New Zealand Odyssey: Hokitika's Free Public Library

'New Zealand Odyssey', published in 1989 by Heinemann, was authored by me, Don Donovan (who did the text and illustrations) and Euan Sarginson, who did the photography and design. In this series of blog posts, I will publish some of my drawings

In the late 1980s the Hokitika Free Library was on its last legs but I understand that a 'heritage' group of angels saved it from oblivion and that it's now used for community events. 

It is a 'Carnegie' library, largely paid for by a Scots/American philanthropist who believed that anybody who could read should have ready access to books. These libraries exist in other parts of New Zealand and the rest of the world.

Hokitika's Free Library was opened in 1908 and I'm sure, was responsible for educating gold miners in their off hours - or at least entertaining them as an alternative to the scores of pubs that dotted the town in those days.

© DON DONOVAN

donovan@ihug.co.nz

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New Zealand Odyssey, Thames Free Public Library

'New Zealand Odyssey', published in 1989 by Heinemann, was authored by me, Don Donovan (who did the text and illustrations) and Euan Sarginson, who did the photography and design. In this series of blog posts, I will publish some of my drawings.

This rather serious looking building was opened in 1905 as a replacement for an earlier library. Funded by literary-crusading philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, a Scot who'd made a fortune in the USA out of steel - among other things, it remained Thames's library at least until 1987 when I did this drawing. I think they have a handsome new one now.

The thing that fascinated me at the time was that the brick inserts between the windows and pilasters had been covered with a layer of brick veneer. It gave the place a Formica look but, I guess, the original bricks might have become severely eroded. But it did seem a bit like sticking American cloth over a mahogany table.

© DON DONOVAN

donovan@ihug.co.nz