MEDIA RELEASE

18 January 2019

Construction has begun on a new library facility for the Masterton community.

Masterton District Council is developing the Library Learning Centre – Te Puna Ako on the vacant site next to the library in Queen Street.

The centre will be an extension of the existing library constructed from four relocatable building units.

It will enable more people to take part in popular programmes and activities such as 3D printing and design, laser and vinyl cutting, coding, Lego and Minecraft groups and support the introduction of new programmes.

Community Facilities and Activities Manager, Andrea Jackson, says the start of construction is an exciting milestone.

“Our current whare pukapuka is bursting at the seams and we have to limit the number of people that can take part in some of our popular programmes because we simply don’t have the space,” Ms Jackson said.

Masterton District Council has committed $5 million for a new library building with the project expected to kick off in 2020/21.

The Library Learning Centre will serve as a proof of concept for programmes and services proposed for this facility.

“The Library Learning Centre – Te Puna Ako will also enable us to test demand for some new ideas that we have in mind as well as increasing the level of service we currently provide our community,” Ms Jackson said.

“We’re also pleased to have Fab Lab partnering with us on this project.”

The Library Learning Centre – Te Puna Ako is expected to open to the public in March 2019.

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