25 June 2013

Wellsford Library opening celebration draws crowds

More than 2500 people dropped into Wellsford’s new library in its first week and many joined in the opening celebrations on Saturday.

The new library is five times the size of the original building and, as well as having more library items on the shelves and more computers, it offers a meeting room for public use, a spacious children’s area and is home to the local genealogy group.

Rodney Local Board Chairman Bob Howard and Rodney Ward Councillor Penny Webster invited the library’s longest serving volunteer Phil Goodman and a young library member Lincoln Clapham, to join them in officially opening the library on Saturday morning (22 June).

“The local board is proud that we have been able to get behind the building of this library and ensure that it brings the best possible range of services to Wellsford,” says Mr Howard.

“We acknowledge the work of our predecessors in providing a vision for a new library in Wellsford and have done all we can to ensure it is well-equipped and modern.”

The opening ceremony was followed by a community concert featuring local singers, dancers and musicians, and special guest Ladi6.

Groups from the wider Wellsford community had stalls, activities and demonstrations, while the Rodney Local Board provided a free sausage sizzle and hot soup.

Auckland Council Manager Libraries and Information Allison Dobbie says: “This new library is bigger, brighter and better. With more facilities, more computers and 4,000 new books on the shelves, I can see the Wellsford Library becoming the heart of this community.

“In its first week, the number of people through the doors was double what we would expect in the old library, while we had a record 60 children at Friday’s story time session,” she says.

Mr Howard says the community celebration topped off a special week in Wellsford, which started with a dawn blessing of the new building on Monday 17 June.

“We began the week with mana whenua and welcoming the new name of the library: Wellsford War Memorial Library, Te Whare Pukapuka o Wakapirau He Tohu Whakamaharatanga Ki Nga Pakanga.

“We ended it with an uplifting celebration of local talent and an opportunity to see the new library in action. We thank everyone involved for making this day a success,” he says.

ENDS

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