CHILDREN’S LIBRARY

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28606, 7 June 1958, Page 4

CHILDREN’S LIBRARY

Plans For Upper Riccarton A small, contemporary-styled children’s library is to be built at Church Corner, Upper Riccarton, as a memorial to Sir John McKenzie. In less than five years the children’s branch of the Upper Riccarton Memorial Library has grown into the busiest in Christchurch. The 15 children’s branches of the Canterbury public Library between them issue about 22,000 books a year-r-yet fropQ one small crowded rOom>in the Riccarton Horary 14,000 books were distributed last year, 'niis room, which is open to the children as their library on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 2.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., is. also used during the week by the Municipal Electricity Department, a city bank, and the Riccarton branch of the Plunket SocietyA women’s committee of 20 volunteers, under the chairmanship of Mrs E. J. Fazackerley, a founder member, runs the library. “Our membership changes a bit, as some of the Women decide they are going to have another baby, but we still have eight of the original members on after four years and a half—which is pretty good for a women’s organisation,” said Mrs Fazackerley. Aid From Trust The library receives assistance from the J. R. McKenzie Trust and a grant of £2O a year from the Waimairi County Council. The Sockburn County Town Committee of the Paparua County Council last month proposed recommending a grant from Paparua funds, but is delaying action until it has learnt more about the library’s management. For some months the Riccarton Rotary Club has been raising money for a £3600 building for the children’s library, and now has about £2OOO in hand. Plans have been drawn and a site obtained by the pensipners’ cottages on the south side of the Main South road at Church Comer. \ The new building will be of steel, brick and concrete block construction, with an aluminium roof. The front is of glass, with double ! glass doors opening on to a concrete terrace. “We have had a good response from Riccarton firms,” said Mr A. C. Rhodes, chairman of the club committee sponsoring the project. “We have had many gifts of materials, have had other supplies below cost, and have a team of volunteers standing by.” Work will begin on Saturday, June 21, when, if the weather is fine, the Rotarians will' begin clearing the section ready for building. The architect is Mr G. D. Griffiths.