The Greymouth Library began as the Greymouth Literary Association in 1868. With an annual fee of £2 5s and membership by ballot, the club was not accessible to most citizens. Three years later the association was changed to the Greymouth Literary Society, with a public membership and a public library.[1]
By 1887 the society had a public library and reading-rooms in the Masonic Hall on Mackay Street. However, in September 1887 fire destroyed the Hall. The reading-rooms, books and furniture had been insured for £200.[2]
In the early 1900s the council had approved the building of a new town hall and council offices, however the cost was prohibitive. After applying to Andrew Carnegie for funds to add a library wing to the building, a grant of £2250 was received in 1906.[3] The building, designed by architect Edward Iveagh Lord, was the largest brick building on the West Coast, and had a Шаблон:Convert clock tower.[1]
By 1936 the library included a children's library on the ground floor.[4]
The entire town hall and library were destroyed by arson on 19 July 1947. Most of the books and some of the furniture were able to be saved.[5][1]
Collection
The current library building on Albert Street contains the collection of books, magazines, DVDs and so on that would be expected of a district library. The library provides classes on digital literacy, and an active children's programme.[6]
