Cost rules out longer library hours

Press, 28 January 1986, Page 25

Cost rules out longer library hours

A committee of the Christchurch City Council has decided against opening the Canterbury Public Library for an extra hour on Saturdays because it would cost $16,800 a year.

At present it costs $43,200 a year to open the library from 10 a.m. to midday on Saturdays.

The council’s cultural and public relations committee has decided against an extension of Saturday hours. The City Librarian, Mr John Stringleman, reported that there had been no significant public pressure for longer Saturday hours. When the Wellington Library extended

its hours, it found that people spread their use of the library rather than increased it.

Although the library was open to the public for two hours staff had to work for three hours to tidy up after Friday evenings, Mr Stringleman said.

Costs were $350 for each extra hour .on Saturdays. Staff were happy working one Saturday in six, he said. Cr Alex Clark had asked about the extension of library hours because the information centre and other facilities were opening longer. Computer The library’s computerised system, delayed be-

cause of software problems, will be the subject of a report to the council later this month, in open meeting. The council has previously discussed in committee the failure of the Christchurch software firm, Adata, to provide a working stage one circulation system.

Because of recent publicity about the termination of the council’s contract with Adata and the sale of hardware, councillors yesterday called for a report. They had so far felt constrained to comment because the matter had been discussed only in committee, they said.