A library redevelopment in Feilding started construction in 2022. However, the project started long before that, says Adie Johansen, Community Services Manager, Manawatū District Council. The new library space opened on July 22.
Since 2014, we have been journeying to liven our library services and embody ‘Libraries as community hubs’. The redevelopment and earthquake strengthening sought to modernise and expand the spaces to increase opportunities. We added meeting and event spaces, a public kitchen, a space for youth, a café, tiered seating, and a mezzanine floor, as well as updated shelving systems and break-out spaces and technology to activate spaces and allow further access. We have become Manawatū Community Hub Libraries, and our facility is called Te Āhuru Mōwai, meaning a safe haven for our community to be in, learn in and thrive in.
It would be hard to suggest that this redevelopment has one unique element. For instance, elements of the cultural narrative are woven throughout the facility in various textures, including wood panels, window manifestations, and meeting room names.
We are the first in the country to provide after-hours self-service access to full library services and meeting rooms. Open Plus is an extension to staffed hours up to 11pm daily and 9:30am – 11pm on Sundays and Public Holidays for library services and we are using Gallagher system to allow access to the meeting rooms.
The four meeting spaces, with capacities ranging from 4 to 146, are a crucial part of the design. They serve as a bridge, bringing businesses, classes, and professionals into the services offered by the Manawatū Community Hub Libraries. The onsite café further enhances the informal gathering space, addressing the lack of meeting spaces in our district.
Since 2014, we have been journeying to liven our library services and embody ‘Libraries as community hubs’. The redevelopment and earthquake strengthening sought to modernise and expand the spaces to increase opportunities. We added meeting and event spaces, a public kitchen, a space for youth, a café, tiered seating, and a mezzanine floor, as well as updated shelving systems and break-out spaces and technology to activate spaces and allow further access. We have become Manawatū Community Hub Libraries, and our facility is called Te Āhuru Mōwai, meaning a safe haven for our community to be in, learn in and thrive in.
It would be hard to suggest that this redevelopment has one unique element. For instance, elements of the cultural narrative are woven throughout the facility in various textures, including wood panels, window manifestations, and meeting room names.
We are the first in the country to provide after-hours self-service access to full library services and meeting rooms. Open Plus is an extension to staffed hours up to 11pm daily and 9:30am – 11pm on Sundays and Public Holidays for library services and we are using Gallagher system to allow access to the meeting rooms.
The four meeting spaces, with capacities ranging from 4 to 146, are a crucial part of the design. They serve as a bridge, bringing businesses, classes, and professionals into the services offered by the Manawatū Community Hub Libraries. The onsite café further enhances the informal gathering space, addressing the lack of meeting spaces in our district.
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Open Plus, is a free membership add-on that provides after-hours self-service access to Manawatū Community Hub Libraries (MCHL) extending our staff hours to 11pm, and open on Sundays and Public Holidays – ensuring community connection is met. We believe we are the first library in New Zealand to do this.
As part of the overall landscape plan for Te Āhuru Mōwai, a bird corridor is being planted between the new facility and carpark. Bird corridors are a specific trail of plantings that help birds fly from different sections of native trees throughout the district.
One thing I’ve learned while building and designing this new library is that if you are redeveloping an existing space, do as much invasive investigation as you can beforehand to minimise considerable variations, especially when earthquake strengthening. Go as big as you can—if you build it, they will come.
Our 2014 Section 17A report started our journey to modernise and expand services. Our Strategic Framework 2017-2022 actions included maximising space, and we included a libraries investigation in our Community Facilities Strategy. Community consultation occurred numerous times. By the time this article comes out, we will only have opened, and we will have achieved our four goals.
Redeveloping your library or building a new one is such an incredible thing for your community. Finding third-party funding is complex and lengthy, but there are places you can apply to, and every little bit helps. Not every community member sees the value and investment in a library, let alone a large-scale redevelopment. Use those conversations and comments to educate the community and motivate your employees to share the services, the value and the connection that the work done in a library or community facility brings to those in the area it services.
As part of the overall landscape plan for Te Āhuru Mōwai, a bird corridor is being planted between the new facility and carpark. Bird corridors are a specific trail of plantings that help birds fly from different sections of native trees throughout the district.
One thing I’ve learned while building and designing this new library is that if you are redeveloping an existing space, do as much invasive investigation as you can beforehand to minimise considerable variations, especially when earthquake strengthening. Go as big as you can—if you build it, they will come.
Our 2014 Section 17A report started our journey to modernise and expand services. Our Strategic Framework 2017-2022 actions included maximising space, and we included a libraries investigation in our Community Facilities Strategy. Community consultation occurred numerous times. By the time this article comes out, we will only have opened, and we will have achieved our four goals.
Redeveloping your library or building a new one is such an incredible thing for your community. Finding third-party funding is complex and lengthy, but there are places you can apply to, and every little bit helps. Not every community member sees the value and investment in a library, let alone a large-scale redevelopment. Use those conversations and comments to educate the community and motivate your employees to share the services, the value and the connection that the work done in a library or community facility brings to those in the area it services.
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Image credit Kevin Bills Medi.
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