Public libraries are crucial, as Christchurch knows and Wellington must embrace

Monday, 13 May 2019

EDITORIAL: Wellington Central Library has been closed due to earthquake risks. Whether the flagship building in Te Ngākau Civic Square can be repaired or must be rebuilt will turn on engineering and accounting advice. Ultimately, political decisions will also be needed.

But Wellington still needs a large, flagship library in the central city – even now, at the dawn of the digital age and even though e-books have been with us for almost two decades.

Brick-and-mortar public libraries have critically important educational, cultural and civic roles. They are shining beacons of knowledge, they are civilisation in four dimensions.

They are the continuation of public schooling, the places the nation can educate itself after high school.

**READ MORE:

* Reminders of why libraries matter

* Thousands visit Christchurch's new $92m central library

* Heart of Wellington now Te Ngākau Civic Square**

These have been demonstrated in Christchurch. The new central library, Tūranga, opened in October 2018 to acclaim. The former National Government demolished a smaller central library and rebuilt on Cathedral Square. Moving the library was inspired and put knowledge at the heart of the city.

The city council largely funded the $92 million building, which has architectural merit. 

More important than location or design is what happens inside.  

​Tūranga is not just for books. Like all good libraries, it lends music, videos and magazines. It includes audio-visual studios and production studios with laser cutters and 3-D printers. There are rooms for meetings, studying and quiet. There are art gallery spaces and computer labs. There are collections of rare books and other taonga. 

Ngāi Tahu representatives called it a 'storehouse of knowledge'. 

Tūranga includes Imagination Station, a children's play space brimming with Lego and Duplo bricks and other toys. It's a charitable organisation and – like the private sector cafe on the ground floor – demonstrates that libraries can accommodate many services and ownerships.

Yes, the computers will be swept away soon enough, replaced by better, flashier technology. Libraries can accommodate the upgrades. Modern libraries are built with this in mind. 

Every New Zealand city and town should have a public library at its heart. Just last week, Ashburton committed to a $51.6m combined library and civic centre at the heart of the community. 

One of the pleasures of the Christchurch rebuild has been the return of small community libraries in suburbs such as Redcliffs. It's run entirely by volunteers.  

In Johnsonville, the library is being expanded and connected to a wider community hub called Waitohi.

So yes, Wellington must have a big public library, in Civic Square. The location is central and connected to the waterfront. 

There will be setbacks. Some may call to abandon the public library, others may wish to lower ambitions, citing cost and technology. Pop-up library services are helpful, but should not be considered anything but short-term fixes. 

These twists and turns must be resisted. In the years ahead, Wellington must be staunch about its central public library.

When Wellington Public Library returns – whether repaired or rebuilt better – it will have been worth the wait. Christchurch knows this.

Meanwhile, there's a potentially useful precedent from the southern city. Central government kicked in millions of dollars to deal with earthquake damage to the old central library.

Over to you, Beehive.