New branch library to open at Shirley

Press, 26 May 1981, Page 6

New branch library to open at Shirley

Shirley’s new’ branch library will open on July 1. The buildiong — at the northern end of the Woolworths car park — is finished, and computer equipment for issuing books should arrive from England by the middle of next month, the Christchurch City Council’s cultural committee was told yesterday. Councillors learned , that the Governor-General (Sir David Beattie) had agreed to open the new central city library on February 2. Construction of the $4 million library is on schedule, and the council expect to take possession of the mar-ble-tiled building by midDecember. Lending could start after the January break. Committee members agreed on a way to use the $44,000 estate of Leonard Rathgen, who died early last year, for the Papanui branch library.

Most of the $38,000 left by Mr Rathgen for the building of a branch library would be invested, and the income used to buy library books. Most of the bequest would then be available for capital works if they became necessary. Mr Rathgen wanted the money used to help establish

a branch, but the recently established branch is already using leased premises in a shopping centre. Mr Rathgen also wanted some of his bequest to be used to maintain reference books on botany. Councillors said that $5OO could be spent immediately on books to supplement the existing botany section, and another $5OOO could be invested separately. Income from that could be used to buy more botany books.

Reference Canterbury local bodies will be asked to contribute to the new central city library’s reference section.

Although financed mainly by the City Council, the

Canterbury Public Library carries the province's name, partly because of various legacies left to the library when it was run for many years by the former Canterbury University College. It became the City Council library in 1948. Cr D. C. Close said the reference section had regional importance. He believed that other councils had made some contribution to the section, and the Waimairi County Council still made contributions. Waimairi should be thanked for its contribution, he said, and the other councils should be . given the opportunity to help pay for a service used by their residents. The committee agreed.