Friends of the Tauranga
City Libraries Inc

As Tauranga waits for the new central library to be built here is some more interesting information about an early library in New Zealand

Naseby Athenaeum Library

The Naseby Athenaeum Library previously appeared in a BBC documentary about tiny libraries

If you cycle along the Otago Central Rail Trail, you'll find this corrugated-iron library in the historic mining village of Naseby.Built in 1865 as the First Union church, it was converted to a library in 1870 during the gold rush. According to Heritage New Zealand, "Miners reading books from lending libraries seems to have been a popular alternative leisure activity to drinking in public houses, and nearly every small mining settlement had its athenaeum".Today, in addition to books, games and sporting equipment are also available to borrow.

The very existence of libraries affords the best evidence that we may yet have hope for the future of man

T.S. Eliot

Quick Links

Tauranga City Libraries

Friends of Baycourt Tauranga

Friends of the Tauranga Art Gallery

Tauranga Archives Online

Legacy funerals

About us

Friends of the Tauranga City Libraries is an organisation for ALL people interested in books, libraries, life and literacy.

We hold monthly meetings at 3 of the 4 libraries:-
     Book Groups at Mt. Maunganui, Papamoa and Greerton
     A General Meeting at Greerton with a speaker

We began as a lobby group within local body politics, campaigning for improved library services.
A strong aspect of our work is advocating on behalf of the community with both the Library and the Tauranga City Council. We lobbied vigorously for a new library in Papamoa and more recently a new library in Greerton.
Money raised through our regular activities goes back into our libraries.

Our organisation supports the Children’s Summer Reading Programmes, which run through the Christmas holidays, by securing grant money and by helping with the programmes.

Goals

  • To maintain a close working relationship with Library and Council staff 
  • To help provide the best possible service to the community
  • To increase the use of the Libraries through public awareness and advocacy of the Library’s goals and objectives.

** Libraries Need Friends **

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