Nelson City Council will reopen part of Elma Turner Library next week, more than a month after it closed due to earthquake risk.
Photo: RNZ / Samantha Gee
The central city library shut last month, after an inspection revealed some ceiling tiles were heavier than expected - weighing up to 11kg.
Tiles heavier than 7.5kg are considered to pose a risk in a quake if not properly restrained.
An assessment found most of the library's public areas are in the highest risk category.
Strengthening work began in the children's area and activity room last week and - once complete - staff will begin to prepare a pop-up library space within the building.
The partial reopening is set for 25 July if work is completed by then.
Opening this area will allow the library to return to offering a physical space for the community while the rest of the building is assessed with a view to bracing and clipping work taking place over the coming weeks.
Community and Recreation chair Tim Skinner said in a statement that the council has worked fast to get part of the Elma Turner Library open as quickly as possible.
"We know that the library is as much about the communal nature of the space as it is about access to books.
"This is a vital place for our community to gather, and the closure was sorely felt by many in Nelson who rely on Elma Turner Library for social interaction as well as services like access to computers and books."
