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Did you know... |
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- The first library in Auckland was the Mechanics' Institute located on the corner of Chancery Street and Courthouse Lane, which opened in 1842.
- In 1882 Sir George Grey gifted his priceless collection of rare books, manuscripts and maps collected over a lifetime.
- A “time capsule” of parchment scroll, small coins and copies of The New Zealand Herald and Evening Star was placed in the foundations of the Auckland Free Library
(where the current Auckland Art Gallery is now situated) in 1885.
- In 1891, we had 400 library members. At the time the population of the Auckland City Council area was 28,613.
- Smith and Caughey began trading in Queen Street around 1884 and by 1900 the Milne and Choyce department store occupied some of the current Auckland Central City Library site.
- In 1934 children became eligible for free lending services. From 1946, this expanded to include all Auckland city ratepayers and residents.
- The first stage of the current Central City Library, was completed on the 25 November 1971. The second stage opened on the site that the old Embassy theatre had occupied on the corner of Lorne and Wellesley Streets in 1982.
- In February 1997, the Heritage Floor at the Central City Library was completed.
- The oldest Auckland City Libraries item in Special Collections is the Greek manuscript “Lectionarium Graecum” or “Lessons from the Gospels” from the 12th century.
- During 2005 the Preservation Unit at Central Library bound, repaired, boxed, strengthened, displayed and conserved a total of 24,799 library items.
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