The Grey District Library, also known as the Greymouth Public Library, is a public library located in Greymouth in the West Coast region of the South Island of New Zealand.
| Grey District Library | |
|---|---|
 Grey District Library in 2011 | |
 | |
| 42°26′55″S 171°12′37″E / 42.448701°S 171.210196°E | |
| Location | Greymouth |
| Other information | |
| Website | https://www.greydc.govt.nz/facilities/libraries |
History edit
The Greymouth Library began as the Greymouth Literary Association in 1868. With an annual fee of £2 5s and membership by ballot, the club was not accessible to most citizens. Three years later the association was changed to the Greymouth Literary Society, with a public membership and a public library.[1]
By 1887 the society had a public library and reading-rooms in the Masonic Hall on Mackay Street. However, in September 1887 fire destroyed the Hall. The reading-rooms, books and furniture had been insured for £200.[2]
In the early 1900s the council had approved the building of a new town hall and council offices, however the cost was prohibitive. After applying to Andrew Carnegie for funds to add a library wing to the building, a grant of £2250 was received in 1906.[3] The building, designed by architect Edward Iveagh Lord, was the largest brick building on the West Coast, and had a 21.5 metres (71 ft) clock tower.[1]
By 1936 the library included a children's library on the ground floor.[4]
The entire town hall and library were destroyed by arson on 19 July 1947. Most of the books and some of the furniture were able to be saved.[5][1]
Collection edit
The current library building on Albert Street contains the collection of books, magazines, DVDs and so on that would be expected of a district library. The library provides classes on digital literacy, and an active children's programme.[6]
References edit
- ^ a b c Rodgers, Kerry (November–December 2005). "Carnegie libraries". New Zealand Geographic. Archived from the original on 16 October 2020. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
- ^ "Fire at Greymouth". Evening Star. No. 7305. 1 September 1887. p. 2. Archived from the original on 18 October 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2020 – via PapersPast.
- ^ "A Carnegie Library". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Archived from the original on 19 October 2020. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
- ^ "Public library: Favourable comment on alterations". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Archived from the original on 18 October 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
- ^ "Greymouth Blaze: Spectacular fire". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Archived from the original on 3 May 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
- ^ "Libraries – Grey District Council". www.greydc.govt.nz. Archived from the original on 2 October 2020. Retrieved 15 October 2020.