Please visit our Library News page for links to recent news, library events and media releases. Our customer alerts page has information on any short-notice or planned maintenance events that may affect the services that we offer to our customers.
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22 February 2011 at 11:14 pm
Much love to everyone in Christchurch, and their families around NZ. To everyone who is helping with the rescue effort – thank you. All you volunteers and emergency workers are amazing.
23 February 2011 at 12:06 pm
Here here!
23 February 2011 at 10:38 am
To my friends and former colleagues at Christchurch City Libraries: I hope you are safe. Would be very grateful if someone could post an update on the libraries and staff here.
23 February 2011 at 4:25 pm
I work at Central Library and can tell you that the Central Library was evacuated straight after the earthquake yesterday. To my knowledge, staff and customers in the building were all OK.
24 February 2011 at 8:11 pm
Dear all,
we are glad to read that you are all fine so far and did not get hurt during the earthquake. We feel with you and this is why we posted something about you and our former colleague, Cornelia Oehler on our site on http://www.facebook.com/stadtbibliothek.dormagen
If you, Cornelia, read this, please answer!
Good luck to all and liebe Grüße aus Deutschland!
2 March 2011 at 9:40 pm
I work with Cornelia and will certainly get her to look at this.
we were together when the earthquake hit and I know she is fine but like all of us very shaken.
24 February 2011 at 7:34 pm
Be strong be safe. Our thoughts and hearts go out to you all.
On behalf of the staff at Tuakau library
24 February 2011 at 8:13 pm
I hope all my friends and former colleagues and indeed all the the CCL staff are safe and well. Kia kaha people!
25 February 2011 at 11:32 am
Hi Tom. As far as we know all staff are safe. You’ll be pleased to hear that Lyttelton Library stood up reasonably well and no-one was hurt. Thanks everyone for your messages. Richard
25 February 2011 at 1:55 am
I’ve been watching events with horror from the UK. News coverage here has been excellent, but I feel so far away. I do hope all of you are safe. Look after yourselves.
Love
Roger
25 February 2011 at 11:50 am
I keep thinking of you dear Chch people, and returning here. I’ve never been to the Chch libraries but yours is my favourite blog.
For others: the LIANZA (professional org for library people) website is giving updates about Chch people and has one from yesterday:
http://www.lianza.org.nz/blog/2011/feb/22/our-thoughts-go-out-people-christchurch
25 February 2011 at 7:56 pm
thinking of you all – was horrifed to see one view of central lib on tuesday. Kia Kaha
25 February 2011 at 11:41 pm
My thoughts are with all my former colleagues and friends at Christchurch City Libraries and CCC. I hope you’re all safe, your families and friends are safe, and you’re managing to take good care of yourselves. Such a sad and shocking time. Andy (in the UK) x
25 February 2011 at 11:44 pm
With you in spirit. It will take years to rebuild your city, your lives and your businesses. We so much enjoyed Christchurch library and the facilities offered on our travels in New Zealand. We hope that you will be able to rebuild and rejoyce. Stay safe.
26 February 2011 at 8:43 am
What a shock Tuesday was. My thoughts are with you all. Keep safe!
26 February 2011 at 1:17 pm
To our dear friends at the Christchurch libraries – both customers and staff. We are thinking of you constantly. Stay strong. Kia kaha from Grey Lynn, Auckland xxx
26 February 2011 at 9:47 pm
Stay safe – so glad to hear from you. Thinking of you here.
Genevieve (Melbourne, Oz)
27 February 2011 at 12:59 am
Very relieved to hear that my former CCL colleagues are ok. My heart goes out to you and your families. Wishing you all the strength you need to get through these difficult times. Guy S. (Belgium)
28 February 2011 at 12:16 pm
Am thinking of all my friends and former colleagues at CCL. Hoping you and your families and friends are safe and well. Such a devastating and sad time but I know Christchurch will be strong and vibrant again. Arohanui Fiona xoxo
6 March 2011 at 10:37 pm
Hey Fiona
Where are you living now? I was hoping you were not back in South Brighton. We are all ok but living in a state of anxiety.
Love from Linda, Shelver, Spreydon Library
7 March 2011 at 9:25 am
Linda – how are you and how is your family doing? Have you been able to check in at Spreydon yet? Let me know your home email and I will get in touch. In Wellington for last 18 months. Take care – Fiona
10 March 2011 at 11:24 pm
Hey Fiona
My email address is
linda.bullimore@gmail.com. Would love to hear from you. So over the aftershocks!
28 February 2011 at 2:50 pm
Like others, I’m watching from afar and heartbroken to see Christchurch suffer such devastation. Thinking of you all, esp library friends and former colleagues – hoping your libraries are ok as well as your homes too. Take care, Karen.xx.
28 February 2011 at 9:16 pm
I can’t believe this has happened to our beautiful city. Hope everyone is coping and staying safe. My Mum went to go try pay a bill at the Papanui library/City council, and she said it’s horrible, me and her go there every thursday to get books and enjoy the atmosphere and it’s so sad seeing it in that state.
28 February 2011 at 10:21 pm
Our hearts go out to the people of Christchurch and our friends there. We were privelaged to spend 6 months in that beautiful city and surrounds. We absolutely love that city and spent many hours at the well-equiped and friendly libraries. We continue to watch for the latest updates and continue to pray for all. God bless and be strong. Love, the Erasmus family, South Africa
1 March 2011 at 10:52 am
Hoping all staff are safe! Just seeing if there is any indication when one of the libraries may reopen?
Kind regards
1 March 2011 at 11:01 am
I’m hoping all former colleagues at Christchurch City Libraries are safe and that you and your families are together.
2 March 2011 at 9:43 pm
how lovely to hear from former colleagues and friends! The silver lining in between all the sadness.
1 March 2011 at 3:42 pm
Best wishes for a speedy recovery, CCC staff, family and friends. You do great work. Kia ora
2 March 2011 at 12:25 am
I used to be a shelver at central library – left about a year ago. Will be back in Christchurch on the 7th of March. I’d be very happy to work as a volunteer to get books back on the shelves or whatever. Let me know if you need somebody to help out.
Emily.
2 March 2011 at 1:09 am
I loved working at the Christchurch Central Library during my 2007 stay as a Fulbright Senior Scholar. What a wonderful resource, and what a great bunch of librarians. The library was the most culturally and intellectually diverse civic location that I encountered in Christchurch. I’m relieved to hear that everyone is ok. I hope the collections are safe and well also.
2 March 2011 at 2:35 pm
Dear Chch Central Library,
As a regular customer I will miss you sorely until you are up and running again.
I wish you all well and will keep an eye out for when I can come help restack shelves!
All the best,
Marilyn
2 March 2011 at 2:57 pm
Thanks Marilyn!
3 March 2011 at 10:06 am
im glad no one was hurt in the libaries
cant wait till one of the libaries opens that closer to home then akaroa
4 March 2011 at 9:58 am
Just wanted to post a BIG “ups” to all the other libraries in NZ who are looking after our customers while they are not in our city. We are looking forward to seeing you all back here asap!
4 March 2011 at 1:17 pm
Hear hear. Great job being done!
6 March 2011 at 7:35 am
I was at the Linwood Library when the feb 22nd quake hit. I had my 5 year old autistic son with me – he was on th kids computers while I was having a quick look on the express internet computer. Thanks to the very brave and quick thinking action of one of the staff there my son lived. The ceeling was falling down (I was hit on the head a number of times) and books and shelves were flying so it was so hard to see. Every one was running for the doors but I was screaming trying to get to my son on the other side of the library. A staff member got the just before me and had my son in her arms trying to get out. You cant imagine how it felt to see him safe. We all went out side and after about 5 minutes a staff member (the same one I think) over heard my wee man crying for his teddy – it’s a special one from scotland that you cant get any more and he takes it every where including bed. She actually risked her life to go back in and get it. I will be forever greatfull to that staff memember as not only did she save his life but she saved his teddy – not many people would do that. I hope she reads this so she knows how greatfull I am
7 March 2011 at 11:42 am
[...] The Christchurch City Libraries blog has up-to-date information on Library services for Christchurch residents. [...]
7 March 2011 at 1:27 pm
Hi there
Just letting you know that Hurunui Libraries is also offering free membership and services for CCL borrowers / residents. We have free APNK internet at 5 libraries (Amberley, Culverden, Cheviot, Hawarden and Hanmer Springs) and wifi at Amberley and Hanmer Sprngs.
We are also accepting returns of CCL books for delivery back to CCL once you are ready for them.
cheers
Justine
7 March 2011 at 1:36 pm
Thanks for letting us know Justine
9 March 2011 at 3:21 pm
I’m glad all the librarians are safe. Libraries are my “homes” away from home – can’t go past one without going in and I’d be very happy to help with the tidy up. So if you need extra hands to sort, dust, shelve, whatever, please let me know.
Stay safe!
19 March 2011 at 10:09 am
I am living in Redwood and I miss my Redwood library. I have noticed that it got a green sticker a few weeks ago. It would be so nice to see it open again quickly. Can you give me any idea when it will be open ?
19 March 2011 at 11:06 am
Hi John. We’re all missing our local libraries – and the staff are very keen to get them up and running again! We don’t have official word yet, but we hope it will be soon. We will update you here on the blog as soon as we have the word. I know it’s a trek, but Bishopdale is open until 1pm today if you have a need to read
23 March 2011 at 10:35 am
Hi John, Redwood has just re-opened this morning. We hope to see you soon.
24 March 2011 at 1:15 pm
Tena koutou katoa, greetings to you all
We trust that all our Library members are safe and well and we feel for those who have their homes compromised or have been without services.
We are working from home as the Union office is within the cordon. See our website http://www.slgou.org.nz for current contact details.
Kia ora
Donald Bruce
Organiser / Advocate
25 March 2011 at 11:58 am
I’m glad that at least the South Library is open.
I was wondering what the status of holding/requesting books is given the damage to the libraries. Is this service working/partially working?
Thank you
Mark
25 March 2011 at 1:07 pm
Hi Mark – we’re very happy that four libraries have opened today! Our hold service is operating: From our homepage, choose the Catalogue link and it will allow you to choose a library. Pick an open library near you and if the item is available, your hold will be delivered to that library. Thanks.
25 March 2011 at 4:10 pm
Thanks Richard!
The library team is doing a great job getting everything running again. Thanks to everyone in front of as well as behind the scenes.
25 March 2011 at 4:16 pm
You’re very welcome. We’ve just published more detailed info on placing and collection holds – several libraries are acting as pick-up points for items on hold for neighbouring libraries. See our news alerts page. Enjoy your weekend!
25 March 2011 at 4:50 pm
Whats happening with the magazines that Central subscribed to?
26 March 2011 at 8:49 am
Hi Anonymousse,
we’ve forwarded your question to the relevant people and we’ll let you know as soon as we have a reply.
31 March 2011 at 2:53 pm
Sorry for the delay, at the moment we are facing a substantial backlog of magazines and newspapers to be redistributed around the library network. If you are looking for a specific magazine title the best way to find out where you can get it is to check the library catalogue – do a title search on the name of the magazine.
Alternately you could check to see if we get electronic copy of it by following the ‘premium websites’ link on the homepage, then choosing ‘Serials A-Z’ under the heading ‘Search multiple sources at once’. Serials A-Z lists all the magazines, journals and newspapers that we have online access to.
31 March 2011 at 5:10 pm
According to the catalogue the latest issue of one magazine I’m looking for is at Central Ground Floor and the electronic copy, due I suspect to licence issues, is a year old. Whats happening in general though? Is there going to be some sort of interim solution for all the magazines while Central is unavailable?
22 April 2011 at 8:50 am
the Linwood team are so looking forward to getting back into their community again. they’ve missed us and we’ve surely missed them. Bring it on Mini Linwood!!