Library history

Historical Highlights 

1876

‘Reading Room’ – 1st public library - located in the Town Hall (corner of The Square and Fitzherbert Ave)

1879

Borough Council assumed responsibility for the public library after a ratepayer poll strongly supported such action  

1885

Town Hall building destroyed by fire

1890-1894  

Public Library collection is deposited with Palmerston North Working Men’s Club

1894-1900  

Subscription library run by the Palmerston North Volunteer Fire Brigade (Coleman Place)

1900

2nd public library housed in the Colonial Bank building (site of the current Square Edge)

1905

3rd public library ‘relegated’ to the Municipal Council offices (Main St)

1910

Andrew Carnegie, American philanthropist, rejects funding request of the Palmerston North Borough Council.

1929

4th public library built on the site of the first public library after the destruction of the Occidental Hotel by fire (corner of The Square and Fitzherbert Ave)

1938

City Council abolishes the subscription system and introduces free membership for all residents of the city

1952

First branch library established, at Roslyn

1956

Takaro and Hokowhitu branches opened

1965

5th public library (i.e. Central Library) opened (corner of The Square and Main St)

1966

Roslyn Branch Library re-sited at corner of Tremaine Ave and Vogel Street

1967

Mobile Library service initiated

1968

Takaro and Hokowhitu Branch libraries closed

1972

Housebound service launched

1973

2nd Mobile Library launched

1979

Public Library’s circulation system computerised

1987

Awapuni Branch Library established at Pitama Road shopping complex

1989

Ashhurst Community Library becomes a responsibility (previously known as the Ashhurst Public Library – 1899) 

3rd Mobile Library launched

1990

City Library contracted to provide library service to the Manawatu Prison (Linton)

Archives transfers to the Central Library

1996

6th public library (i.e. Central Library) established in the CM Ross building.

City Library launches its own website

2002

Mobile and Branch Library revitalisation project begins

Roslyn Branch Library celebrates 50 years of service

New website for the City Library

2003 

Community Languages collection launched

2004

Palmerston North City Library turns 150 years old

2007

New website for the City Library

2008

Saturday 9th February 2008 - Highbury Library opened.  On October 2008 it was renamed Te Pātikitiki