Fendalton Library is opening today for the first time since the February earthquake.

Christchurch City Council has re-opened part of the library in Jeffreys Road to the public as Council staff continue to use the other part as temporary offices. The whole library is expected to be open to the public by Christmas.

As the library is only partially open, there is a smaller collection available for borrowing and no computers for public use.

Libraries and Information Unit Manager Carolyn Robertson says Fendalton Library staff are excited to be able to welcome customers back. "Since some of our Council buildings were damaged in the February earthquake, the Council has had to use this library, and some of its other facilities, for temporary staff offices. Today is another milestone in returning these facilities to our community.

"Although there are fewer items available for borrowing than usual at this library, great care has been taken to ensure that there is a good cross section of everything from adults' and children's fiction and non-fiction to DVDs and magazines. We're calling it a small but beautifully formed collection."

The library will open from 9am-8pm from Monday to Friday and on Saturday from 10am- 4pm. This is a return to the same timetable as before the February earthquake.

Papanui Library, which was also closed to the public while it was being used by Council staff, partly re-opened in August and opened completely two weeks ago. Upper Riccarton Library, which is also being occupied by staff, remains closed but is expected to re-open early next year.

For more information about the Council's libraries, visit http://christchurchcitylibraries.com.