Recent Developments
By the late 1960s it was obvious that the library could not continue on its present site, although some temporary accommodation was achieved with the addition of a mezzanine floor in 1970 and a prefabricated annex in 1975. In 1974 a site was chosen on the corner of Gloucester Street and Oxford Terrace, and Messrs Warren and Mahoney chosen as architects. The next seven years saw the planning and development of this new home, with Charles Luney as the builder. The new building was opened to the public on 12 January 1982.
By the 1960s the adjoining local bodies of Waimairi District Council and Paparua County Council had also established professional library services, and these, with the central and community libraries, formed the new Canterbury Public Library network following local government reorganisation in 1989.
Canterbury Public Library celebrated 50 years of unity with the Christchurch City Council in October 1998. To mark the occasion, the library held a number of events, including a parade for information literacy in which over 700 people from various organisations, schools and community groups participated.
In July 2000 Canterbury Public Library adopted a new name, Christchurch City Libraries. A new brand and logo were also launched to reflect the new name and the increasing range of services offered.
In March 2006 Christchurch City amalgamated with the Banks Peninsula District and the four Banks Peninsula libraries (Akaroa, Diamond Harbour, Little River and Lyttelton) became part of Christchurch City Libraries.
The Central library has been closed since the 22 February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, with the building located in the cordoned red zone and the fate of the building itself not yet known. On 19 December 2011, a new temporary library was opened in 87-91 Peterborough Street.
Read more about this topic: Christchurch City Libraries
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