12 December 2016

Media Release

Palmerston North’s Library of the Future – Revitalisation Project

Design details are currently being finalised for a major revitalisation of Palmerston North’s Central Library. The project known as The Library of the Future is due to commence late in 2017.

“The Library of the Future will be a place for everyone, designed to reflect the increasing diversity and needs of our community,” says Palmerston North City Council’s General Manager – Libraries and Community Services Debbie Duncan.

“People will be able to engage and connect with knowledge, ideas and each other through some wonderful spaces, the latest technology and ambience. Libraries are no longer just about books - they are also about people and the experiences they can provide for their community.”

Over 10 million visitors have stepped through Palmerston North’s Central Library since it opened in 1996.

“It continues to remain at the forefront of community services and is the city’s most visited community facility,” says Mrs Duncan. “However, the nature of the services provided has changed in line with community needs. The bold new design of the City’s Living Room will meet our community’s needs in today’s environment and for the next generation of users. We are excited about the services and facilities we will be able to offer our visitors at the end of the redevelopment.”

Athfield Architects the original designers of the building have developed a concept design following extensive consultation with users, stakeholders and staff.

The redevelopment will provide welcoming spaces for the community to learn, make, perform and connect; as well as providing an environment to protect, curate and display the city’s archives and other collections.

“The new design continues to respect the integrity of the building, its history and heritage status while also recognising it as the anchor of the city’s cultural hub; and the role it plays in contributing to a vibrant city centre.”

Key elements of the project are:

· A ground floor entrance, café and events space will be created in the area previously tenanted by the Public Trust. This area will feature tiered seating and enable direct connections to the Square, the library’s mezzanine floor and George Street via an internal laneway;

· A “village green” space on the mezzanine floor will accommodate digital technology for accessing global news and provide a community area for groups to showcase their services;

· The current events space on the ground floor will be re-modelled as a Makerspace to create a space where people can experiment with new technologies, make videos, create music and attend related programmes and events. An entrance and ‘shop front’ to George Street will be developed to provide greater linkage at street level;

· The archives area on the ground floor will be extended and re-modelled to accommodate compact shelving for storage of community and Council archives. A separate secure archives reading room will be created on the second floor;

· The children’s discovery library will be extended and developed to make it more suited to the delivery of literacy and creative programmes for children;

· Provision of a digital technology lab on the first floor for groups and individuals;

· Installation of improved LED lighting, and electrical and data capability;

· Painting and re-carpeting of heavily used areas of the library; and replacement of shelving in the children’s library.

Future-proofing the building for technology building maintenance, including essential roof repairs, to ensure safety and security of all users will also be carried out during the building project.

The Palmerston North City Council’s website has a page dedicated to the building project - www.pncc.govt.nz/projects

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