Thames Library celebrates 25 years in Mackay Street

Thames Library celebrates 25 years in Mackay Street

On 1 June 2015 it will be 25 years since the Library opened its doors in the new purpose built building in Mackay Street.

To celebrate, the Thames Library has some commemorative bookmarks and will be having a huge book sale during the week.

On Tuesday 2 June, (due to the first being a public holiday), there will be a birthday cake and a card for visitors to sign.

We look forward to you helping us celebrate our anniversary.

History of the Thames Library

Thames Library began as a Mechanics' Institute in 1869. A reading room was opened on 14 May 1870 and a Library on June 5, on the Grahamstown site where the Carnegie Library would later stand.

By July 1 1870, there were 11 volumes and 111 subscribers.

Thames Borough Council assumed control of the Institute and the reading room and lending section were opened to the public in January 1880 as the Thames Free Public Library. It was one of the earliest free libraries in New Zealand.

On July 12 1902, the Thames Borough Council took advantage of American steel magnate Andrew Carnegie's offer 'to pay for the erection of a public library in any city in the English speaking world which would provide a site and commit itself to the permanent maintenance of the institution'. Carnegie promised £2000 and a brick building was designed by architect J Currie.

The foundation stone was laid on April 6 1905 and the library opened on November 2 by Mayor Arch Burns.

Since the amalgamation of the local councils in 1975 the Thames Library has been owned by the Thames-Coromandel District Council. The Carnegie Building had been inadequate for many years and so the decision was made to build a new library.

Opening of the Thames new Public Library: The Mayor (Mr A Burns) adressing the assemblage, 2 November 1905

Photo: The Treasury - Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries

ENDS

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