Did you know when the Council was considering the location for the 1st Shirley Library, the former ‘Shirley School’ building at 10 Shirley Road was an option?
1. Library for Shirley Discussions
2. Shirley Mobile Library Service | Shirley Shops Car Park
3. 1st Shirley Library (1981 – 1996) | Supermarket Car Park
4. 2nd Shirley Library (1996 – Present) | The Palms Car Park
5. 3rd Shirley Library? | Shirley ‘Community’ Reserve?
1. Library for Shirley Discussions
“The City Council’s plans for the expansion of the St Albans Library on property at the back of the present premises were mentioned briefly at the annual meeting of the library last evening…
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/st-albans-libraries/
A request for the establishment of a library in the Shirley district has been received from residents…the council had asked the advice of library authorities on the desirability of building a library there.
The whole question of suburban libraries and the council’s subsidy policy would come under review when the plans for modernising the central library had been carried out.”
Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26168, 19 July 1950, Page 3
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19500719.2.17
‘Suburban Libraries’: “…the proposed establishment of a library at Shirley was being viewed very sympathetically by the Christchurch City Council…”
Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29161, 23 March 1960, Page 8
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19600323.2.65
‘Library Service: Priority For Suburbs’: “A mobile library was one means of providing service in the suburbs, and the council might wish to consider provision of a “bookmobile” rather than to continue to build new libraries.
The “bookmobile” was particularly suited to serving outer areas…”
Press, Volume CV, Issue 31062, 18 May 1966, Page 25
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19660518.2.240
‘Report Critical Of Library Services’: “Because of the uneven development of suburban libraries the city had a cluster of far too densely situated units in the southern suburbs, leaving large areas to the east and north unserved.
Several larger, strategically located district branches supplemented by several smaller neighbourhood service points would fit in well with the Christchurch Development Plan envisaging five district centres and 17 local centres…
Of unserved districts…Richmond, Shirley…One bookmobile would enable service to be given Shirley, Linwood, the Merivale Post Office area, Wainoni and Bryndwr…
The provision of a bookmobile should have priority over any further capital expenditure on suburban library buildings…”
Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31969, 22 April 1969, Page 18
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19690422.2.151
‘Future Policy For Libraries Forecast’: “…there was a need for strong new satellite libraries in areas not already served…
Some of the present suburban libraries were accidents of history, having been inherited from former boroughs which had been amalgamated with the city…
Future policy on location must be considered on a metropolitan basis so that one local body did not site a new library near an existing one…”
Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32725, 30 September 1971, Page 18
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19710930.2.150
‘Letter To Editor: Libraries’: “I heartily endorse Councillor Hay’s recommendation that future policy on location of suburban libraries should be on a metropolitan basis. It is a mistake to build a major library in Bishopdale while there is talk of a properly staffed suburban library being built at Papanui. To put large amounts of public funds into a library at Bishopdale is a case of the blind leading the blind.”
Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32727, 2 October 1971, Page 16
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19711002.2.117.1
‘Christchurch City Council: Library’: “Shirley should have top priority for the Christchurch City Council’s third suburban branch library, councillors said. Linwood and Papanui would be next in line…
In 1969, the council called for a network of five or six branch libraries. So far, the Spreydon and New Brighton branches have been established.
The council’s property division is looking for a suitable building site in the Shirley/Marshland Road area.”
Press, 25 May 1976, Page 6
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19760525.2.35
‘Changes In Mobile Libraries’: “…present demand in Sydenham was slight, and that a new library site would be hard to justify ahead of areas such as Shirley…”
Press, 2 November 1976, Page 7
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19761102.2.61.7
2. Shirley Mobile Library Service | Shirley Shops Car Park
In 1950, “A request for the establishment of a library in the Shirley district has been received from residents.”
In 1960, “the proposed establishment of a library at Shirley was being viewed very sympathetically by the Christchurch City Council.”
In 1969, “Because of the uneven development of suburban libraries the city had a cluster of far too densely situated units in the southern suburbs, leaving large areas to the east and north unserved…Of unserved districts: Richmond, Shirley…”
‘Mobile Library Early Next Year’: “A mobile library service will begin next April or May, the initial service points being Addington, Waltham, Shirley…
Supermarket parking areas were ideal service points…
The most deserving areas and stopping places, seemed to be, Shirley, corner of Marshland and Shirley Roads…”
Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32148, 18 November 1969, Page 18
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19691118.2.137
‘Reasons Given For Use Of Mobile Library’: “A mobile library, which was the quickest way of introducing library service to several areas at once, could not be regarded as a complete substitute for branch service…in reply to a correspondent, ‘Arid Aranui’:
“Would the City Librarian and the City Council say why they provide only a mobile library for the east side of the city, yet can spend money on a new library for Spreydon which already has four other libraries within a mile radius?
There is no public library between Stanmore Road and Shaw Avenue (some four miles). Why the discrimination? Do we not all contribute as ratepayers?
Surely the best method of uplifting a city is through its library.”
Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32254, 24 March 1970, Page 14
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19700324.2.113
‘New Mobile Library Ready’: “The City Librarian said the mobile library would visit areas twice a week where there were no permanent library buildings.
As far as possible it would stop in supermarket parking areas…”
Press, Volume CX, Issue 32307, 27 May 1970, Page 1
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19700527.2.18
3. 1st Shirley Library (1981 – 1996) | Supermarket Car Park
Finally in 1976 (after waiting since 1950), “Shirley should have top priority for the Christchurch City Council’s third suburban branch library…The council’s property division is looking for a suitable building site in the Shirley/Marshland Road area.”
But the 10 Shirley Road site was ruled out as an option for the 1st Shirley Library: as “an old primary school about two blocks away, was considered unsuitable for a branch library because it was too far away from shops and set back from the street.”
This decision by Council in 1977, to not reuse the building for the 1st Shirley Library, on the 10 Shirley Road site (that would become the Shirley ‘Community’ Reserve vested in the Council) with capacity for future growth, would prove costly.
The 1st Shirley Library was built in 1980 & opened in 1981, off Golf Links Road.
Google Maps Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gJeqjjPXmjmUz4ZK8
“Shirley should have top priority for the Christchurch City Council’s third suburban branch library, councillors said. Linwood and Papanui would be next in line…
In 1969, the council called for a network of five or six branch libraries. So far, the Spreydon and New Brighton branches have been established.
The council’s property division is looking for a suitable building site in the Shirley/Marshland Road area.”
Press, 25 May 1976, Page 6
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19760525.2.35
‘Shirley Library Discussed’: “Although the Shirley Primary School might be used as a community centre, it would be the wrong location for an interim library service, the City Council’s cultural committee said yesterday.
Councillors said the mobile library should continue to stop in the shopping district at the intersection of Shirley and Marshland Roads.
A staff report said even a library at the community centre run by volunteers would be out of keeping with the council’s policy of shutting down inadequate services in voluntary libraries in favour of a full suburban service.”
Press, 29 March 1977, Page 6
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19770329.2.60
‘Shirley Community Centre’: “Shirley residents are a step closer to gaining a community centre, according to the Community Centre Society. This prospect came with the Housing Corporation’s decision not to use the old Shirley School site.
“We had been notified that the Housing Corporation wanted the land” said the society’s chairman “However, after discussions with the corporation it agreed to drop its claim to the site.”
He was assured by the Ministry that the site would be handed over to the Minister of Lands for disposal within the next few days…
It would then be possible for the Minister to consider declaring the site a reserve, and leasing it to the Christchurch City Council, which would lease it to the society.”
Press, 19 September 1977, Page 2
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19770919.2.14
‘Election Issues: Drainage, Streets, Parks Contentious In North Ward’: “Provision of community buildings and recreation space is also a subject uniting the views of all parties…
P. N. G. Blaxall (Citizens)…use of the Shirley School as a community centre…
D. F. Caygill (Labour)…A branch library should also be established at Shirley as the next library-building priority.
N. Dodge (Citizens)…a branch library should be built in Shirley.
S. C. Mann (Citizens)…a community centre when the local primary school building in Shirley is no longer needed.”
Press, 28 September 1977, Page 3
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19770928.2.30
‘Shirley Centre Starts With Fair’: Government approval in principle has been given for the old Shirley Primary School to be used as a community centre.
The decision has been greeted with delight by the Shirley Community Centre Society, which has been lobbying for rights to the old school – at the corner of Shirley Road and Slater Street.
The Minister of Lands had said this will allow the land and buildings on the site to be available as a community centre, and the council to delegate day-to-day management to the society.”
Press, 31 October 1977, Page 7
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19771031.2.56
‘Designation Wanted For Shirley Library’: “Because of problems in finding a suitable premises for the proposed Shirley suburban library, the Christchurch City Council may have to designate land for the project. This course was recommended yesterday by the cultural committee, after a suggestion by Cr D. F. Caygill.
He has argued before that the Shirley library is falling behind in capital works plans. Originally, it was scheduled before the now-completed Papanui branch library.
Cr Caygill said the Shirley library could drop further in priority if something was not done to choose a suitable site.
“A designation is the only way out of the dilemma,” he said. “Unless we do that, there is no reason to suppose we will be able to start even in 1982.”
Cr Caygill said he could not now see the Shirley library starting before 1982 because of spending in the meantime on central-city library construction.”
Press, 27 February 1979, Page 6
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19790227.2.47
‘Library Site Opposed’: “A Christchurch City Council proposal to designate two Marshland Road houses for a future suburban branch library has been opposed by the owners of the properties.
However, the owner of one house, Mr G. C. Heazlewood has told a town planning hearing committee that he had always intended to use the site for commercial purposes, when zoning permitted that and would be willing to include room for a library in that development.
It was suggested that the matter should be delayed until after the draft district scheme review is published in December, to see whether it is proposed to change the small pocket of residential zoning next to the Shirley shopping centre to commercial zoning…
Critics of the proposed Marshland Road designation have suggested that a library could be incorporated in any future Woolworths Ltd development on land already vacant. The council, however, has declined Woolworths’ expansion proposals, an issue that will come to appeal next month…
The Shirley Community Centre, in an old primary school about two blocks away, was considered unsuitable for a branch library because it was too far away from shops and set back from the street.”
Press, 20 October 1979, Page 25
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19791020.2.181
“An altered plan for the proposed Shirley branch library might remove opposition to the proposal. Objectors at a Christchurch City Council town planning hearing yesterday indicated that they would be satisfied with a changed siting for the library and five retail shops at 24 and 26 Marshland Road.
Now, the applicant has agreed that the library could front on to Marshland Road. The site now contains two houses and is zoned residential, but the council has changed that designation to allow its use for library purposes in the district scheme review.”
Press, 25 March 1980, Page 6
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19800325.2.53
‘Letter To Editor: Shirley Library’: “As reported in your council notes the Shirley District is still waiting for progress towards a permanent library. May I suggest that the council endeavors to obtain land in the shopping centre at Marshland Road-New Brighton Road where much development is taking place at present?
With the very generous parking facilities being provided by the commercial interests, only a small area of land would be required for a library site, and to the casual observer there seems to be some quite suited to the purpose.
Who knows, one of the developers may be public-spirited enough to give the land.”
Press, 1 March 1979, Page 16
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19790301.2.116.5
‘Thumbs Down For Shirley Shops’: The Christchurch City Council has blocked plans for a significant shopping centre expansion in Shirley.
Part of the Woolworths development between Marshland Road and Golf Links Road would have been in a Residential 1 zone, and car parking for the expected development has already been provided…
In the Shirley hearing, central business district interests had protested about allowing too much expansion of suburban centres at their expense.
The hearing committee said that it was not part of the council’s function to protect established businesses, but added that the city centre’s future health was a community concern.
An expanded shopping centre “would seriously detract from the amenities of the adjoining residential area,” the council said, because of increased traffic.
It would also affect the profitability of other shopping centres in Christchurch.
The district scheme would have to be altered, because the project would extend the commercial zone, and Woolworths had failed to demonstrate exceptional circumstances to justify this.”
Press, 24 April 1979, Page 6
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19790424.2.53
‘Library Site Opposed’: A Christchurch City Council proposal to designate two Marshland Road houses for a future suburban branch library has been opposed by the owners of the properties.
However, the owner of one house, Mr G. C. Heazlewood has told a town planning hearing committee that he had always intended to use the site for commercial purposes, when zoning permitted that and would be willing to include room for a library in that development.
It was suggested that the matter should be delayed until after the draft district scheme review is published in December, to see whether it is proposed to change the small pocket of residential zoning next to the Shirley shopping centre to commercial zoning…
Critics of the proposed Marshland Road designation have suggested that a library could be incorporated in any future Woolworths Ltd development on land already vacant. The council, however, has declined Woolworths’ expansion proposals, an issue that will come to appeal next month…
The Shirley Community Centre, in an old primary school about two blocks away, was considered unsuitable for a branch library because it was too far away from shops and set back from the street.”
Press, 20 October 1979, Page 25
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19791020.2.181
‘Letter To Editor: Supermarket Car Park’: “I am very distressed to read in this morning’s paper that an elderly person had a fatal accident in the Shirley supermarket car park. When the development was taking place we had telephone discussions…and one of the topics was pedestrian access, as we were concerned that the elderly, children, people with prams etc., deserved protected access in the form of clearly marked footways…Considering the large number of shops, and the fact that the car park is the location of the mobile van from the Public Library, I feel that better provisions should have been made.”
Press, 23 October 1979, Page 20
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19791023.2.107.6
‘Library Plan Altered’: An altered plan for the proposed Shirley branch library might remove opposition to the proposal. Objectors at a Christchurch City Council town planning hearing yesterday indicated that they would be satisfied with a changed siting for the library and five retail shops at 24 and 26 Marshland Road.
The original plan, calling for shops in front and a library at the back, had been opposed by Woolworths (NZ) Ltd, the Canterbury Savings Bank, and a nearby resident.
Now, the applicant has agreed that the library could front on to Marshland Road.
The site now contains two houses and is zoned residential, but the council has changed that designation to allow its use for library purposes in the district scheme review. Because of the site’s size, there is room for the shops.
Construction of those shops would make the library a more economic proposition for the applicant, Mr G. C. Heazlwood.”
Press, 25 March 1980, Page 6
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19800325.2.53
‘Go Ahead For Shirley Library’: The Christchurch City Council’s cultural committee has decided to recommend to the full council that it go ahead with the new Shirley library in spite of its commitment to the building cost of the central library…
The total cost of the Shirley library, which will be in leased premises in the Shirley shopping centre in Marshland Road is estimated at $86,807, made up of capital costs of $37,000 and running costs…
The cultural committee, however, reaffirmed its commitment to proceed with the library; members said that it was difficult to get such a convenient site in a commercial area and that they should not pass up the opportunity.
If the council accepts the committee’s recommendation, the new library could be ready in November this year.”
Press, 29 April 1980, Page 6
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19800429.2.55
‘Funds For Libraries’: “The Christchurch City Council has yet to adopt the recommendation of its cultural committee to go ahead with the new Shirley library…
The central government has, after all, shown in the past that cultural expenses can be an early casualty in difficult times. All times are difficult to some degree, and a case could always be made for standing still…
It is not the way of the Christchurch City Council to fail to consider a worth-while project just because the funds for it are hard to find. The Shirley library comes into this class.
If the council were concerned only to shelter its ratepayers, some notable facilities would be wanting in the city today.
Vital as the new central library may be, the local, suburban services must be given a high rating. They are an essential extension of the central library’s service to readers of all kinds and it is to be hoped that the full council will endorse the committee’s recommendation in the interests of a fuller service.”
Press, 5 May 1980, Page 18
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19800505.2.108
‘Library Site Approved’: “The future Shirley branch library will probably be in Golf Links Road, but no public access to the site will be allowed from that street.
A right-of-way easement should be sought from Marshland Road to the property, the Christchurch City Council agreed last evening.
Nearby residents have objected to designation of the site on 27 Golf Links Road for library purposes because of concern that the public might use their street to approach the library.
But the council said that a ‘substantial locked gate’ should be built to enforce the access ban from that side of the future library.
The land is owned by Mr G. C. Heazlewood, who will build the library and lease it to the council.”
Press, 16 December 1980, Page 6
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19801216.2.46
‘Car-park Plan Opposed’: “A developer’s scheme to create more car-parks in the Shirley shopping centre was not justified on planning grounds…
Mr G. C. Hazelwood wants to provide 22 parking spaces in a Golf Links Road residential zone just north of the new Shirley branch library building.
That parking would be associated with his proposed commercial development at 24 and 26 Marshland Road. There is not enough room on that site for both the commercial buildings and 38 parking spaces required by the district scheme.
Mr Hazelwood said the extra car-parking and landscaping would give the library building a more open outlook and was welcomed by the Canterbury Public Library…
An existing Golf Links Road right of way would be closed to traffic.
A senior planning officer, said the new suburban library had been permitted closer than usual to a commercial boundary to allow more yard space beside the residential site, which would be used for parking under the proposal. The library building was to have acted as a buffer between commercial and residential uses.”
Press, 26 June 1981, Page 4
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19810626.2.38
Shirley Library [1st] opened in July 1981 on a site now covered by The Palms.
– As the library grew the City Council purchased two flats in Golf Links Road and leased one of them to the library to be used for storage and a staff room.
– Later a Portacom was used.
– The library was given a repaint and recarpet in 1993.
– But by 1995 a new building was underway on a different site next to the developing Palms Mall.
https://heritage.christchurchcitylibraries.com/Archives/52/Library150/Articles/ShirleyLibrary/
‘Library Service On The Cheap No Longer’: “Ratepayers would pay more for City Council library services in coming years because the city had lagged behind other centres in library spending, said the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr Hamish Hay) at the weekend when officially opening the new Shirley branch library…
The tragedy for city ratepayers, said Mr Hay, was that the library service cost was not being shared equitably by all people who used the libraries, particularly those who lived outside the City Council area…
The Shirley library is the fourth of five planned full-scale branch facilities.”
Press, 24 August 1981, Page 6
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19810824.2.52
‘Shirley Shops Win Approval’: “In a reserved decision, the tribunal has allowed an appeal by Mr G. C. Heazlewood to erect two retail shops and a bank at 24 and 26 Marshland Road and a car-park at 29 Golf Links Road, next to the Shirley Shopping Centre…
The Planning Tribunal had been told that the City Council objected to the proposal because the land at 29 Golf Links Road was zoned Residential 1, and putting a car-park on it was contrary to the zoning restrictions.
The appellant had pointed out to the tribunal that City Council officers, particularly those associated with the land purchase and the library activities, were aware of Mr Heazlewood’s proposals.
Mr Heazlewood had built a library on land adjoining No 29, and had leased this to the Christchurch City Council…”Indeed, the council’s Deputy City Librarian, supports the appellant’s proposal and has done so at all times. She considers the proposal to establish No 29 as a properly landscaped car-park is more desirable for the library than to have the site developed for residential purposes.””
Press, 12 November 1981, Page 4
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19811112.2.36
‘Local Body Candidates: Eight In North Ward Race’: “Establishment of the Shirley Library, the Richmond Neighbourhood Cottage…achievements in the North Ward during the last council term.”
Press, 21 September 1983, Page 20
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19830921.2.93
‘Christchurch City Electoral Rolls’: “Shirley Library, Golf Links Road (Shirley Supermarket car park).”
Press, 2 July 1986, Page 60
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19860702.2.203.1
‘Branches, Mobile Library’: “Besides the central library in Gloucester Street, the Canterbury Public Library runs four full-time and two part-time branches and a mobile library, and supports 11 volunteer libraries. The four full-time branches operate as extensions of the central library and are staffed by professionals…
Volunteer libraries are a legacy of the past…In the past, a system of rotating books from the central library to the volunteer libraries has provided reading material.
The Canterbury Public Library is reviewing its relationship with the volunteer libraries.”
Press, 24 June 1987, Page 21
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19870624.2.110.4
‘Extended Hours For Library’: “The Shirley library is already open from 10a.m. to noon on Saturdays but will stay open until 1p.m. The hours of the branches during the week have also changed slightly.”
Press, 24 July 1987, Page 5
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19870724.2.51
‘Christchurch City Council Raising Of Shirley Library Loan 1988’: “The purpose of the said loan is for the purchase of the Shirley Library property.
The amount of loan is $510,000. The maximum term for which the said loan or any part thereof may be borrowed shall be 25 years.”
Press, 19 October 1988, Page 48
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19881019.2.159.3
$4.5M Loans Approved’: “A loan of $510,000 for buying the Shirley Library property was also approved. The council at present leases the library building.”
Press, 23 November 1988, Page 33
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19881123.2.137
‘Local Body Candidates: Christchurch City-Burwood’: “Don Rowlands (Independent Labour): I would bring to the council six years experience as a Labour city councillor…During my term as chairman of the community services committee, I was instrumental in establishing the Shirley Library…”
Press, 2 October 1989, Page 42
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19891002.2.145
‘More Centres to Open’: “Two more services centres for Christchurch City will be opened on November 27.
Serving the Shirley-Papanui area…will be next to the library in the Shirley mall…”
Press, 31 October 1989, Page 6
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19891031.2.45
4. 2nd Shirley Library (1996 – Present) | The Palms Car Park
The 2nd Shirley Library was built in 1995 & opened in January 1996, on Marshland Road.
Google Maps Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/EA5o9hYXdfJ33NPc6
In January 29 1996 the new library opened in a purpose-built building shared with the Christchurch City Council Shirley Service Centre.
– The building included a boardroom for the community board.
– The library publication Bookmark published information in its March 1996 issue (Page 2): “The new library, which more than doubles the previous library, features an activities room for class visits, story times, senior citizens guest speaker programmes and other activities. The building, designed by Ian Krause Architects Ltd and built by Fletcher Construction, was provided by the developers of the new Shirley Shopping Centre – to be know as The Palms – to allow for expansion of the shopping centre and carpark over the previous library and service centre land.
The Christchurch City Council provided the fit out costs for the building.”
– “Severe damage was caused by a fire on the night of 20 April…
The damage was so bad that the building had to be completely gutted and the roof replaced, along with some of the structural beams.
The air conditioning unit, sprinkler systems, electrical systems, data cabling, walls, furniture and stock had to be completely replaced.”
“Use of the ‘St Albans [Edgeware] Public Library’ having decreased as the City Council’s library services expanded, the decision was made reluctantly to close the voluntary library on 29th November 1997…
Appropriate book stock was transferred to the Canterbury Public Library, much of it going directly to the Shirley Community Library to help replace stock lost in their disastrous fire of April 1997.”
https://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Collections/Archives/Inventories/Arch0059.pdf
– The library reopened on Saturday 31 January 1998 with extended opening hours, including Saturdays 10am-1pm.
– The layout of the library was changed with the community board’s meeting room being located to New Brighton and the kitchen and staff room moved to the east end of the building.
https://heritage.christchurchcitylibraries.com/Archives/52/Library150/Articles/ShirleyLibrary/
‘Community Board moves to New Brighton’ | 23 May 2003
https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0305/S00125/community-board-moves-to-new-brighton.htm
The Burwood/Pegasus Community Board will officially open its new boardroom in New Brighton on Monday 26 May 2003.
“The Community Board is delighted to find a home in New Brighton.
Exciting plans for the revitalisation of New Brighton are in place and the Board’s presence is a positive injection of faith in the future of the area.
A centrally located boardroom also makes the Board more accessible to Burwood/Pegasus residents and community groups.”
Community Board chairperson Don Rowlands
The Community Board vacated its boardroom at the Shirley Service Centre in August 2001 to provide additional space for the Council’s area staff.
In 2011, the Shirley Library was closed for many months after the Canterbury Earthquakes, due to its proximity to the car parking building in The Palms mall.
https://www.canterburystories.nz/collections/community/ginahubert/ccl-cs-22611
‘Brief Closure Heralds Service Boost for Shirley Library and Service Centre’ | 9 March 2020
https://www.newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/draft-brief-closure-heralds-service-boost-for-shirley-library-and-service-centre
The Shirley Library and Service Centre will close this month for a six-week upgrade before reopening as an integrated community hub providing extra services.
The library and service centre – next to The Palms shopping centre – will close from Monday, 23 March to allow for a building upgrade under the Christchurch City Council’s 10-year refurbishment programme.
The update includes improved security cameras, new floor coverings, internal painting and changes to the layout.
The centre will reopen on Thursday, 30 April, with new postal and bill-paying services – along with Metro cards – available at the site.
Council Head of Libraries and Information Carolyn Robertson says the Shirley Library is an integral part of community life in the area.
“Shirley Library offers so much – from information to free internet access, and an amazing array of books and other items for all ages, along with communal spaces to support stronger community connections,” Ms Robertson says. “However, the building is due for an upgrade to ensure that we effectively maintain those core services and improve the environment.
The actual floor space allocated to the Shirley Library has decreased since the building was built (Service Centre use to be on the right side of the Entrance) & is less than half of the current building.
The Service Centre & NZ Post are now included in the Library Area (left side of the Entrance) & the Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board Governance Team are also located in this building (right side of the Entrance).
Floor Plan: https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/SouthLibraryReport03.jpg
5. 3rd Shirley Library? | Shirley ‘Community’ Reserve?
From 1997 to 2011, the former school building (Council owned) at 10 Shirley Road (Shirley ‘Community’ Reserve) could have been the 1st Shirley Library (with room to grow) plus space available for the community groups (that would later use the Shirley Community Centre) to share the extra rooms.
Instead, residents had to wait until 1981 for the 1st Shirley Library to open (Council leased, but bought the building in 1998).
When “the library grew the City Council purchased two flats in Golf Links Road and leased one of them to the library to be used for storage and a staff room, later a Portacom was used…But by 1995 a new building was underway on a different site next to the developing Palms Mall.”
Back in 2018, when I suggested ‘relocating the Shirley Library’ to Shirley Road:
“Shirley resident Joanna Gould has come up with a plan to push for a new joint library, learning centre, service centre, playground and playcentre at the former community centre site. She has written a submission to the council’s LTP and created a website to detail the plans.
She says the existing library building at The Palms could be sold to the mall owners and the library should be incorporated in a new centre.
“Each day as I pass 10 Shirley Rd, it is a constant visual reminder to me and the locals/road users of Shirley Rd, that our community has been left behind, we haven’t rebuilt from the earthquakes.”
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/christchurchs-forgotten-suburb/
I thought at the time, surely someone else has already seen the potential in this site at 10 Shirley Road…
I was glad to find the newspaper article, but disappointed to see their reasons for ruling out this site as the 1st Shirley Library.
“considered unsuitable for a branch library because it was:
– too far away from shops
– set back from the street.”
Press, 20 October 1979, Page 25
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19791020.2.181
Since 2012, the Shirley ‘Community’ Reserve has been a blank slate.
– This site is no longer “too far away from shops”, now it is central to all the shopping areas in the surrounding communities of Shirley, Dallington, Richmond, Edgeware, St Albans & Mairehau.
– A new building can be located closer towards Shirley Road, with views from Chancellor & Slater Streets.
In 2016, the Shirley Community Centre Site Selection process highlighted:
“Good access with road frontages to Chancellor Street, Slater Street & Shirley Road.”
Christchurch City Council Memo, 1 December 2016, Pages 72-73
https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2016/12/PICB_20161209_AGN_1197_AT.PDF
The current Shirley Library is located in The Palms Mall car park, hidden behind The Palms car parking building & barely visible from Marshland Road.
The 36 Marshland Road building does not align with the Christchurch Libraries 2025 Facilities Plan: ‘Location Preferences & Building Requirements’ [Page 10]:
https://christchurchcitylibraries.com/2025/Libraries2025FacilitiesPlan.pdf
– Proposed under the 2008 Plan: Optimise partnership and/or co-location opportunities with retail development at The Palms to relocate and upgrade the Shirley Library. [Page 4]
– Halswell, Belfast, New Brighton and Shirley suburbs are identified a key activity centres for business and community which aligns with the planning for new and retention of libraries in these areas. [Page 16]
– Participate in on-going Council/ECan planning with mall owners in Shirley, with a view to possible relocation and upgrade of this library as a suburban library. [Page 30]
– Priority driver for Shirley Library (2008):
Growth/need. Retail development impacted by growth. Opportunity for service improvement.
– Priority driver for Shirley Library (2014):
Growth/need. Supporting the projected increases in residential growth in the north east. [Page 40]
The 2021 ‘ReVision Youth Friendly Spaces: Shirley Library’ Report highlighted the issues with the current library.
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/shirley-youth-audits/
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/youth-audit-shirley-library/
In the financial year 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023, Shirley Library (200 Capacity) had 353,186 visitors, the second highest after Tūranga, the city centre library.
Yet it has limited floor space, amenities & resources available for residents.
Since 1916, this location at 10 Shirley Road/Shirley ‘Community’ Reserve, has been ‘a place of learning’ within in our communities.
George Penlington’s building stood the test of time from 1915 to 2011.
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/original-building/
Now in 2025, I think it would be fitting to build the 3rd Shirley Library on Shirley Road, in the Shirley ‘Community’ Reserve…not in another car park.
– St Albans Library became St Albans Community Centre:
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/st-albans-libraries/
– Shirley Community Centre could become Shirley Library:
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/shirley-centre-what/