New hybrid model for Christchurch's mobile libraries

As Christchurch rebuilds after the earthquakes and technology evolves, the purpose of the city’s mobile libraries is being reviewed. 

Katie Brazil, Christchurch City Libraries team leader outreach and learning, said staff had seen a decline in use of the mobile libraries. 

"I think these current mobile library stops are historic stops, they were set up after the earthquakes. It was to fill that gap, and since then the demographics have changed, the community’s needs have changed so it's now time to have a look at what works best for the customers” she said. 

The library service is looking to creating a hybrid mobile library service.  

While still retaining much of the old system, new services will be introduced to meet the ever-changing needs of its patrons. 

The Tokona te Kaika Homelink service will be an individual service to people’s doors, with programme offerings such as book clubs, help with digital technology and book crate delivery services to rest homes, Brazil said. 

Christchurch City Council will be transitioning to the new service next month and expects it to take about a year to fully implement the changes. 

 - John Spurdle, Public Interest Journalism Fund