Topic: Hamilton City Libraries 125th birthday celebrations
Topic Type: Event
In October 2009, Hamilton celebrated 125 years of continuous library service in the city.
On 10 October there was a staff reunion dinner at the Central Library in the evening, with 40 former and present staff attending. A bus tour of the community libraries occurred earlier in the day - the bus tourists were entertained by a performance from Woven Choir at the Glenview Library, and enjoyed a home-baked afternoon tea at Dinsdale Library. About 100 enjoyed drinks and nibbles at a free get-together before the reunion dinner.
The official public celebratory event took place on Thursday 15 October, 12-1 pm, on Level 1 of the Central Library. Friends of the Library Chair Kathryn Parsons, and Councillor Daphne Bell, attending on behalf of Mayor Bob Simcock, who was ill, gave speeches. Acting Library Director Robyn Pengelly replied on behalf of the libraries. Dorothy Mills and Allan Douglas, library members since the early 1950s, cut the official cake.
Other events focused on New Zealand authors, to coincide with New Zealand Book Month, October.
Martin Crump, son of Barry Crump, entertained with memories of Barry, at the Central Library on Tuesday 6th October at 7pm. Beer and apple crumble were served, and those attending had the opportunity to chat with Martin.
Michelle Holman and Deborah Challinor talked about their latest books on Sunday 11 October, from 2-3.30pm, at the Central Library. Their talk was very informal and chatty and was well received by the audience af about 20 people. Listeners asked about the publishing industry, where their inspiration came from, story ideas and writing tips.
Living Streets, a performance theatre group, held a children's story time in Garden Place on Saturday 17th Oct at noon.
Historical photographic displays were on show at all libraries during October.
Battle of the Water Tower with Alf's Imperial Army, the library's school holiday programme, took place at Hamilton Lake on Saturday 26 September.
Children joined Alf's Imperial Army in a mock battle between the Zulus and the British. Before the battle, kids made some armour to use during the fight. The Zulus made a legendary African shield and the British a military helmet. Then were then given their weaponry of flour bombs and the battle began. View photos.
A Friends of the Library secondhand book sale was held on Saturday 26th September, to raise funds for a commemorative plaque on the site of the first library.
Customers' memories of the libraries are being recorded as part of the Oral History Programme. If you would like to contribute please contact Barry Friend by phone on 838-6852 or by email.
Jeff Downs
Convenor
Turning the pages on 125 years by Tracey Cooper, a feature on the library, was published in the Waikato Times on 10 October 2009.
