Woolston library to seek support

Press, 7 June 1982, Page 4

Woolston library to seek support

The Woolston Public Library committee is adamant that the library will continue, in. spite of Christchurch City Council plans to reduce financial support. The committee says that it will start a fund-raising campaign to “maintain our presence and effectiveness in the community." The cultural committee of the City Council last week recommended that the council should no longer support the library because of its falling membership. The expense of improving the exterior of the former Woolston Borough Council • building, which houses the library, was not warrented, councillors decided.

The council had said that the building did not comply with earthquake regulations but could be brought up to standard for $5OOO, said the secretary of the library committee, Mr Jack Holt. “The facts are that the building is structurally sound but needs redecorating externally.” he said. Mr Holt said that the front of the building needed a facelift to attract “favourable attention similar to that of'the new city library.” Although the library's membership showed a small drop last year.it had been rising steadily for the last five years, he. said. Young readers were being catered

for. “We are, to our knowledge the only suburban library in the lasi few years that has organised a children’s competition in order to gain new members,” he said. Last year's City Council subsidy of $1275 had been spent on new books. Book rentals had been kept at a level to “suit members" and keep the library financial. “The only money worries ' we have is. to maintain the building, which is owned by the City Council," said Mr Holt. The library, which was staffed by 16 volunteers, “provided the sole public cultural amenity in the ' township of Woolston.” he ;.said. y.