On 1st July 1859, 19 gentleman in Warkworth paid subscriptions to the Mahurangi Library. This was the beginning of library services in the Warkworth area, which have continued through several different buildings and addresses, a couple of name changes, the transformation from a volunteer run organisation to being part of Rodney Libraries and all the usual ups and downs that you would expect of 150 years of history.
We are celebrating our sesqui-centennial next week with a range of events including special storytimes (with a variety of guests including Clifford the Big Red Dog), performers (Starfish Magic with Funky Fairy Tales), cake cutting (of course), displays and our trivia challenge to the community "Are you smarter than a Librarian?"
We may not be the oldest public library in New Zealand (that's Wellington, closely followed by Nelson and Auckland) but we are of only about seven War Memorial Libraries in the country.
If there are any ex-Warkworth staff or patrons out there, we would love to hear tales and snippets from your time here. We've got a collection of newspaper clippings and photos, but the personal stories and experiences will all be included in our birthday book, which we hope will make great reading when we celebrate our 200th birthday.
Here is a quick rundown of events next week. We will have more on our history on the blog then as well.
MONDAY 29th June
Preschoolers Storytime at 10.30am with Celebrity Guest Clifford the Big Red Dog
TUESDAY 30th June
Warkworth Primary School are throwing us a party in their school hall.
WEDNESDAY 1st July
Official Birthday Celebration at 10am Cutting of the Birthday Cake by the Deputy Mayor. Come in throughout the day reminisce, enjoy our displays and have a slice of Cake.
Then at 7pm we ask “Are You Smarter than a Librarian?” Quiz Night at the Masonic Hall. $5 a person to see if you are up to the challenge. Tickets from the library.
THURSDAY 2nd July
Another Special Storytime at 10.30 am. Clifford the Big Red Dog is back and he is joined by some of our other regular visitors Gareth and Peyton
FRIDAY 3rd July
6pm Professional storytellers Starfish Magic with a special performance of “Funky Fairytales”. Free for children old and young in the Masonic Hall.
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