Library celebrates 10th birthday

A ground-breaking local library that serves a school and the community is celebrating its 10th birthday this week.

Upper Riccarton Library is unusual because it is a shared community and school service operated by Christchurch City Libraries in partnership with Riccarton High School.

The library celebrated its first decade this week with a function. Guests included members of the original planning group, Riccarton High School's board of trustees and library staff.

Community Libraries Manager Dyane Hosler said Upper Riccarton School and Community Library was the first "joint use" library in New Zealand when it opened in the grounds of Riccarton High School in early 2006. "It's been very successful because we have regular joint use management meetings and we work together with the community," she said.

When it was built, the library used an innovative environmentally friendly design by Warren and Mahoney that was cutting-edge for its time.