Heritage et AL

Today, the Auckland Public Library is a modern center of learning, community connection, and  houses an abundance of books. Many of us see the library as a vital public necessity, something  justifiably funded through rates and other government revenue. Few would ever question our  right to access books for free. However, this wasn’t always the case. Similarly, the Auckland  Public Library occupies a purpose-built space that is both functional and conducive to learning  and connection. Again, this also wasn’t always the case. A central part of the story of the  Auckland Public Library lies in the growing recognition of the library as a place of importance,  and the changing role of the library throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Over a  series of four articles, I will explore key stages of development for our treasured Library. This  article starts at the beginning, and it will explore the Auckland Public Library’s early days, ...