Menu
The Carnegie Library building,Hokitika .1993.
Expand/collapse
About this image
DescriptionThe Carnegie Library building was one of more than 2,500 libraries worldwide funded by US steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie in the early 20th century. Completed and opened in June 1908, it is one of 18 Carnegie libraries in New Zealand. The entrance steps were a typical feature of the libraries, signifying that learning elevates a person.
By the late 20th century the building was no longer used as a library. It was subsequently restored and strengthened, and formed part of the West Coast Historical Museum.
Date of Photo1993Map[1] ContributorRichard Howe
By the late 20th century the building was no longer used as a library. It was subsequently restored and strengthened, and formed part of the West Coast Historical Museum.
Date of Photo1993Map[1] ContributorRichard Howe
Shown in this image
Landmark (Place)The Carnegie Library
From Facebook
Date Created20th October 2021CommentsLynnette Beirne
It was a magnificent library to work in
Karen Jackson
Built by William Arnott, my g-g-g grandfather.
Laura Mills Detlaff
Admin
Built Arnott Heights too?
Richard Howe
So glad to see that it has been restored. Dannevirke has a Carnegie library, but is under threat of demolition, despite protests.
Glenn Johnston
The library was behind the left hand windows and the reading room behind the right hand windows. The museum prior to the extensions was all in the back of the Carnegie building. In the late 1960's my mother, Joy Johnston was librarian and Ed Keown was
Trish Barry Andrews
Glenn Johnston my Gran was the Curator in the mid 60's and the old man gave some $$$ in the mid 90's to help keep it alive, Baz.
Lee Rae
Glenn Johnston
I remember them well Glenn
During school holidays (primary school yrs) we used to spend the mornings listening to stories being told by senior students… See More
Lee Rae
Glenn Johnston
Not sure of the name Glenn
But being the West Coast probably spent more time in the Reading Room
Jean Mehrtens
I used to borrow books from there in 1971
Karen Blanchfield
I can’t believe I didn’t know this until now. Thanks
Louise Lockie
Scottish-American. Born in Dunfermline, Scotland
Carol Linklater
When I was young the room on the right was the children's library and Rosalie Reynolds a librarian . The room on left was the Adults library and Miss McMillan librarian . One had to be very very quiet.
Judith Bright
The Carnegie Foundation also made it possible for New Zealands University librarians circa 1950s to complete formal library training in Pittsburgh.
=
Vicki Piner
Love that building
Don Pearce
PITY WE DID NOT SHARE Mr Carnegie's idea of education...
David Wood
Hope it's still there! Here it is in 2014...
Steve FitzGerald
It would certainly be gone if it had been situated in Greymout
Ann Bradley
David Wood It certainly is still there. See my comment below.
Geoffrey King
Hasn't the Museum closed, it has been closed since about 2016. What attempts are being made to reopen it? It has been suggested that I place my fathers rugby memorabilia in the Museum as he played for Excelsior club in Hokitika, but the woman who de… See More
Ian Miller
As a boy in the mid 1950s I learned something about astronomy from a massive highly technical book in the upstairs area. Most of those books came from the late 19th century and were hardly ever read by anyone.
Dave Maitland
Remember it well
Dave Lyes
Carnegie was a horrible steel industrialist. I'm surprised the woke brigade haven't demanded it be pulled down
Janet Jones
Dave Lyes Perhaps these so many Carnegie Libraries around the world that there would be huge protests, it they were to be pulled down. Still History.
Janet Jones
Dave Lyes Beautiful one in Hawaii.
Clare Pierson
In the 1940s the steps were very steep for my short legs. The door seemed formidible for a small girl an the books had no dust covers. The library was more often than not closed when I tried to return books so I gave up when I was still very young!!!
Anthea Rose
Westland Ratepayers have paid for Carnegie Building (Museum) and Drummond Hall for years on end as well as much volunteered time in restoration & upkeep - its a pity its taken so long for restore/strengthen/reopen as could be paying for itself.
David Verrall
Talked with Peter Read on Monday in Dunedin.
Ann Bradley
What a great pic! I worked in the I site in the front right hand room when the building re opened in 1998. Eventually the I site moved back to the WDC building and that room then became the museum entrance.
The building is currently closed for earthqua… See More
Margaret Trail
My uncle Ed Keown was curator/custodian
Carolyn Vasta
Such a lovely building.
Miriama Lance Johnsen
I remember my mum taking me there to the library
Karen McTaggart
love this and commentary
It was a magnificent library to work in
Karen Jackson
Built by William Arnott, my g-g-g grandfather.
Laura Mills Detlaff
Admin
Built Arnott Heights too?
Richard Howe
So glad to see that it has been restored. Dannevirke has a Carnegie library, but is under threat of demolition, despite protests.
Glenn Johnston
The library was behind the left hand windows and the reading room behind the right hand windows. The museum prior to the extensions was all in the back of the Carnegie building. In the late 1960's my mother, Joy Johnston was librarian and Ed Keown was
Trish Barry Andrews
Glenn Johnston my Gran was the Curator in the mid 60's and the old man gave some $$$ in the mid 90's to help keep it alive, Baz.
Lee Rae
Glenn Johnston
I remember them well Glenn
During school holidays (primary school yrs) we used to spend the mornings listening to stories being told by senior students… See More
Lee Rae
Glenn Johnston
Not sure of the name Glenn
But being the West Coast probably spent more time in the Reading Room
Jean Mehrtens
I used to borrow books from there in 1971
Karen Blanchfield
I can’t believe I didn’t know this until now. Thanks
Louise Lockie
Scottish-American. Born in Dunfermline, Scotland
Carol Linklater
When I was young the room on the right was the children's library and Rosalie Reynolds a librarian . The room on left was the Adults library and Miss McMillan librarian . One had to be very very quiet.
Judith Bright
The Carnegie Foundation also made it possible for New Zealands University librarians circa 1950s to complete formal library training in Pittsburgh.
=
Vicki Piner
Love that building
Don Pearce
PITY WE DID NOT SHARE Mr Carnegie's idea of education...
David Wood
Hope it's still there! Here it is in 2014...
Steve FitzGerald
It would certainly be gone if it had been situated in Greymout
Ann Bradley
David Wood It certainly is still there. See my comment below.
Geoffrey King
Hasn't the Museum closed, it has been closed since about 2016. What attempts are being made to reopen it? It has been suggested that I place my fathers rugby memorabilia in the Museum as he played for Excelsior club in Hokitika, but the woman who de… See More
Ian Miller
As a boy in the mid 1950s I learned something about astronomy from a massive highly technical book in the upstairs area. Most of those books came from the late 19th century and were hardly ever read by anyone.
Dave Maitland
Remember it well
Dave Lyes
Carnegie was a horrible steel industrialist. I'm surprised the woke brigade haven't demanded it be pulled down
Janet Jones
Dave Lyes Perhaps these so many Carnegie Libraries around the world that there would be huge protests, it they were to be pulled down. Still History.
Janet Jones
Dave Lyes Beautiful one in Hawaii.
Clare Pierson
In the 1940s the steps were very steep for my short legs. The door seemed formidible for a small girl an the books had no dust covers. The library was more often than not closed when I tried to return books so I gave up when I was still very young!!!
Anthea Rose
Westland Ratepayers have paid for Carnegie Building (Museum) and Drummond Hall for years on end as well as much volunteered time in restoration & upkeep - its a pity its taken so long for restore/strengthen/reopen as could be paying for itself.
David Verrall
Talked with Peter Read on Monday in Dunedin.
Ann Bradley
What a great pic! I worked in the I site in the front right hand room when the building re opened in 1998. Eventually the I site moved back to the WDC building and that room then became the museum entrance.
The building is currently closed for earthqua… See More
Margaret Trail
My uncle Ed Keown was curator/custodian
Carolyn Vasta
Such a lovely building.
Miriama Lance Johnsen
I remember my mum taking me there to the library
Karen McTaggart
love this and commentary
Editing is temporarily disabled
Cancel EditClick on the image to add
a tag or press ESC to cancel
a tag or press ESC to cancel
West Coast New Zealand History (26th Oct 2021). The Carnegie Library building,Hokitika .1993.. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 3rd May 2026 03:12, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/1544