Jump to content

Devonport Library

Coordinates: 36°49′53″S 174°47′51″E / 36.8315°S 174.7974°E / -36.8315; 174.7974
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Sid432 (talk | contribs) at 01:23, 28 January 2025 (added windsor reserve history). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Devonport Library
Te Pātaka Kōrero o Te Hau Kapua
Devonport Library in 2024
Map
36°49′53″S 174°47′51″E / 36.8315°S 174.7974°E / -36.8315; 174.7974
Location2 Victoria Road, Devonport, New Zealand, 0624, New Zealand
TypePublic library
Established1878; 147 years ago (1878)
Architect(s)Athfield Architects
Branch ofAuckland Libraries
Collection
SizeFloating
Other information
WebsiteOfficial website

Devonport Library (Māori: Te Pātaka Kōrero o Te Hau Kapua) is a public library located in Windsor Reserve, Devonport, New Zealand. The library is part of the Auckland Council Libraries library system. The newest iteration of the library was constructed in a modernist style in February 2015. [1]

History

Windsor Reserve has always been the location of the libraries in Devonport, but in the 1800's, before there was a library, the reserve was a landing point for naval vessels. It was aptly named Naval reserve for this reason.[2]

The first library in Devonport was constructed in 1878. This first library was a section of the Devonport Borough Council's Council Chambers, designed by Edward Bartley. It was designed as a memorial building commemorating Queen Victoria's Jubilee.[3] Known as the Devonport Free Public Reading Room and located inside the Chambers, the library was free to use and open to the community.[4][5] This room was used until 31 March 1897, when it was closed and all of the books were disposed of.

Exterior view of Devonport Public Library building in 1954

On 16 April 1930 the library re-opened as a subscription library run by local volunteers.[5] Then in 1954, after the demolition of old Borough Council Chambers, a new library and a Plunket building were built on the site.[6][3] Devonport Borough Council resumed ownership of the library on 26 February 1954, and all subsequent iterations of local government has held jurisdiction since.[5] Rosetta Sadie Chapman was its first librarian. [5] Since then, the library has been renovated at least twice in very different style iterations.[3]

References

  1. ^ Rennie, Jon; Strachan, Nick. "Te Pātaka Kōrero o Te Hau Kapua Devonport Library | Athfield Architects". Athfield Architects. Retrieved 24 January 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ Devonport Takapuna Local Board Heritage Review (PDF). Auckland Council.
  3. ^ a b c Bollard, Richard (5 November 2008). Devonport Library Redevelopment Heritage Advice (PDF). Salmond Reed Architects Ltd.
  4. ^ Litterick, Paul (6 July 2015). "Te Pātaka Kōrero o Te Hau Kapua: Devonport Library". Architecture Now. Retrieved 24 January 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ a b c d Verran, David (2010). The North Shore: An Illustrated History. Glenfield, New Zealand: Random House. p. 142. ISBN 978 1 86979 312 8.
  6. ^ Musgrove, Sydney, ed. (1986). The Hundred of Devonport: A Centennial History (First ed.). Devonport47: Devonport Borough Council. p. 47. ISBN 0908704062.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)