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Story: Libraries

Opening of the Auckland Public Library, 1887

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Opening of the Auckland Public Library, 1887

The grand new Auckland Public Library opened on 26 March 1887. It was housed in the same building as the Auckland Art Gallery, which opened the following year. The library and gallery held Sir George Grey's donated collection of art, books, manuscripts and other material. Grey's initial donation to the library numbered around 8,000 volumes. This eventually increased to 14,000.

Using this item

Auckland Council Libraries − Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero o Tāmaki Makaurau, Sir George Grey Special Collections

Reference: 1053-5640

by Enos Silvanus Pegler

Permission of Auckland City Libraries Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Julia Millen, Libraries – Public libraries, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/41603/opening-of-the-auckland-public-library-1887 (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Julia Millen, published 13 May 2013.