Librarian says books may have to be stored

Press, 1 December 1988, Page 7

Librarian says books may have to be stored

The Canterbury Public Library is running out of space. The city librarian, Mrs Dorothea Brown, wants a feasibility study done on solutions to space problems at the Gloucester Street central library. The Christchurch City Council’s cultural and community services committee yesterday supported her call for the study by council architects. Mrs Brown suggested that some of the lesserused stacks might have to be stored outside the library to provide accessible space for well-used books. She doubted the answer was to add an extra floor to the building because while the extension of an extra floor and a half would' meet the present need it would not meet that of 10 years time. A structural addition was an expensive solution

that would not necessarily be a long-term solution, she said. Mrs Brown sought the study to investigate better use of existing space and possible alternatives to storing stock. Local body reform would put greater pressures on the library, Mrs Brown said. It might also turn up some extra space in libraries in other parts of the city. Cr Clive Cotton acknowledged the need for improving the central library but questioned the priority of the work when Linwood did not have its own branch library. He called for a report by Mrs Brown on priorities for library services for the whole city (after amalgamation). Cr Carole Evans said parking for library users and staff should also be investigated.