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Timaru District Council

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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

Photograph

Aorangi Embroiderer's Guild 1990 Wall Hanging

Victoria Lodge Roll of Honour board

RSA plaque VJ Day 1995

Victoria Lodge Roll of Honour board

Arundel Roll of Honour board

Orari Bridge Roll of Honour board

National Council of Women South Canterbury 60th jubilee tree

Timaru Library foundation stone

Tranquility

Queen Elizabeth II Memorial High Tea Temuka

Queen Elizabeth II Memorial High Tea Timaru

Newspaper Clipping

Civil Defence Control

Timaru Exchange growing steadily

Local and national

Timaru District Council Update: 'Public assistance appreciated'

Historic mural for library

Stitch in time for region

A segment of mural depicting the Landing Services Building

Guild is sewing up our local history

'Tranquility' comes to town

Letters to the editor: Library

Re-arranged children's section at Geraldine Public Library

Soft toy theft angers librarian

Opening of Children's Library Is Milestone in Temuka Annals

New library popular move

Bookworm competition at Timaru Childrens Library

Third Himalayan Gift Painting Arrives in City

Artist Presents Three Paintings To Timaru City

Obituary: Miss Mary Clarke

Centre, library to be demolished

$5000 sculpture for city

Temuka Mechanics Institute

Mystery end to old building

Wise counsel in the end gave Timaru its library

Event

Aorangi Embroiders Guild 1990 Project

Memorial High Tea for Queen Elizabeth II

Timaru District Libraries 100 years: staff reunion

5000 Poppies Project

The Largest Knitted Blanket Fort

Pamphlets & Ephemera

Information panel re Aorangi Embroiderers Guild 1990 wall hanging project

Wall hanging worked by Aorangi Emboriderers Guild to mark 1990

Geraldine Mechanics Institute Rules

Juvenile Department Timaru Public Library Rules

Temuka Municipal Library Rules

Person

Agnes K Elliot

Linda Hughes

Letters & Manuscripts

The new Timaru Public Library building

Publication

The Pied Pipers of Timaru

Collection

Library History Collection

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OrganisationTimaru District Council

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