Aramoho Library to open in July

Published on 11 June 2021

Book heart

Renovation work is well underway for Whanganui’s newest library and everyone is welcome to come to the opening which has been rescheduled for Friday, 2 July at 1.00pm.

Library performance manager, Sonny Tamihana, who is overseeing the project says the new library building was once the dental clinic at the former Aramoho School at 2 Mitchell Street.

“We’re taking a building which once caused kids a lot of fear and anxiety and transforming it into a welcoming place that not only kids, but people of all ages, can enjoy.

“As well as giving the Aramoho community easier access to books, it will be a hub where people can connect and get to know others.”

The new Aramoho Library | Te Whare Pukapuka o Aramoho is a partnership with the Pasifika Vision Forum Trust, which runs the Born & Raised Pasifika early learning centre on the site where the library will be based.

Library manager Pete Gray says Hellen Puhipuhi, chair of the Pasifika Vision Forum Trust, is doing great work in the community and he’s thrilled to be opening this new library with her and her team.

When the library is up and running volunteers, including three staff from Born & Raised Pasifika, will be on hand to help patrons.

The new library will have a self-service machine for checking books in and out and paying overdue charges. A touchscreen computer will be available for searching for books and reserving them.

“People will effectively be able to access any book in our network of libraries because you can reserve books and get them sent to Aramoho Library to pick up,” Pete Gray says.

“This will be our third self-service library, after Whanganui East and Castlecliff, and we regularly refresh the books at our suburban libraries using the mobile library vans.”

The library will have free wifi internet access and two desktop computers with the library’s free Internet on Demand service.

“Everyone is invited to come along and celebrate the opening of this new library with us,” Pete Gray says. “If you don’t already have a library card, membership is free.”

Light refreshments will be provided at the library opening.

 

Tagged as: