Living in New Zealand: Christchurch Has Fantastic Libraries and Tūranga is the Best

I love libraries. They are the original community-sharing resource, but even if you never borrow anything, they are great spaces to be in. The new library in the middle of Christchurch, Tūranga, is incredible. It is a beautifully designed space, with lots of different areas depending on what you want to do in the library. There are quieter areas as well as areas for kids to play around in or for people to collaborate in.

The children’s area on the first floor of Tūranga library

There are a couple of cafes, a computer lab and a room for making music. As well as books, magazines, newspapers, DVDs and CDs there are also games, puzzles and interactive displays. And there are incredible views over a city that is changing before our eyes.

Looking south from Christchurch Central Library over the cathedral towards the Port Hills

https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/turanga/turanga-floor-by-floor/

https://inhabitat.com/earthquake-resistant-christchurch-central-library-is-a-stunning-symbol-of-rebirth/

The earthquake has also meant a rebuild of many suburban libraries like the one in Lincoln.

Lincoln library

Some libraries weren’t destroyed in the earthquake. One of my favourites, New Brighton library, is one of them.

Unfortunately, the ugly Lyttelton library is another.

I Love New Brighton. It Has Many Reasons to Be Cheerful

If I didn't live in Lyttelton, I’d probably choose New Brighton (though I would be worried long-term about the threat of sea level rise and tsunamis). New Brighton has a fabulous long sandy beach and a cool modern pier that stretches out into the Pacific. The council had to do a lot of work to repair it after the earthquake and it is due to open to the public again tomorrow.

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New Brighton also has one of the new electric car charging points that are springing up around Christchurch.

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But the thing I like best about new Brighton is the library. You can sit and work in a chair that looks out over the ocean and there is a cafe below whenever you need a break from that.

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Cartooning Workshop in Lyttelton Library for 7-12 Year Olds

I ran my first cartooning workshop in Lyttelton today (the last ones I did were in Spain). It was focussed on character design and the kids were super to work with. They were engaged, paid attention and developed some really great characters.

Lindsey the librarian was an enthusiastic supporter of the workshop

Working on character design using old school picture reference - books!

Some of the children already had their own styles

Hopefully, there will be more workshops to come, but for now I'm relieved to get back to work. Running workshops is a lot more demanding than cartooning!