Libraries  |  27 Mar 2024

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Staff at Hornby Library are preparing for the big shift to their new premises at Matatiki Hornby Centre, in Kyle Park.

Hornby Library on Goulding Avenue will close at 6pm on Thursday 28 March and will reopen at the new pool and library community centre on Friday 19 April, from 3pm. The customer services desk at Goulding Avenue will remain open until 5pm Friday 19 April, before also shifting across to Matatiki.

Half a century in Hornby

Hornby Library key milestones through the years.

1972 – opens in the Hornby Clock Tower building.                               

1975 – moves into site on Goulding Avenue.

1989 – joins the Canterbury Public Library network.

1995 – refurbished with new carpet, paint and shelving.

2009 – building exterior repainted.

2018 – Kyle Park approved as site for a new community facility, including new site for Hornby Library.

2024 – moves into new home at Matatiki Hornby Centre.

Head of Christchurch Libraries and Information Carolyn Robertson says it’s “all go” at Hornby Library as the team prepares to pack up and shift the 21,000 items in the library’s collection.

“Hornby Library has called Goulding Avenue home for almost 50 years. There’s a lot of history and memories in the building.”

“It is exciting to be making the move into a brand-new, purpose-built facility and start the next chapter for Hornby library,” says Ms Robertson.

Christchurch City Council will gift the Hornby Library building (2/8 Goulding Avenue) to the Hornby Community Care Trust. Consultation took place from 17 July – 14 August 2023, and the move to gift the building was approved by the Council at their meeting on 6 March 2024.

While items cannot be returned to Hornby Library after the closure, people can return their books at any other library in Christchurch. The closest option is the Upper Riccarton Library, at 71 Main South Road.

Reserved items will be available to collect from Upper Riccarton library.

“The mobile library will be making regular visits to Goulding Avenue during the closure, so people can still come down and choose a new read,” says Ms Robertson.

The schedule for mobile library visits is available on the Christchurch Libraries website.

Customers can still visit the customer service desk at Goulding Avenue until it closes Friday 19 April, before shifting across to Matatiki.

“We’re providing uninterrupted service to Hornby customers during the transition between sites. Anyone that needs help with things like dog registrations, rates, or topping up their metrocard can come in and see us,” says Head of Customer Services Sarah Numan.

Matatiki Hornby Centre will be officially opened by Mayor Phil Mauger at a formal ceremony starting at 1pm on Friday 19 April. The centre will open to the public from 3pm, with a full day of fun activities on Saturday 20 April, from 10am – 4pm.