Major milestone as new library glass installed

Cladding is going on and windows are going in, with Greymouth’s new library on track to have the base build completed later this year.

The base build is on time and on budget, with the fit-out to occur in the first quarter of next year.

A specialist crane, used for installing glass, is now on site as the top storey glass goes in today.

When that is done, the building will be weathertight – a major milestone. Grey District Council chief executive Joanne Soderlund said the library was looking great, and had wonderful views of the river.

“We are looking forward to finalising the fit-out.”

The entire top storey is a library, including a café with an outdoor balcony – with panoramic views down the Grey River, and out to sea.

The café will be run by a private, yet to be decided operator. There will be space for interwoven museum exhibits, and a dedicated playground for children, and Lego. In addition, there is a designated space for teens and young adults, meeting rooms and breakout rooms, and quieter spaces.

It will include self-service computers to check books in and out. There will be computers for wider public use too.

There will be a dedicated parents' room to feed a baby in private, with parking spots for prams and buggies. The West Coast room with Coast history books and archives will remain. The future of the current library is still to be determined.

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