Technical service grows out of library

Press, 1 July 1986, Page 5

Technical service grows out of library

A lack of space at the Canterbury Public Library will mean that a technical information service must move from the building in order to expand. Plans by the National Library to expand the Scientific and Technical Information Service (Satis) would have required another 30 square metres of floor space. However, the City Librarian, Mr John Stringleman, told the Christchurch City Council’s cultural and public relations committee yesterday that there was not enough space available. The National Library had decided to look for a base elsewhere in Christchurch, he said. The library would have to be extended by iy 2 floors to cater for existing services, excluding Satis, which had grown beyond expectations. “When amalgamation takes place the new council will have to look at expanding the building,” Mr Stringleman said. Although Satis would be in another building it would still use information and services at the library. Mr Stringleman said the move might mean that some Satis users would close their membership and rely on the library’s commerce, science and technical service, which would mean more work for staff.

“If this should happen there could be a need for increased staff in this division,” he said.

Cr David Close said the moving of Satis could lead to inefficiency and duplication at a time when local government reform was aiming to streamline and cut costs. It was hard to believe that the small amount of extra space needed could not be found at the library, he said.