New self-service library for Whanganui East
Whanganui District Library will open Whanganui's first suburban self-service library in Whanganui East on Wednesday, 23 January 2019, in partnership with the Whanganui Advocacy and Support Trust (WAST) community centre.
The new Hakeke Street Library will be situated at 65 Hakeke Street, in part of the former New Zealand Railways complex that also houses Love and Learn Care and Education. There will be a collection of around 2000 adult and children's fiction and non-fiction books, with a focus on the most popular titles and free wifi internet access will be available. The library will be self-service, but WAST staff will be able to provide basic assistance for library members during opening hours (9.00am – 1.00pm weekdays, except Wednesdays). Libraries and Community Manager Pete Gray says,
“No one should be excluded from the library by distance or cost and through this partnership the library will build deeper connections into our community.
“As far as we know, the suburban self-service library is a new model for New Zealand.”
This is the first of several self-service libraries planned for the city. Whanganui District Library would like to hear from any organisations who are interested in hosting a selfservice library in other suburbs.
Mr Gray says, “We want the community to feel it's their space and look after it. It's not a Council space; rather, it's the Council putting something into a space that is there for the community.”