Weather aids roof repairs

This month's fine weather has provided the perfect conditions to put a new cap on the Hall of Memories at the Hastings library.

Library manager Paula Murdoch said the roof of the hall had leaked in the past prompting the repair work which was expected to be completed by the end of this week. Further work on the main roof section of the library was expected to begin in February.

The hall is also the library's civic square entrance and faces the Hastings City Art Gallery.

Work on repairing the roof had not affected the public entrance to the library.

"Fixing the roof of the Hall of Memories will give us some certainty that it's going to last into the future. Then we will begin work on the roof over the rest of the library."

Mrs Murdoch said fixing the hall's roof would also ensure the longevity of the significant, 60-year-old painted mural, which stands as a feature in the hall's foyer.

The mural was designed by New Zealand war artist Peter McIntyre in 1952 and honours all branches of the armed forces on sea, land and air. It underwent conservation work in 1993, when the library was redeveloped, and again earlier this year.

"It is programmed for restoration work every few years now. What we are also doing is installing a curtain on the window facing the mural, to protect it from the sun's UV rays and it will also lower the temperature inside the hall."