Books on move to temporary premises

NEW CHAPTER: Jill Kosmala, knowledge services librarian at the Alexander Library, is getting ready to load up and help move tonnes of reference material to its temporary home. PHOTO/BEVAN CONLEY

The Alexander Library, which is home to masses of Wanganui's heritage and history, is turning over a new leaf and shifting to temporary premises.

The move is necessary to clear the Queen's Park building so that $750,000 worth of earthquake-strengthening work can be carried out.

The library is the second of the Wanganui District Council buildings to be brought up to building standards and the restructuring is due to begin in November and be completed by April next year.

It means the library's collection will be moved to a temporary home in the old Post Office building in Ridgway St.

Building is due to begin in November, but the Alexander will close for up to two months from tomorrow. The last public event to be held in the library will be the book sale from 10am-2pm on Saturday.

Gillian Tasker, heritage services leader at the library, said a team of volunteers would work with staff and heritage partners, including Whanganui Regional Heritage Trust and the local branch of the NZ Society of Genealogists, to pack the collections ready to relocate to Ridgway St.

Ms Tasker said the plan was to reopen in the new location by Monday, November 2 but she said if the shift went smoothly the Alexander could be up and running earlier.

"We want to ensure our community continues to be able to access our Whanganui heritage and stories," she said.

"We're excited to be able to continue offering our comprehensive research service to anyone seeking information on local history, family history or Whanganui's heritage buildings in the downtown space."

Ms Tasker said anyone needing research services or information during the time the library was temporarily closed should email library staff at Heritage@wanganuilibrary.com or phone (06) 349 1000.