Nightingale Library Roof Renewal

Nightingale Library to close for roof replacement

Nightingale Library will be closed from 23 June 2025 until the end of August.

The library and meeting room and returns slot will be closed for the duration of the project. During this period, you can return books and access our full range of library services at the Stoke and Elma Turner Libraries.

We will be replacing the roof membrane on the towers, the rotten timber around the high level windows, and the water damaged parts of the interior plywood ceilings. The interior ceilings will be insulated, and the skylight glass will be replaced with safer toughened clear glass. The flat central roof was replaced in 2017 and will not be changed. The upgrades to protect the building are planned to be in keeping with the historic building status.

The existing roof membrane is at least 35 years old and has reached the end of its functional life. Renewing the roof membrane will protect the building from weather for at least another 18 years.

Project

The membrane roof on each of the three towers is at least 35 years old and has reached the end of its functional life. The membrane is leaking and needs to be replaced to protect the building from weather damage. The flat central roof was replaced in 2017 and will not be changed. The upgrades to protect the building are planned to be in keeping with the historic building status.

History

The Nightingale Library Memorial was built in 1978 following a bequest from Nellie Nightingale and action from the Tāhunanui Progressive Association. It was designed by architect Alex Bowman, and has been identified to become a Group A heritage building due to it’s high architectural and historic significance.

The Nightingale Memorial Library has high overall significance to Nelson. The building has high historic and social significance for its association with Nellie Nightingale, a successful Nelson and Tasman district businesswoman and high cultural significance for the esteem in which it is held by local people. The Nightingale Memorial Library has high architectural significance for the quality and integrity of its design by local architect Alex Bowman, which has been recognised by a regional architectural award.