Invercargill Public Library operations under review

The operation of Invercargill’s Public Library is being reviewed to take into account changes in technology and position the library to better meet the needs of library users, Invercargill City Council Director of Works and Services Cameron McIntosh said today.

Mr McIntosh said that he joined the library management team and met with library staff and the Union this morning to talk to them about the review.

The library operation was last reviewed in 1989, when it moved to the current premises in Dee Street.  Since then demands on library services and technology had changed hugely.

“The proposal discussed with staff this morning outlines how the library operation could be better aligned to meet the challenges of the future.  The proposal has been developed over the past year by the library management team.

“We want to ensure that our library continues to fulfill its essential role in our community,” he said.

“The library employs around 55 people and we are working with them and seeking their feedback on the review.

“I expect that a number of staff, and their families, will feel unsettled by this process. I can assure them that Council will work to ensure all staff are treated with respect, fairness and integrity and that our process is transparent and robust,” he said.

Mr McIntosh said that depending on the feedback from staff, it was expected that the new structure would be in place around March 2013.