Stoke Library is likely to close during May for repairs. Photo: Kate Russell.

Stoke’s leaky library woes continue

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Stoke’s leaky library is likely to close next month for further scoping and repairs.

Nelson City Council’s community services committee received an update on the remediation of moisture damage at the 26-year-old library at a meeting last Thursday.

Decay, rot and toxigenic mould were discovered in the roof beams and cavity of the building during maintenance repairs last year, but further investigations are required to repair the building.

Due to the risk of the project, no tenders have been received from contractors to undertake the work – which involves the removal of wall and ceiling linings to assess potential moisture-related damage.

Instead, council are proposing to close the library for four weeks to scope what needs to be done and fix the internal work under their maintenance contract.

The date of the temporary closure is yet to be confirmed but it is likely to be around early May. Once the extent of the damage is known, a decision on a long-term solution can be made.

Acting library manager Mark Preston-Thomas hopes they can provide library services to Stoke residents during the closure, and they are currently exploring alternatives.

This could include escorting users to other city libraries via a shuttle, finding a temporary home for the library or setting up a pop-up library.

Gaile Noonan, community services committee chair, says they are aware of the importance of the library for the Stoke community.

“We will make sure the work is undertaken within the shortest possible timeframe so that the community is not without their much-loved space any longer than need be.”

The library is currently safe and does not pose any structural danger to staff or the public.

The Elma Turner Library in Nelson and the Nellie Nightingale Library at Tahunanui remain open for service, and online services also remain available.