Waimakariri invests in its libraries
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
While libraries around the country are facing cuts, a Canterbury council is considering expanding its main library and extending its operating hours.
Waimakariri's council is reviewing opening hours, including increasing Sunday hours, and the Kaiapoi, Rangiora and Oxford libraries are investing in new technologies.
This is in contrast to libraries in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, which are facing budget cuts as councils look to curb huge rates increases.
The Waimakariri District Council is proposing an average rates rise of 8.94%, while other councils are considering rates hikes of more than 10%.
Expansion plans are in the pipeline in Waimakariri's 2024-34 long-term plan to support a growing population.
The council will be consulting on whether to build a second building alongside the existing Trevor Inch Memorial Library in Rangiora, earmarked for the 2027-28 financial year.
Community and recreation manager Chris Brown said a new single-storey, 1345m2 library building would cost $16.8 million.
A second option was constructing a two-storey building, with the library on the ground floor and office space for council staff upstairs, which would cost about $30m.
‘‘We have council staff working in leased office spaces in the town, so we need to ask the community whether they prefer us to be supporting local businesses, or bringing our staff back into a council-owned building,’’ Brown said.
Waimakariri District Libraries manager Paula Eskett said extending Sunday opening hours were first looked at pre-Covid.
At present the Rangiora and Kaiapoi libraries are open from 1pm to 4pm on Sundays.
‘‘Traditionally Sunday hours were set around church time, but community members are saying they want to be in there on Sunday mornings.’’
Staff were considering extending the weekday closing time from 5pm to 6pm, and dropping the weekly late night at 7pm.
The libraries have upgraded their self-issue kiosks to make issuing books simpler, with the new kiosks just like ‘‘supermarket self-checkouts’’.
The Rangiora Library is also trialling a new digital smart shelf, which instantly scans the books when they are returned.
New technologies are being explored to offer learning experiences.
The three libraries hosted the Antarctic Heritage Trust’s virtual reality experience, featuring Sir Edmund Hillary’s Antarctic hut, over the summer, with nearly 300 people visiting over six days.
‘‘With the virtual reality experience, we had people who were in the 70s and 90s, so we had grandparents and kids using it at the same time,’’ discovery and digital co-ordinator Ciaran Findlay said.
The library was increasing gaming and craft technologies (‘‘Makerspace’’) initiatives to provide social and learning opportunities, he said.
Mayor Dan Gordon said libraries are bustling with events, technology to explore, and spaces to work or relax, and connect with friends.
‘‘The best thing about the libraries is how well they cater for residents regardless of age or background.
‘‘Staff often see grandparents with their grandchildren, particularly in the school holidays and there is something to keep everyone amused and entertained.
‘‘This is something truly special, and it’s worth the investment to ensure these connections continue to flourish.’’
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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A reminder this hunting season
As thousands of hunters are making their plans for autumn – the Roar – recreational firearms groups are urging hunters to always be 100% sure of their targets.
Te Tari Pureke - Firearms Safety Authority NZ, which chairs the Recreational Firearms Users Group, has begun a public information campaign reminding hunters everywhere of Rule #4 of the Firearms Safety Code: to identify their target beyond all doubt.
Director Communities and Corporate, Mike McIlraith, says there is an estimated 50,000-60,000 New Zealanders involved in big game animal hunting each year, and the Roar is the key event for many hunters each year.
“The Roar is a fantastic time of year for hunters to get out into the hills after a trophy animal but hunting safely and making sure everyone gets home in one piece, still must be the most important goal of every trip,” says Mike McIlraith.
“The consequences of not fully identifying your target beyond all doubt can be catastrophic. Our message to hunters is a really simple one: If you are not sure, then don’t shoot.”
Mike McIlraith says while hunting fatalities are thankfully rare, research has shown that misidentification of the target is the largest firearms related risk to New Zealand deer hunters, and 80% of the time this involves members of the same hunting group.
The Authority says hunters should not feel pressured to take a shot: “Instead, hunters should take the time to analyse their target, wait and see if it is a hind or stag, how old is the animal, how many points does its antlers have? Identifying your target means never firing at sound, shape, colour or movement alone.”
Mike McIlraith says good hunters will slow down, and run through some simple mental checks:
- Can I see the whole animal, or could this be another hunter?
- Where are my hunting companions – could this be them or someone else?
- How much of the animal can you see, if it is a hind or stag, how old is the animal, how - many points does its antlers have?
“Taking a little extra time to identify your target and check the firing zone is the key to safer hunting. No meat or no trophy is better than no mate,” he says.
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