Waimate District Library Set to Reopen

After weeks of flood-related disruption, the Waimate District Library is set to reopen early next week (Tuesday 9 March 2021).

Following significant flooding damage at the beginning of this year, the Library, along with the main Council building, was unable to reopen and has remained closed since 3 January.

In recent weeks, new flooring has been installed in the Library and minor repair work has been complete, though despite the closure, Library users have been able to revert to the digital services available to them and hold on to overdue books through the interim.

Commenting on the reopening, Community & Strategy Group Manager Carolyn Johns says both she and the Library team, are looking forward to having the Library back open - acknowledging the community patience and understanding during its closure.

“We know a lot of people have missed not having the Library available, so it’s going to be great for our team to welcome everyone back,” Johns said.

“Hundreds of books have been taken off shelves and shelving units have been moved to make way for the carpet, and following that, the reverse has taken place . . . so there’s been a lot of work to arrive back to this point.”

Waimate District Mayor Craig Rowley will be on hand to cut the ribbon, with the doors officially open from 10am.

Councillors and members of the community have all been invited.

While the Library has remained shut, staff have been working on developing and bringing new initiatives to the Library, with plans to be revealed next week and the days that follow.

The adjoining Local Government Council building will remain closed to the public until further notice.

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