Sue Thomson Casey Memorial Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sue Thomson Casey Memorial Library |
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Sue Thomson Casey Memorial Library in 2019
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| General information | |
| Type | Library |
| Location | Westport |
| Address | 87–89 Palmerston Street, Westport |
| Coordinates | 41°45′06″S 171°35′53″E / 41.75171944°S 171.59801944°E |
| Opened | 1904 (Carnegie building); 2003 present building |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | Single storey |
The Sue Thomson Casey Memorial Library is a public library in Westport. It is also known as the Westport Library or the Buller District Library. This library serves the people of the Buller District in the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island.
Contents
About the Westport Library
The Sue Thomson Casey Memorial Library is a central place for learning and fun in Westport. It offers many resources and activities for everyone in the community.
A Look Back: The Library's Story
The library has an interesting history, including a fire and help from a famous person.
The Fire and a Helping Hand
The first Westport Library was sadly destroyed by fire. This happened on New Year's Day in 1903. After the fire, the Westport Borough Council asked for help. They reached out to Andrew Carnegie, a very rich businessman. He was known for giving money to build libraries around the world.
In February 1903, the Auckland Library sent 150 books to Westport. This was a gift to help replace the books lost in the fire. By August, Mr. Carnegie asked for more information about the project. In October, he agreed to give £2000 (about $2,500 USD at the time). He had two conditions for his gift. The town had to provide a free piece of land for the building. They also had to raise £100 each year to help run the library.
Even though not everyone agreed with the plan, the building went ahead. The new brick library was built on Lyndhurst Street. It officially opened on December 23, 1904.
A New Home for Books
Over many years, the library's collection grew very large. It eventually became too big for the original Carnegie building. So, in 2003, the library moved to a new, bigger home. This new building is on Palmerston Street. The old Carnegie building is still standing. It is now a special historic building, recognized as a Category 2 registered building.
What You Can Find Inside
The Sue Thomson Casey Memorial Library has a lot more than just books! You can find many different items and services there.
The library has a wide collection of books for all ages. They also have newspapers, DVDs, and audiobooks. These are often called "talking books." A unique thing they lend out is jigsaws! The library offers free Wifi for visitors. They also hold computer classes to help people learn new skills. If you love reading, you can join one of their book groups. There are also special programs just for children.
Connecting with Other Libraries
If you are a member of the Westport Library, you can also use the Inangahua County library in Reefton. The Westport Library also shares books and other items. They send a changing collection to the smaller Karamea War Memorial Library in Karamea.
In September 2019, the Buller District Council helped the library. They used money from their Revitalisation Fund for a community makeover. This helped make the library even better for everyone.
See also
In Spanish: Biblioteca Conmemorativa Sue Thomson Casey para niños
