Timaru Public Library

​David McBride

Some citizens might argue that in this electronic age, the traditional facility known as a public library – a storehouse of printed books – is an anachronism.

However, there are several attributes.

The Timaru Public Library sits upon a key site within the CBD. This aspect begs the question – is available land in such short supply that demolition of the library is suggested by an informal section of the community?

Under discussion is this special triangle of land, with a passive but endearing presence on all sides.

It’s fair to say the library carried technical difficulties from day one.

A cheeky critic might suggest the building had its long term maintenance work carried out before it was commissioned.

However, the building did become the key element of the precinct. Surely the architects at Warren and Mahoney nestled the library in to its natural basin to allow clear views of the beautiful St Mary’s and its much loved tower, not to mention the elegance of Chalmers Church to the nor-west, as the above photo shows.

There are many keen admirers of the sculptural quality of the library itself, moving away from a rectilinear box, which would have been a more prosaic piece of architecture.

The accessible car park adjacent is plain, yes but offset by the green area to the north where the ever-smiling character Tranquillity is surrounded by her plane tree guardians.

The library caters for many parts of the community – some retired citizens read newspapers each day while children are well looked after by their reservoir of books and their sunny courtyard to the north.

So one finds that this temple with its sculptural form provides much more than just a store for books across many hobbies and disciplines.