ABSTRACT

This thesis examines the establishment of libraries in the Auckland Province between 1842 and 1919, from the establishment of mechanics’ institute and the passing of library legislation to the promotion of the public library model. Part of the process has been to redefine a library. Libraries during this period related to a collection of books, rather than being associated with the building which housed it. Any collection of books which was considered to be the property of the community rather than an individual was called a library. These small and seemingly insignificant collections, by contemporary standards, played an meaningful role in the lives of groups of settlers in communities around the Province. Why they were deemed necessary emerges as the chapters unfold.

Chapter One examines the development of libraries in Britain, Australia, America and New Zealand during the nineteenth century. It studies the theories put forward by library historians over the adaptation of the public library model. In particular, a predominant theory which suggested that the mechanics’ institutes and the public library were the outcome of social reforms in Britain.

Chapter Two introduces New Zealand library legislation and the part played by Maurice O’Rorke, the member of Parliament for Onehunga, in the writing and promotion of the legislation. It examines the financial support provided to libraries through the Auckland Provincial Council and the Government.

Chapter Three examines the myth that Auckland was a cultural wilderness. It follows the history of libraries from the mechanics’ institute, the circulating libraries, mutual improvement societies, young men’s associations, through to the development of the Auckland Public Library and small public or ‘free’ libraries. The presence of numerous institutions in the province questions the myth that monetary gain was placed ahead of intellectual and social well being in Auckland.

Chapter Four examines how libraries were set up. Working with records of several library committees it has been possible to build a profile of the type of people who were involved in the foundation of community libraries, how they maintained the different libraries, and what support they had for the library outside the founding committee.

Chapter Five is an analysis of the holdings of a collection of libraries around 1874. It examines the most popular titles held by libraries and comments on the book selection processes of library committees. Parliamentary and public debates are evaluated in the light of overseas controversy over ‘the fiction nuisance’. Education versus entertainment and the place of fiction in libraries was a highly contested issue. The outcome was dictated by public support and demand for the provision of fiction.