Davis Library extension
Whanganui district libraries are one of the council’s most used facilities. The Davis Library has approximately 250,000 people through its doors every year, with a further 100,000 using the other venues and the mobile library. The Davis Library is a well-used public space – a place to meet, to relax, to attend events and family activities, to learn, to do research, or to plan a business. It is a non-commercial space for the whole community, open to all.
Whanganui’s population is growing, and the library provision for our community is well below national standards in terms of space and collections. Improving the provision of space and collection would ensure we are able to meet future community needs and the collections are easily accessible to all.
Extension of the Davis Library would address part of the existing provision shortfall and future requirements. It would take total provision in the district to 80% of the New Zealand standard for public libraries.
Detailed information on options for the Davis Library can be found in the consultation document(PDF, 14MB).
Summary of options and costs
Option 1
Extend the Davis Library (preferred option)
|
Cost
|
Impact on rates
|
Impact on debt
|
Impact of levels of service
|
|
$2.84M to build, of which the council is expecting to fund up to $1.9M.
No additional operating costs are expected.
|
Rates increase of $114,000 on average to repay the debt.
Per property on average:
- Residential $6.00
- Farming $6.50
- Commercial $9.00
|
Debt would increase by $1.9M by year 4 and be repaid over 25 years.
|
Increased level of service with more library space, better accessibility and higher service provision.
|
Option 2
Do nothing - no extension
|
Cost
|
Impact on rates
|
Impact on debt
|
Impact of levels of service
|
|
No change.
|
No change.
|
No change.
|
Existing level of service at Davis Library, reducing as the population grows.
|
Preferred option
Our preferred option is option 1. Extending the Davis Library in its current location is considered to be the simplest and most cost-effective option to improve our library provision with an additional 500m2 of public space, increased accessibility to collections, the ability to provide greater public collection and 50m2 additional work space for operations.