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Central Library Building
The search for a suitable site for the new central library extended over several years and it was only after prolonged negotiations and considerable goodwill on the part of the previous owners that the site of approximately Section 0.2 ha on the corner of Oxford Terrace and Gloucester Street was secured. Overlooking the Avon River and the Provincial Council Buildings, yet only a minute's walk from Cathedral Square, the building is ideally sited for library purposes.
The building consists of four storeys with a floor area of 6000 sq metres. The ground, first and second floors which are linked by an escalator house all the public activities on an open plan principle.
The exterior of the building is faced with Nelson marble tiles, and meranti timber has been used extensively in the interior. Originally, banners designed by the Christchurch artist Quentin MacFarlane were suspended in the light-well over the escalator. The building is double-glazed and fully air-conditioned. Additions were completed in 1997. A further one and a half floors were added. Further alterations took place in 2001.
Messrs Warren and Mahoney were the architects and C S Luney Limited the principal contractor for the original portion of the library. The Governor-General, Hon. Sir David Beattie, GCMG GCVO, QC, officially opened the building on 2 February 1982.
In 2000 Canterbury Public Library changed its name to Christchurch City Libraries.
More information
- Canterbury Public Library to 1982
- Canterbury Public Library opening - This booklet was published to celebrate the opening of the new library building in 1982.
Related pages
Sources
This was originally derived from the Christchurch City Council handbook of 1998.
