| Alexandra Library |
 BackgroundThe Alexandra Public Library occupies a central location in the heart of town. It is a popular and busy amenity. The Library is spacious and comfortable and has a comprehensive collection of books, magazines and audio visual material. The Children’s area is colourful and welcoming and the Young Adult’s area has a fresh, up to date collection to appeal to teens. Alexandra Public Library is part of the shared Library service for Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes Libraries. Resources Come in and check our computer catalogue system for information on all items available within our district. If an item is not in the Alexandra Library we can often source it from one of the other branches within the district or “interloan” it from another library in New Zealand. New Books - New books are available to read as soon as they are processed and released into the library collection. They are initially displayed on a display stand at the entrance to the library. McArthur Room - Our local history collection is housed in the McArthur room. This includes material relating to the history of the Central Otago area and New Zealand. These items are for use in the Library only, although some duplicate copies may be available in the lending collection. Microfilmed Newspapers The following microfilmed newspapers are available for viewing in the McArthur Room:
Local Government - Central Otago District Council meeting agendas and district plan information and Otago Regional Council notifications are held in the reference area of Alexandra Library. Electoral Rolls - The Otago Electoral rolls are held in the office. Please ask staff for these. All national rolls can be viewed at the Electoral office, The Mall, Cromwell. Stack - A collection of older books is housed on the Mezzanine Floor. These books include Non fiction, Fiction and Large Print. Services Our services, membership, borrowing and issuing policies are consistent throughout all libraries within our district. Housebound service - If you have mobility problems or are recuperating after a hospital visit or illness you will be eligible for our Housebound service. Library staff are happy to assist housebound borrowers with the supply of reading items. If you would like to be a volunteer courier for this service we would like to hear from you. For all enquiries ph (03) 448 9412. Word processing and Internet - Our Library has 2 computers with Word and internet capabilities. The charges for these services are as follows: $2.00 for 15 minutes $4.00 for 30 minutes $6.00 for 45 minutes $7.00 for 1 hour Community Lawyer - Visits Alexandra Library every first Tuesday of the month, 11.30-1pm Appointments are not necessary for this free legal advice. Mezzanine Floor - Meetings can be held on the Mezzanine Floor. Tables and chairs are available. This is a comfortable venue, especially in the Winter months. For enquiries please call the Library Manager ph: (03) 448 9412. Children's Services Events - From time to time we hold a special event, e.g. a visit from Clifford the big red dog. Pre-school story time - Free story reading sessions are held every Tuesday from 10.30-11am except during school holidays. Children are to be accompanied by a carer or parent. All welcome! School holiday programmes - Free story reading and craft sessions are organised during all school holidays. All school aged children are welcome. Bookings are essential; please phone (03) 448 9412 Get well bags - Treasure troves for sick children, containing videos, DVDs, cassettes, puzzle books and stories. Guaranteed to cheer your child up. These are available for a variety of reading levels for one week loans. Curiosity kits - High interest non fiction kits containing books on a particular subject. These kits may also contain puzzles, toys, games, colouring in and word finds which compliment the subject and add interest. Ask the Children’s Librarian for assistance. Summer and Winter Reading Challenges - Every Summer and Winter holidays we organise a Reading Challenge. This is open to children of all ages. Children decide on a personal target of books they will read during the holiday break. For preschoolers, parents must read 20 books. All those who meet their target will receive a prize. We hold a prize giving for the Summer Reading Challenge and have lucky dip prizes for the Winter Challenge. Please contact the Children’s Librarian regarding Children’s services on (03) 448 9412 Community Community Displays - Alexandra Library has rotating displays to highlight parts of our collections. Non profit Community groups are welcome to use library facilities for displays for up to 3 weeks. Please contact the Library Manager on (03) 448 9412 with enquiries. Notice board - Alexandra Library has a notice board available for the display of information about forth coming events and activities of general community interest.  History The Carnegie Library was built with a grant of 800 pounds from the Andrew Carnegie Trust in 1916. Mrs Glad McArthur organised a grant to establish a Children’s library. (The McArthur Committee actively supports the Library on behalf of Glad McArthur). Among Alexandra’s library rules was an injunction that “no person…who is suffering from an infectious or offensive disease shall enter the library.” The building was unheated and proved dreadfully cold during central Otago winters. It did afford a cosy community social centre on Friday nights, when a small kerosene heater was brought in. This Library served the Community well until 1978, when it was demolished to make way for a new building. Sadly, one of the last physical reminders of the library has also vanished – the so called library tree, a historic beech that stood beside the building. References from “Carnegie’s Legacy” in the New Zealand geographic magazine, November-December 2005 by Kerry Rodgers |