Mataura Community Bands Together to Address Library Disruptions

• The Mataura Library and Service Centre has implemented reduced hours due to ongoing disorder issues.
• An emergency meeting led by Library Manager Emma Sherie resulted in productive outcomes and community engagement.
• The library’s current opening hours are from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM on weekdays.

The Mataura community is working together on a solution to the disorder problems that have plagued the Mataura Library and Service Centre in recent weeks.

Gore District Council Library Manager Emma Sherie took the bold step on Monday (March 25) of reducing opening hours.

“Obviously that is not ideal. We want libraries to be places where people can hang out and connect. But we also want those people to feel welcome and safe when they do.”

Emma said an emergency meeting this afternoon (Thursday) was well attended.

“It was a really productive meeting with some really good outcomes. What quickly became clear is that There are many layers to this issue that can’t be solved with one single solution.

“It is a community issue, and one which I’m delighted to say an entire community has put its hands up to solve,” Ms Sherie said.

For now the library will continue to open reduced hours from 10:00am to 2:30pm week days.