Papanui library’s future

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33932, 27 August 1975, Page 17

Papanui library’s future

A new branch library should be established within the new complex proposed in Papanui. after the demolition of the old Barclay Theatre building, according to the Christchurch City Council’s cultural committee.

The committee recommended on Monday that the housing and property committee be advised that a new Papanui library was an essential part of' the council’s plan for improving the suburban library service.' Because of the possible demolition of the present library, the committee strongly recommended that a library be incorporated in the complex. - The council has already i approved, in principle, a deIvelopment of the suburban 'library service based on the strategic location of fullscale branch libraries and the phasing out of a number of existing voluntarily-run libraries. Papanui was one of the branch locations selected. The library- would serve a heavily-populated area in a part of the city which was not, at present, adequatelyserved. It could attract borrowers from a much wider area than the present librarybecause of longer hours, and

improved service. “Suburban libraries are particularly important in making books available to children, elderly people and young mothers who • find it difficult to visit the central library,” the report said.