Insurers not liable for earthquake-prone Wellington library

Wellington mayor Justin Lester has confirmed that insurers are not liable for the cost of strengthening or demolishing the city’s central library, which in late March was forced to close after it was deemed earthquake-prone.

Lester told Radio New Zealand there is no insurance claim on the building because the rating was a result of how it was built and designed, rather than structural damage. He said councillors would be briefed on whether to strengthen or demolish the building in the next fortnight.

Stuff.co.nz reports that it could be several years before the library is restored or replaced, and that a new library pop-up, Arapaki Manners St Library, which opened on 28 May, was a ‘medium-term’ fix. The council has not confirmed where or when the 350,000 items housed in the Central Library would be moved.

Category: Library news