CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL MEDIA RELEASE
14 December 2009
To: The Chief Reporter
From: CCC Communication Team

Fendalton Library looks for consent to operate on Sundays

A resource consent application has been lodged with the Christchurch City Council to enable Fendalton Library to operate on Sundays between 10am and 4pm. The library is unable to open on Sundays under the existing resource consent.

By opening on Sundays, Christchurch City Libraries is looking to maximise the value of the Fendalton library facility as a strategic asset and to provide an equitable distribution of seven day access across the city. A gap in service was identified in the Libraries 2025 Facilities Plan which was approved by Council in 2008.

“Our goal is to ensure maximum value from this large busy facility by offering the community better access to services through longer opening hours, particularly as a local indoor leisure destination on Sunday,” says Carolyn Robertson, Manager Libraries and Information.

Public libraries are vital community focal points which contribute to the social and cultural well-being of their communities. They provide a social, recreational and learning space, contributing to literacy and lifelong learning, fostering cultural identity and social cohesion and helping to narrow the digital divide, says Ms Robertson.

The application was publicly notified on 12 December 2009. Any person or organisation may make a submission to the Council on the proposal. Submissions will close on 12 February 2010.

The quality of decision-making will be considerably enhanced by input from the community affected by the proposal and Christchurch City Council welcomes your submission.

ENDS

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