Programmes and Events

Wellington City Libraries offers a diverse range of activities, programmes, and events for our local communities. These can encompass learning and literacy opportunities, information talks, tutorials or workshops, or creative performances.

If you would like to share your expertise with the community free of charge, apply here.

Libraries welcome applications from individuals, community groups, small local businesses, organisations or cultural groups, artists or musicians, and educators.

Preference is given to applicants who reside in the greater Wellington area.

The Library will advertise and promote the programme or event on the Library’s Website(s) and social media. The presenter is responsible for providing marketing material content to library staff to incorporate into promotional materials and posts, within WCC brand guidelines.

The presenter or community partner will be responsible for insuring any personal works or equipment used in their performances or presentations.

Wellington City Libraries will make the final determination regarding all activities in our branches. Some events may be accepted with restrictions arising from pragmatic considerations, such as size, noise, event timeframes, health and safety, staffing impacts. If a request is declined or the decision is unsatisfactory, the person seeking the community event will have the reasons for the decision explained to them. If this explanation is not satisfactory, the Wellington City Council complaints procedure may be used, and this will be explained to the person.

Applicants will:

• Provide a one-page overview or email of the proposed activity. This needs to incorporate
  • proposed event topic and format
  • event purpose & objectives
  • target audience
  • qualifications or experience of the event presenters
  • days and locations they are available
• Be available to meet with Libraries Programmes team
• Supply supporting documentation as required

Likely criteria which the Programmes and Events team will use

• Community demand and intended audiences
• Similar programmes offered recently
• How the opportunity meets our primary programmes objectives
• Number of other activities (of any kind) in the proposed location(s)
• Practical considerations such as space constraints, degree of resources required, health and safety, security.

Not eligible:

• Activities which are not permitted in our Programmes and Events policy. For example, activity which denigrate, speak against, or present negative images of another sector of the community. Respect and uplifting the mana of library users will always be the paramount principle, especially when acknowledging alternate views. We respect and value difference at the Library.
• Activities which encourage people to join a particular faith, lobby the community or government (including petitions), advocate a community action, or request donations are not permitted.
• Businesses, community groups or individuals whose primary purpose is to raise funds, sell items, products or services. However, an author may provide a book reading, and then arrange sales to attendees at the end. Note that they would need to organise this fully on the day – payments can’t be processed by library staff through Council facilities.
• Applicants expecting to impose an entrance fee during opening hours.
• Organisations or individuals who expect exclusive use of our public spaces during opening hours. This may be achieved via other means – for example, by booking meeting rooms.