Concept plans for converting part of the Te Anau library into a shared space by Southland District Council (SDC), incorporating a business hub to conduct council business and customer contact agency, will be on public display in Te Anau on August 16.

SDC deputy mayor and Te Anau ward councillor, Ebel Kremer, said it was hoped that library users would take the opportunity to see what was proposed and comment on how it could be improved.

Mr Kremer said a preview of the concept plan had been given to the The Friends of the Library Incorporated (FOL) and from that meeting there had been some constructive ideas on how the plan could be changed to better serve all the users.

When asked whether he supported the plan, he said he wasn’t prepared to say what his stance was on the proposal as he didn’t want to preempt any decisions.

The plan to share the space has drawn criticism from a large section of the districts library users, spearheaded by FOL and spokeswoman, Marilyn Hunter, who said the group was opposed to sharing the space as it would interfere with the normal function of the library service.

Mrs Hunter said the group was disappointed after the SDC had backed down from carrying out a promised feasibility study into the likely benefits of the move after a petition signed by 600 residents was presented to the council at the time of the long-term plan submissions.

She said people couldn’t see what sort of significant cost savings could possibly be achieved as the council was planning on continuing to lease the current building used in the town for council business.

“We’re concerned this is already a done deal and that the council is not listening to the community”.

“We want to protect the library for future use and the space is just not big enough to share”.

The Southland District Office in Te Anau remains closed to the public as plans are progressed to permanently base council functions out of the town's library.

Mr Kremer said he had received a lot of support for the planned changes but, he said, that as usual support was coming from a silent majority.

The idea of sharing the space was not just about cost-cutting but also involved issues of health and safety, continuity and efficiency.

There was no plan to reduce any library service.

He said no final decisions had been made and that it would be far better for all concerned to be able to sit around a table and discuss all the options and possible solutions.

He was convinced that together the council and the Te Anau community could achieve a good solution.