Smart cities and towns have multi-purpose developments, with libraries at their heart.

An investment in a multi-purpose development, with a library at its heart, is important to Nelsonians and our smart city’s future. It has a crucial role in transforming Whakatū Nelson and enriching our lives.

People describe these developments in various ways - community living and meeting rooms, innovation hubs, knowledge centres, idea factories, beacons…

Whatever their name, these multi-purpose developments, with libraries at their hearts, become part of people’s daily lives – their ‘third place’, with home being the ‘first place’, and work or school being the ‘second place’.

They are crucial connectors, bringing us together, connecting us and inspiring us. Welcoming and safe places where people come to:

  • Learn, try, make, or teach
  • Innovative and create
  • Work and collaborate
  • Borrow
  • Watch entertainment, or perform
  • Have fun
  • Catch up with friends, family, groups
  • Read, research and explore

Click here for more about what you could do in its spaces.

With Nelsonians’ visions and imaginations informing its design and function, our multi-purpose development, with a library at its heart, has the potential to help us overcome our social and economic challenges, nurture our knowledge economy, stimulate our youth, enable our experienced residents, attract and retain a valued workforce, lift people out of social isolation and make our city centre more liveable and a place to be proud of. Read more about the importance of the development to you and our city’s future.

The development is also at the centre of extensive future-focused work to transform Nelson into a well-connected, inclusive, healthy and smart city. Read how these initiatives aim to transform Nelson into a well-connected, inclusive, healthy and smart city.

With the support of our community through the long-term plan process, Nelson City Council is investing in our people and city by providing a multi-purpose development, with a library at its heart.

Read how the project aims to help overcome the social and economic challenges we face.


INSPIRING LIBRARY PROJECT VIDEOS

Te Ara Atea:


Tūranga - Christchurch: creator's space:

Creative New Zealand EXCELLENCE Award for Cultural Wellbeing: Selwyn District Council:


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