Gore decision looms: Re-roof or relocate?

The future of two Southland libraries is being considered after both were found to have asbestos and mould.

The Gore District Council will decide in the coming weeks whether to redesign and re-roof the building, rebuild, or relocate the Gore District Library. Asbestos and mould found in the building earlier this year was not as bad as first thought.

Gore District Council chief executive Steve Parry said councillors had attended a workshop about the library and were considering ‘‘what a modern library service looks like’’.

The library closed in May amid health concerns. Council staff and volunteers spent two weeks moving it to a new venue at the James Cumming Wing, where it is expected to stay for months.

‘‘The feedback we’re getting is that people quite like the new location and consequently that has to be taken into consideration as well,’’ Parry said.

He said the council was in no hurry to make a decision, and it would be considered in three to four weeks’ time.

‘‘We’re doing an analysis of some new builds around the country in communities the same size as ours. It’s been a fascinating process,’’ he said.

‘‘Libraries are now far more interactive facilities. When I was a kid they were places of reverential silence with officious people behind a counter ready to berate you if your book was a day or two late. Now they’re very programme driven and people don’t just visit a library to get out books.’’

Parry said it was important the new library service, wherever it was located, was fit for purpose and future-proofed.

The Southland District Council’s library at Winton was moved to the RSA Hall earlier this year after a discovery of asbestos and black mould.

A spokesperson said the council was finalising the necessary reports and there was no update at this stage.