Library Week began over 35 years ago to honour the important role libraries play in our community. To mark this year's event (10-16 August), we're telling stories of some of New Zealand's landmark libraries, influential librarians and key moments in this country's library history.
Report on meeting of New Zealand's first public library from New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, 16 April 1842. The first librarian, Dr Frederick Knox is thanked for his work.
In 1992 the New Zealand Library Association organised a campaign in association with the Friends of National Radio (Inc) called the ‘Great New Zealand Television Turn-Off’.
The Munn Barr report, officially titled New Zealand Libraries: a survey of conditions and suggestions for their improvement, was a seminal publication in the history of New Zealand libraries.
Fire was the scourge of colonial towns and cities. Old, tinder-dry wooden buildings and books were a highly combustible combination, and many private and public libraries caught alight.
In the early 20th century a number of New Zealand communities established ‘free’ libraries with the assistance of a Scottish-born American businessman and philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie.
