Timaru District Libraries

Description

Alternative NameTimaru Public LibraryGeraldine LibraryTemuka LibraryTimaru Mechanics InstituteGeraldine Mechanics InstituteTemuka Mechanics InstituteTemuka Municipal LibraryDescriptionTIMARU
Timaru's first library service was a reading room opened in the school house on Barnard Street in April 1862. This was followed in 1870 by the opening of a Mechanics Institute. Mechanics Institutes were originally founded as educational organisations for skilled workers and craftsmen but usually consisted of subscription library services for members and the general public. The newly formed Timaru Mechanics Institute aimed to provide a ‘library, reading room and news room’. The institute made a significant contribution to the educational, cultural and social life of the town but suffered considerable financial difficulties. When in 1905 Mayor James Craigie suggested the founding of a municipal library the institute members supported his proposal, and in 1906 Timaru Public Library Act was passed giving the Council the authority to dispose of the Mechanics Institute building and contents and use any proceeds for a Council run library. An application to the Carnegie Corporation of New York resulted in a generous grant of three thousand pounds on the condition the library would be free for all the citizens of Timaru. Designed by local architect Walter Panton, the foundation stone for the library was laid in June 1908. Built of Oamaru stone by Hunt and Werry it opened on June 3 1909. Work had also been started on the Council Chambers section of the building and this was completed in 1912. The tower was a later addition, designed by Walter Panton’s son, Victor, and added in 1934. The original library building served the people of Timaru for many years but when a new one was built the Timaru District Council (at the time known as the Timaru City Council) took over the library section of the building.
The current library building is situated on a triangular block between Church, Sophia and Bank Streets and was designed by Miles, Warren and Mahoney. It was opened by Sir Keith Holyoake on the May 7 1979. Locals will be very familiar with the large distinctive sculpture “Tranquility” by Llewellyn Summers that is situated on a grassy area outside the library. Another familiar feature is the fountain that was presented by the Rotary Club of Timaru to commemorate fifty years of Rotary in Timaru, 1927-1977.

TEMUKA
In May 1871 the first meeting was held in Temuka to discuss the formation of a Mechanic’s Institute. This goal was realised in February 1927 when the new Temuka Library, Plunket and Rest Rooms on King Street were opened by T D Burnett Esq, MP, who had donated five hundred pounds to the building fund from the wool clip at his Mt Cook Station.
In 1997 the Temuka Library moved from its original premises into the remodeled Price Cutters building and was reopened as ‘Temuka Library and Service Centre’ amalgamating the library and council services.

GERALDINE
In 1873 a meeting was held in Geraldine to discuss the possibility of building a Mechanics Institute, and it was proposed one hundred and fifty pounds be spent on the proposed building site on Talbot Street between High Street (now Hislop Street) and Cox Street. A public meeting was held in 1875 to adopt rules and hours for the library.
In 1924 the library was incorporated into the newly built Town Hall and cinema. The library was moved again in 1957 to the combined Community Hall and Library. This was not to be the last move for the Geraldine Library and in 2003 library services were combined with council services and the new “Geraldine Library and Service Centre” was opened in a new building on the old Community Hall / Library site.

TIMARU DISTRICT LIBRARIES
In 1989 Timaru City Council merged with neighboring councils to form the new Timaru District. This led to a new library collaboration uniting the Timaru, Temuka and Geraldine libraries as ‘Timaru District Libraries’.

External LinkTimaru District Libraries websiteGeolocation^[1]Geo Address56 , Sophia Street, Timaru, New ZealandSubjectLibraries

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OrganisationTimaru District Council

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