Napier Library to close this week, reopening at MTG in February

Napier Library will close its doors for the last time this Friday, ahead of its reopening in a temporary location, MTG Hawke's Bay.

Packing is well under way at Napier Library, which closes at noon this Friday in preparation for its reopening in a temporary location, MTG Hawke's Bay, on February 7, 2018.

The temporary library will be accessed mainly through the Century Theatre Foyer steps on Herschell St, however, it can also be accessed through the main entrance of MTG, on Tennyson St.

A new ramp is being constructed to ensure the library entrance is pushchair and wheelchair friendly.

Taradale Library will operate as usual during the period the city library is unavailable, being closed only on statutory holidays.

"We have increased the number of books available at Taradale Library and these extra items include all of the current newspapers, best-sellers, and best-seller magazines," said Darran Gillies, Napier Library manager.

The heritage collection, auto manuals, and maps will still be available for borrowing
and can be reserved either on site at Taradale or via the Napier Libraries website from January 8.

Borrowers will be contacted when the item is available to be collected, from Taradale Library only.

From February 7, items from all library collections will be available to reserve, and will be able to be collected from either library within two working days of the request.

Other changes related to Napier Library include: extended loan periods for items until this Friday, fees to reserve items being removed, and book drop off points being established at MTG Hawke's Bay, Kennedy Park Resort, National Aquarium of New Zealand, and Pak 'n' Save Tamatea.

Opening hours for Napier Library from February are proposed to be 9.30am to 5pm, seven days a week, and are likely to be confirmed at this afternoon's last Napier City Council meeting for the year.

Taradale Library's hours will increase, opening from 9.30am to 5.30pm weekdays, and weekends from 10am to 4pm.

NCC began making plans to shift staff out of the Library and Civic buildings into alternative city offices after a seismic strength report into the current Napier Library building found it to achieve just 15 per cent of New Building Standards, with the Civic Building rated 10 per cent.

Investigations into the viability and cost of refurbishing and strengthening the buildings continue. Library staff are the last to be relocated from the library building. Civic building staff will complete their relocation today.

For more information, and to view the Frequently Asked Questions, go to the news section of www.napierlibrary.co.nz

Any queries or for further assistance regarding the reserve process, email info@napierlibrary.co.nz or call Taradale Library on 845 9005.

Updates and further news about Napier Library will also be posted regularly on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NapierLibraries/

Dates to remember:
Friday December 22: Napier Library closes its doors as 12 noon

Thursday January 8: Heritage collection, auto manuals and maps able to be reserved either on site at Taradale Library or via the Napier Libraries website. Items to be collected from Taradale Library.

Wednesday February 7, 2018: Napier Library reopens at MTG Hawke's Bay. All items will be available to reserve, and can be collected from either library within two working days of the request.