Christchurch City Libraries
Encyclopedia
Christchurch City Libraries are operated by the Christchurch City Council
and are a network of 19 libraries
and a mobile book bus
. The library was formerly known as the Canterbury Public Library.
By 1863, with the help of a grant from the Provincial Government
, the Mechanics' Institute opened a building on a half-acre of freehold land on the corner of Cambridge Terrace and Hereford Street, purchased the year before at a cost of £262.10.0. This site was to remain the home of the library until 1982.
Debt
, dwindling subscribers and other problems forced the Institute to hand over the building to the Provincial Government in 1873. By this time the collection numbered some 5,000 volumes, and was placed by the Province under the control of the new Canterbury College (later University)
. With the abolition of the provinces in 1876, the library became the property of the College, ratified by an Act of Parliament
in 1878.
. By 1881 Mr Stedman had increased the bookstock to 15,000 volumes. By 1898 when Mr A. Cracroft Wilson was librarian (1891–1906) the stock had increased to nearly 30,000. Ten years later, under Mr Howard Strong (1906–13), the stock numbered over 40,000 volumes.
This dramatic growth was partly due to the gift of James Gammack, who donated the income and rents from some 1600 acres (6.5 km²) of land to the library in his will in 1896. This enabled the college to demolish the original wooden Mechanics' Institute building in 1901 and replace it with a permanent material structure.
Truly modern library service began under the librarianship of Mr E. J. Bell (1913–51). Bell classified the entire collection under the new Dewey Decimal system (still in use) by 1914, and opened a children's section that same year.
In 1918, with the support of the Canterbury Progress League, a Technical Library was opened. Two years later a travelling library service to country districts began, a service that continued until the establishment of the nationwide Country Library Service in 1938.
In 1924 a new wing of the library was opened including a separate children’s room. A new heating unit was installed that same year.
The 1930s saw a decline in the service to the public due to the Great Depression
, although in 1935 the Canterbury Public Library Journal was started. If in 1940 some 1,500 people a day were using the library, the bookstock had scarcely increased since the 1920s.
Canterbury College was finding it increasingly difficult to maintain the library in any form. Ever since the 1880s it had held discussions with the Christchurch City Council
with a view to handing over control of the library to the council, but it had proved impossible to reach final agreement.
In 1936 the council agreed in principle to take over the library, and made its first grant towards its upkeep. Control of the library was passed to the council by the Canterbury Public Library Act 1948.
. The library became free in 1952, although a modest charge was retained for some popular books.
The bookstock expanded rapidly, and new services became available for the first time. In 1953, the library began purchasing prints and original works of art for loan. This collection now includes original works by some of New Zealand’s best known contemporary painters, including Colin McCahon
, Sir Tosswill Woolaston, Rita Angus
and Doris Lusk.
In 1942 Dr J.C. Bradshaw had bequeathed 600 volumes of music manuscript
s to the library. Under Mr O'Reilly this collection was expanded, and in 1955 the library began purchasing and lending recordings, a collection that is now an outstanding catalogue of serious music.
The dramatic expansion of services and stock required extensive alterations to the buildings. A floor was added to the old Reference Library and the New Zealand room was opened in 1956. A bindery was opened in 1952 to repair existing stock and stiffen new books and periodicals.
To supplement the collections of existing volunteer suburban libraries the Suburban Extension Division was started in 1958. The first branch library, at Spreydon
, was opened in 1971, and has since been followed by branches at New Brighton
, Papanui
, Shirley
and a mobile library. A further branch is planned for Linwood
to complete the suburban network.
Following Mr O'Reilly’s departure in 1968 services continued to expand under his successor John Stringleman. The stock has grown to nearly to nearly 400,000 books, used by over 90,000 registered borrowers. Subject areas include Children's, Social Sciences and Humanities, Commerce, Science and Technology, and a fine New Zealand collection.
New services continued into the 1970s. Paperback
s were introduced in 1973, along with a housebound readers' service (Storyline) and a collection of books for adult new readers. SATIS, a technical information service for business firms, was begun in 1977 as a cooperative venture between Government and city.
to use a computerised lending system (1975) and this system has been updated for the new building. A telex machine has been added and an on-line computer data base search is operating.
The library also uses a variety of microform equipment and materials, including a complete microfilm of the Christchurch Press from 1861 and the Times of London from 1975. A microfilm edition of the Star is in preparation, and other newspapers will be transferred to film in the coming years. Microfiche has become a feature of the Commerce, Science and Technology Division.
floor in 1970 and a prefabricated annex in 1975. In 1974 a site was chosen on the corner of Gloucester Street and Oxford Terrace, and Messrs Warren and Mahoney chosen as architects. The next seven years saw the planning and development of this new home, with Charles Luney
as the builder. The new building was opened to the public on 12 January 1982.
By the 1960s the adjoining local bodies of Waimairi District Council and Paparua County Council had also established professional library services, and these, with the central and community libraries, formed the new Canterbury Public Library network following local government reorganisation in 1989.
Canterbury Public Library celebrated 50 years of unity with the Christchurch City Council in October 1998. To mark the occasion, the library held a number of events, including a parade for information literacy in which over 700 people from various organisations, schools and community groups participated.
In July 2000 Canterbury Public Library adopted a new name, Christchurch City Libraries. A new brand and logo were also launched to reflect the new name and the increasing range of services offered.
In March 2006 Christchurch City amalgamated with the Banks Peninsula
District and the four Banks Peninsula libraries (Akaroa
, Diamond Harbour
, Little River
and Lyttelton
) became part of Christchurch City Libraries.
Christchurch City Council
The Christchurch City Council is the local government authority for Christchurch in New Zealand. It is a territorial authority elected to represent the people of Christchurch. Since 2007, the Mayor of Christchurch is Bob Parker, who stood as an independent candidate...
and are a network of 19 libraries
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
and a mobile book bus
Bookmobile
A bookmobile or mobile library is a large vehicle designed for use as a library. It is designed to hold books on shelves so that when the vehicle is parked the books can be accessed by readers. It usually has enough space for people to sit and read books inside. Mobile libraries are often used to...
. The library was formerly known as the Canterbury Public Library.
Early history
The library began as the Mechanics' Institute in 1859, when 100 subscribers leased temporary premises in the then Town Hall. The collection consisted of a few hundred books.By 1863, with the help of a grant from the Provincial Government
Provinces of New Zealand
The Provinces of New Zealand existed from 1841 until 1876 as a form of sub-national government. They were replaced by counties, which were themselves replaced by districts.Following abolition, the provinces became known as provincial districts...
, the Mechanics' Institute opened a building on a half-acre of freehold land on the corner of Cambridge Terrace and Hereford Street, purchased the year before at a cost of £262.10.0. This site was to remain the home of the library until 1982.
Debt
Debt
A debt is an obligation owed by one party to a second party, the creditor; usually this refers to assets granted by the creditor to the debtor, but the term can also be used metaphorically to cover moral obligations and other interactions not based on economic value.A debt is created when a...
, dwindling subscribers and other problems forced the Institute to hand over the building to the Provincial Government in 1873. By this time the collection numbered some 5,000 volumes, and was placed by the Province under the control of the new Canterbury College (later University)
University of Canterbury
The University of Canterbury , New Zealand's second-oldest university, operates its main campus in the suburb of Ilam in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand...
. With the abolition of the provinces in 1876, the library became the property of the College, ratified by an Act of Parliament
Parliament of Australia
The Parliament of Australia, also known as the Commonwealth Parliament or Federal Parliament, is the legislative branch of the government of Australia. It is bicameral, largely modelled in the Westminster tradition, but with some influences from the United States Congress...
in 1878.
College years
Canterbury College controlled the library for over 70 years. Despite continual financial problems the bookstock and service continued to develop during most of the time.Growth
Mr Francis Stedman was the first official librarian (1876–91), although he divided his time between the library and the College, where he was also registrarRegistrar (academic)
In education outside the United Kingdom, a registrar or registrary is an official in an academic institution who handles student records. Typically, a registrar processes registration requests, schedules classes and maintains class lists, enforces the rules for entering or leaving classes, and...
. By 1881 Mr Stedman had increased the bookstock to 15,000 volumes. By 1898 when Mr A. Cracroft Wilson was librarian (1891–1906) the stock had increased to nearly 30,000. Ten years later, under Mr Howard Strong (1906–13), the stock numbered over 40,000 volumes.
This dramatic growth was partly due to the gift of James Gammack, who donated the income and rents from some 1600 acres (6.5 km²) of land to the library in his will in 1896. This enabled the college to demolish the original wooden Mechanics' Institute building in 1901 and replace it with a permanent material structure.
Truly modern library service began under the librarianship of Mr E. J. Bell (1913–51). Bell classified the entire collection under the new Dewey Decimal system (still in use) by 1914, and opened a children's section that same year.
In 1918, with the support of the Canterbury Progress League, a Technical Library was opened. Two years later a travelling library service to country districts began, a service that continued until the establishment of the nationwide Country Library Service in 1938.
In 1924 a new wing of the library was opened including a separate children’s room. A new heating unit was installed that same year.
The 1930s saw a decline in the service to the public due to the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
, although in 1935 the Canterbury Public Library Journal was started. If in 1940 some 1,500 people a day were using the library, the bookstock had scarcely increased since the 1920s.
Canterbury College was finding it increasingly difficult to maintain the library in any form. Ever since the 1880s it had held discussions with the Christchurch City Council
Christchurch City Council
The Christchurch City Council is the local government authority for Christchurch in New Zealand. It is a territorial authority elected to represent the people of Christchurch. Since 2007, the Mayor of Christchurch is Bob Parker, who stood as an independent candidate...
with a view to handing over control of the library to the council, but it had proved impossible to reach final agreement.
In 1936 the council agreed in principle to take over the library, and made its first grant towards its upkeep. Control of the library was passed to the council by the Canterbury Public Library Act 1948.
Council control
Under a new librarian, Mr R. O'Reilly, (1951–68), the sheaf catalogue was transferred to a card systemLibrary catalog
A library catalog is a register of all bibliographic items found in a library or group of libraries, such as a network of libraries at several locations...
. The library became free in 1952, although a modest charge was retained for some popular books.
The bookstock expanded rapidly, and new services became available for the first time. In 1953, the library began purchasing prints and original works of art for loan. This collection now includes original works by some of New Zealand’s best known contemporary painters, including Colin McCahon
Colin McCahon
Colin John McCahon was a prominent New Zealand artist. During his life he also worked in art galleries and as a university lecturer...
, Sir Tosswill Woolaston, Rita Angus
Rita Angus
Rita Angus was a New Zealand painter born in Hastings. Along with Colin McCahon and Toss Woollaston, she is credited as one of the leading figures in twentieth century New Zealand art...
and Doris Lusk.
In 1942 Dr J.C. Bradshaw had bequeathed 600 volumes of music manuscript
Music manuscript
Music manuscripts are handwritten sources of music. Generally speaking, they can be written on paper or parchment. If the manuscript contains the composer's handwriting it is called an autograph. Music manuscripts can contain musical notation as well as texts and images...
s to the library. Under Mr O'Reilly this collection was expanded, and in 1955 the library began purchasing and lending recordings, a collection that is now an outstanding catalogue of serious music.
The dramatic expansion of services and stock required extensive alterations to the buildings. A floor was added to the old Reference Library and the New Zealand room was opened in 1956. A bindery was opened in 1952 to repair existing stock and stiffen new books and periodicals.
To supplement the collections of existing volunteer suburban libraries the Suburban Extension Division was started in 1958. The first branch library, at Spreydon
Spreydon
Spreydon is a middle-class suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand. The most central street through Spreydon is Lyttelton Street. Spreydon is flanked by the suburbs Barrington, Hoon Hay, Riccarton, and Lower Cashmere....
, was opened in 1971, and has since been followed by branches at New Brighton
New Brighton, New Zealand
New Brighton is a coastal suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand, about to the east of the city centre.-Naming:The naming of New Brighton was apparently done on a 'spur of moment' decision by William Fee, an early settler of the area...
, Papanui
Papanui
Papanui is a major suburb of Christchurch New Zealand. It is sited five kilometers to the northwest of the city centre. Papanui is a middle socio-economic area with a population of 3,543 consisting predominantly of Pākehā 92.3%, Māori 5.7%, Pacific peoples 2.5%, Asian 5.0%, Middle Eastern/Latin...
, Shirley
Shirley, New Zealand
Shirley, sometimes referred to as Windsor, is a suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand, about north-east of the city centre.-Naming:Susannah Buxton was married to John Buxton . On her deathbed in 1868, she asked her son, Joseph Shirley Buxton , to gift land to the Methodists to build a church...
and a mobile library. A further branch is planned for Linwood
Linwood, New Zealand
Linwood is an inner suburb of the city of Christchurch, New Zealand. It lies to the East of the city centre, mostly between Ferry Road and Linwood Avenue, two of the major arterial roads to the Eastern suburbs of Christchurch.-History:...
to complete the suburban network.
Following Mr O'Reilly’s departure in 1968 services continued to expand under his successor John Stringleman. The stock has grown to nearly to nearly 400,000 books, used by over 90,000 registered borrowers. Subject areas include Children's, Social Sciences and Humanities, Commerce, Science and Technology, and a fine New Zealand collection.
New services continued into the 1970s. Paperback
Paperback
Paperback, softback or softcover describe and refer to a book by the nature of its binding. The covers of such books are usually made of paper or paperboard, and are usually held together with glue rather than stitches or staples...
s were introduced in 1973, along with a housebound readers' service (Storyline) and a collection of books for adult new readers. SATIS, a technical information service for business firms, was begun in 1977 as a cooperative venture between Government and city.
Technology
Technology has become sophisticated. The library was the first public library in New ZealandNew Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
to use a computerised lending system (1975) and this system has been updated for the new building. A telex machine has been added and an on-line computer data base search is operating.
The library also uses a variety of microform equipment and materials, including a complete microfilm of the Christchurch Press from 1861 and the Times of London from 1975. A microfilm edition of the Star is in preparation, and other newspapers will be transferred to film in the coming years. Microfiche has become a feature of the Commerce, Science and Technology Division.
Recent developments
By the late 1960s it was obvious that the library could not continue on its present site, although some temporary accommodation was achieved with the addition of a mezzanineMezzanine
Mezzanine may refer to:* Mezzanine , an intermediate floor between main floors of a building* Mezzanine, in technology, can refer to a thin sheet of plastic insulating different parts of circuitry from each other in cramped environments, such as laptop interiors* Mezzanine board, or daughterboard,...
floor in 1970 and a prefabricated annex in 1975. In 1974 a site was chosen on the corner of Gloucester Street and Oxford Terrace, and Messrs Warren and Mahoney chosen as architects. The next seven years saw the planning and development of this new home, with Charles Luney
Charles Luney
Charles Seymour "Chas" Luney was a builder and company director. He is notable for the many important buildings that his company constructed in Christchurch, of which his favourite was Christchurch Town Hall. His professional career spanned 80 years.-Early life:Luney was born in Lyttelton. His...
as the builder. The new building was opened to the public on 12 January 1982.
By the 1960s the adjoining local bodies of Waimairi District Council and Paparua County Council had also established professional library services, and these, with the central and community libraries, formed the new Canterbury Public Library network following local government reorganisation in 1989.
Canterbury Public Library celebrated 50 years of unity with the Christchurch City Council in October 1998. To mark the occasion, the library held a number of events, including a parade for information literacy in which over 700 people from various organisations, schools and community groups participated.
In July 2000 Canterbury Public Library adopted a new name, Christchurch City Libraries. A new brand and logo were also launched to reflect the new name and the increasing range of services offered.
In March 2006 Christchurch City amalgamated with the Banks Peninsula
Banks Peninsula
Banks Peninsula is a peninsula of volcanic origin on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It has an area of approximately and encompasses two large harbours and many smaller bays and coves...
District and the four Banks Peninsula libraries (Akaroa
Akaroa
Akaroa is a village on Banks Peninsula in the Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand, situated within a harbour of the same name—the name Akaroa is Kāi Tahu Māori for 'Long Harbour'.- Overview :...
, Diamond Harbour
Diamond Harbour, New Zealand
Diamond Harbour is a small settlement on Banks Peninsula, in Canterbury, New Zealand. It is on the peninsula's northern coast, on the southern shores of Lyttelton Harbour, and is administratively part of the city of Christchurch....
, Little River
Little River, New Zealand
Little River is a town in New Zealand on Banks Peninsula in the Canterbury district.-Location:Little River is approximately 30 minutes drive from Akaroa on Banks Peninsula, a major South Island tourist destination, and 45 minutes drive from Christchurch. It is on State Highway 75, which links...
and Lyttelton
Lyttelton, New Zealand
Lyttelton is a port town on the north shore of Lyttelton Harbour close to Banks Peninsula, a suburb of Christchurch on the eastern coast of the South Island of New Zealand....
) became part of Christchurch City Libraries.