21/08/2018

Assessment continues at Palmerston North Central Library

Ongoing assessment means Palmerston North’s Central Library will have to close its doors again.

While the assessment of the library building is nearing completion, the structural complexities of the project mean the Central Library needs to close on Sunday, August 26 for an uninterrupted day of work.

Debbie Duncan, General Manager - Community for the Palmerston North City Council says the assessment has been complicated by the design and age of the Central Library building.

“To give the assessment crew more time and a safe space to carry out further work, we’ve decided to close the Central Library for a day,” Mrs Duncan says.

Assessment work closed the building for three days at the end of July.

Mrs Duncan says in addressing health and safety considerations, choosing a Sunday to carry out the work was the best option for the assessment crew, while minimising inconvenience for library visitors.

“It’s all part of the assessment process, but we are offsetting the impact on the community as much as possible.”

Alternative arrangements have been made for the day of closure. The Mobile Library will be parked up by the library’s entrance ramp on The Square, cancelling its normal Sunday round.

Youth Space on Coleman Place will be open to everyone from 10am – 4pm, and there will be extra computers available for the day.

People will be able to pick up their holds at Youth Space and return their books there, as well as through the usual returns slots.

“This is an opportunity for our Central Library visitors to familiarise themselves with Youth Space and the Mobile Library,” Mrs Duncan says.

“Public reaction to the three-day closure in July was generally understanding and appreciative of the reasons behind it. We hope they understand the need for us to have a further day of closure to assist with the assessment.”

She is hopeful this will be the last time the library will have to close for the assessment, but won’t rule out a further closure if more work needs to be done.

ends

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