Originally published in Library Life, (Online), Aug 2019; n.474:p.43
1910: FIRST NEW ZEALAND LIBRARY CONFERENCE
Conferences are the biggest events on LIANZA’s calendar, but it might surprise you to know that bringing New Zealand’s librarians together to share ideas and network has been at the heart of the association since its very beginning.
The initial idea for holding a library conference in New Zealand can be traced back to Dunedin journalist and social reformer Mark Cohen. Cohen had previously been secretary of the Dunedin Free Public Library Association, helping to secure the Carnegie grant which made Dunedin’s public library a reality. During a trip to London for the 1909 Imperial Press Conference, Cohen had learnt more about national library associations in Great Britain, the United States and Canada. In the halls of the Dunedin City Council in early 1910, Mark Cohen first broached the idea of convening a conference for public libraries across New Zealand. The Council resolved ‘that it is desirable to convene a conference of the representatives from Public Libraries of New Zealand for the purposes of discussing matters affecting the general conduct and management of libraries in this Dominion’.
Fifteen representatives from seven New Zealand public libraries made it to that first conference in Dunedin. Early conference papers covered practical topics, such as, adapting the Dewey classification system to suit New Zealand; how to operate a travelling library; along with ‘Infected Library Books’ and ‘Library Hygiene.’
The conference was deemed a great success, and the delegates formed the Libraries Association of New Zealand. ‘The formation of an association would be a strong bond of union amongst those having like objects in different towns,’ reported the New Zealand Times the following day, ‘and would lead to the development of a clear body of national opinion in matters which would greatly assist all present and future public libraries in New Zealand.’ This was an association for public libraries, not for librarians as individuals, but the definition of Public Libraries was deliberately left wide enough to include the libraries of parliament and Victoria University.
Following on from the gathering in Dunedin, conferences were organised over the following two years in Auckland and Wellington. Eleven libraries nationwide took part, and many of the subjects up for debate were ideas we’re still discussing today – free library services; library services for children; and the role of a national library were all topics at these first gatherings.
After the early successes of these first three conferences, however, the Association suspended activities so its members could better focus on the impending world war. Conference wasn’t back on the menu until 1926, when once again it was Dunedin City Council who got the ball rolling.
1910: FIRST NEW ZEALAND LIBRARY CONFERENCE
Conferences are the biggest events on LIANZA’s calendar, but it might surprise you to know that bringing New Zealand’s librarians together to share ideas and network has been at the heart of the association since its very beginning.
The initial idea for holding a library conference in New Zealand can be traced back to Dunedin journalist and social reformer Mark Cohen. Cohen had previously been secretary of the Dunedin Free Public Library Association, helping to secure the Carnegie grant which made Dunedin’s public library a reality. During a trip to London for the 1909 Imperial Press Conference, Cohen had learnt more about national library associations in Great Britain, the United States and Canada. In the halls of the Dunedin City Council in early 1910, Mark Cohen first broached the idea of convening a conference for public libraries across New Zealand. The Council resolved ‘that it is desirable to convene a conference of the representatives from Public Libraries of New Zealand for the purposes of discussing matters affecting the general conduct and management of libraries in this Dominion’.
Fifteen representatives from seven New Zealand public libraries made it to that first conference in Dunedin. Early conference papers covered practical topics, such as, adapting the Dewey classification system to suit New Zealand; how to operate a travelling library; along with ‘Infected Library Books’ and ‘Library Hygiene.’
The conference was deemed a great success, and the delegates formed the Libraries Association of New Zealand. ‘The formation of an association would be a strong bond of union amongst those having like objects in different towns,’ reported the New Zealand Times the following day, ‘and would lead to the development of a clear body of national opinion in matters which would greatly assist all present and future public libraries in New Zealand.’ This was an association for public libraries, not for librarians as individuals, but the definition of Public Libraries was deliberately left wide enough to include the libraries of parliament and Victoria University.
Following on from the gathering in Dunedin, conferences were organised over the following two years in Auckland and Wellington. Eleven libraries nationwide took part, and many of the subjects up for debate were ideas we’re still discussing today – free library services; library services for children; and the role of a national library were all topics at these first gatherings.
After the early successes of these first three conferences, however, the Association suspended activities so its members could better focus on the impending world war. Conference wasn’t back on the menu until 1926, when once again it was Dunedin City Council who got the ball rolling.
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