The Southland District Council’s (SDC) temporary Winton Library and office will operate from the RSA Hall next month.

SDC group manager customer delivery Trudie Hurst said the Bute Street building would provide a semi-permanent location for staff and customers starting July 1. 

The library's permanent building closed last month when the council confirmed the presence of airborne mould spores and fungal contamination. Since then, the library has been housed at Winton's Memorial Hall. 

Two further environmental reports have since been completed, reinforcing the initial results.

Ms Hurst said it was always the council's intention to find a more permanent temporary home given demand for the hall as a community facility.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the RSA, the Winton Community Board and the wider community for their patience and support during what is a challenging time for our staff and customers. It has always been our priority to ensure library and council services are retained and they have helped make that happen.”

The council was currently assessing what the requirements are and costs involved to do remedial work on the permanent building. It expected to have that information by the end of July, she said.

“We are working hard to have the library operational again. However, it would be wrong of us to try and put a completion date on it when there are so many variables involved at this stage.” 

Staff will relocate to the RSA building on Saturday, June 29 in preparation for opening on July 1. Therefore, the library will close at 1pm on that day. 

Hours of operation at the new site will then remain 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 3pm on a Saturday. 

“We’re so proud of our staff who have been so resilient and focused on doing what’s best for the community,” Ms Hurst said.

“We’ve had overwhelming support from other libraries across the South Island and everyone has rallied.

With the collection at Winton Library still being assessed, stocks will remain limited. The Aotearoa People's Network Kaharoa (APNK) network which provides free wifi might also be impacted temporarily at the new location.