About Newtown Library
Our library and community
History of the library
The idea of establishing a branch library in Newtown was supported by many in the community during the latter part of the 19th century and on 7th May 1902, the Newtown Public Library was opened. It was the first branch library in the country and the first to be arranged under the Dewey Decimal Classification system.
The library was originally situated directly opposite the main entrance to Wellington Hospital and contained a public hall and a lecture hall seating up to 200 as well as the lending library. By the 1940s, the building was starting to show its age. Rather than refurbishing and strengthening the old building, the council decided to build a new library. On 22 October 1957 a new library in Constable Street was opened.
The move to Constable Street proved beneficial, with increased usage because of the new location near the busy shopping area. However, by 1989, the library was becoming overcrowded and the council decided to build a completely new library on two residential sites next door. The new library was officially opened on Saturday the 24th November, 1990 with a tapu-lifting ceremony. This light-filled and spacious library is a valuable community resource that is well-used by the residents of Newtown and surrounding areas.
Features of the library
Two poupou, carved from a turn-of-the century totara pile excavated from the site of the Wellington Civic Centre, decorate the main support pillars. The story of the separation of Ranginui (the sky) & Papa-tu-a-nuku (the earth) is told in the poupou and the kowhaiwhai (rafter patterns). A multi-media mural depicts the legend of Maui fishing up Aotearoa.
The poupou, kowhaiwhai and mural were produced by Manu Kopere, based in Plimmerton. The artists were Wiremu Grace, Tippy Bevan, Tana Salzmann and Kiriwai Tapuke.
Newtown Library is now linked into the CafeNet wireless network. This means that library customers with wireless-equipped laptops, can surf the Internet in the Library using a token from CafeNet. More information is available on the CafeNet website. NB. Access to electrical power points is limited at Newtown Library.
Our community
Newtown is the most multi-cultural community in Wellington City. Its inhabitants include many immigrants from Africa, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Pacific region who, along with the tangata whenua and Europeans, make this community a vibrant one. As well as a large population of children Newtown also has a large number of elderly citizens. Its closeness to the city and excellent public transport make it a very popular area. Major facilities include : Wellington Hospital, Wellington Zoo and Newtown Park Stadium.
More information about the history of Newtown, and neighbouring Berhampore, is available on our local history page.
Our library team
Our staff reflect the community they serve, with several languages and cultures represented. We have a wide range of interests including dance, international cuisine, trapeze, film, body boarding, the visual arts, yoga, gardening, dragonboating and wine.
Services we offer
Apart from regular library services such as answering enquiries and issuing and returning library items, the library hosts popular preschool storytimes and holiday programmes - for more details of these see our What's On page.
Internet access is also available via two services:
- free access to selected sites including reference websites and newspapers online, plus New Zealand government and organisation websites.
- email, search engines (eg. Google) and other general Internet access is available via the "paid internet service''. Minimum access time is 15 minutes ($1.50), with 30 minute and 45 minute time codes also available for purchase. If you do not use all of your time during a session at the computer, you can use up the remaining minutes at any WCL branch within the code's validity (usually 30 days).
Customers can also buy Wellington City Council rubbish bags, daily or monthly parking coupons and recycling bins & bags. Keys for access to Newtown Park Track can also be purchased here.
Our collection
We hold a collection of ESL (English as a second language) books from basic to advanced level. Also held are collections of children's books written in Maori, Samoan and Gujarati. Chinese, Samoan, Tongan and Cook Island newspapers are available to read. We also have a local history file.
