Popularity problem at Kaiapoi library

Press, 3 July 1985, Page 7

Popularity problem at Kaiapoi library

Kaiapoi’s new library has been so popular that all the books in some children’s sections have been lent out. The Kaiapoi Borough Council’s library committee was told on Monday that the library had been “cleaned out” of picture books and pre-school readers. An extra 80 books were bought during the month, at a cost of $6OO, to help meet the demand. The committee’s chairman, Cr Peggy Wade, said the library was now a more attractive place for families to go to and take young children. The new library has attracted 178 new members in May and June, taking the total membership to 3694. About 2000 more books were issued during June than in the corresponding month last year. An extra $l2O was taken in revenue at the library last month compared with June, 1984. Town square A competition to generate ideas for the proposed town square in Kaiapoi might be held by the council. The Mayor, Mr Howard Cumberland, suggested that schools and other community groups might be able to come up with good ideas for the design of the square. “We want to get the feel-

ings of the people,” he said. The square will be developed on the site of the old library at the corner of Williams Street and Raven Quay. Cr Garry Cattermole suggested the band rotunda could be moved to the square. Its present position was “out of the way” and bands were reluctant to use it. The structure was classified by the Historic Places

Trust and could be given a new lease of life if moved and “done up” properly, he said. Cr Margaret Cleland said the rotunda might be too big for the square. Tenders will be called soon for demolition of the old library building. Councillors will first inspect the building and make up a list of items that could be sold privately.