Christchurch Central Library

Story

The Christchurch Central Library was the main library of Christchurch City Libraries. Originally called Canterbury Public Library, it opened in 1982, was closed by the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, and was demolished in 2014 to make way for the Convention Centre Precinct.HistoryThe Christchurch library dates back to 1859 and the original library buildings were on the corner of Cambridge Terrace and Hereford Street. Eventually over 100 years old, a replacement was needed, and after years of searching for a suitable site, the property on the corner of Gloucester Street and Oxford Terrace was purchased in 1974. The new site was again facing the Avon River, was across the river from the historic Canterbury Provincial Council Buildings, and was only a short walk away from the town centre in Cathedral Square.The architecture firm Warren and Mahoney was engaged to design the building, and Charles Luney was the principal contractor. The total price for the site and construction was NZ$5.8m. The building was opened by Sir David Beattie, the Governor-General, on 2 February 1982. Membership grew dramatically after the opening, and within three months, 10,000 new members were gained.