No Library Police here!

Parklands

The final stop on our Christchurch adventure was Parklands.

Parklands is a converted Church in a what a appeared to be a well off residential area. It is modern building don't think stone & steeple, and the front windows have been modified to give it a similar look to the other/newer sites.

Parklands has a consistent theme throughout, there is a lovely cafe out onto a contained garden and arriving after storytime a number of mums have spilled out into the garden for a coffee and a chat while their children play in the garden.

Less books than other sites but still quite a lot for the space (see previous posts regarding requirements for book holdings) fun and funky, small but vibrant. Well signposted and easy to navigate.

The only downside is an IT training room, not getting the usage it could be as it is closed off then there is not a session being run. If training were stacked on certain days the space could potenitially be opened up as an internet cafe (perhaps Fri-Sun)

New Brighton

Following Shirley we visited the very striking New Brighton Library.

Very striking view and beautiful building. Not a purpose buit library and it felt quite cluttered but lthere were ots of little nooks and casual seating, taking in the panoramic views.

Shirley

What unexpected place to find the library. Shirley library has had a shopping centre and multi-storey car park grow up around it and as an outsider you don't even know it is there until you are upon it but for regular shoppers it is very convenient.

Outside it is fairly non descript but it has nice clear signage, obviously lots of convenient parking, and inside is a very vibrant space.

A circular desk, as most of the branches have had, along one wall and here too a Council customer service desk.

A great feeling of space throughout and lots of little nooks to sit and read or chat.

Take me riding in your car car

On Thursday we had the honour and luxury of been given a guided tour of 3 more of Christchurch's lovely libraries. A big thanks to the Places & Spaces team for being so welcoming and putting their precious time & energy into me!

Even cooler (library cool not normal person cool) we got to see their funky library mobiles.....think "bat mobile" not "mobile library"

South Library

We taxi'd straight over from from Spreydon to South, spookily the furniture colours were similar to those we had for Altona North, it gave us a homely feeling!

The building is striking from the outside and again highlights are the real integration of the outside environment and bringing the green in. As seems to be Chirstchurch's theme the building was long and rectangular, with a cafe and a spacious reading area.

To me the shelving felt quite industrial for the space, looking back at my pics it has been the same everywhere but it feels it here, not sure why.

The building was multi use hosting a learning centre and a Council customer service desk offering residents a "one stop shop" for Council and Community services.

A fantastic addition to the outside is the striking moat, chessboard in the courtyard and external artwork. Only sad thing was that it was a VERY quiet night, an hour from closing and only a handful of customers.