate the languages collection at Peterborough Street and the Aotearoa New Zealand Collection will shift to Central Library Manchester Street when it opens in the New Year.

The two temporary libraries at Peterborough and Manchester Streets will house 130,000 items between them and will continue to operate until the new Central Library opens in Cathedral Square.

Construction of the Council-led anchor project is due to start late next year with the New Central Library opening in 2016/2017.