Christchurch City Libraries – History at a glance

1859 – August 4 – Christchurch Mechanics’ Institute opened.
1876 – The Library becomes the property of Canterbury College (forerunner to the University of Canterbury)
1901 – original wooden library building is demolished and is replaced with a brick building which still stands (Cnr Cambridge Terrace and Hereford St)
1948 – The Christchurch City Council takes over the library by Act of Parliament
1975 – Canterbury Public Library debuts the first public library computerised lending system in New Zealand.
1982 – Central Library building opens.
1989 – Local government reorganisation leads to the libraries of Waimairi District Council and Paparua County Council joining with the central and community libraries to form the new Canterbury Public Library network.
1995 – The library is the first in New Zealand to give internet access to its catalogue as well as the first to make its World Wide Web pages available.
2000 – Canterbury Public Library is renamed Christchurch City Libraries and launches a new look and brand.
2006 - Banks Peninsula District merges with Christchurch City and their four libraries (Akaroa, Diamond Harbour, Little River and Lyttelton libraries) are added to the network, becoming fully integrated on 1 July 2006. In addition to the Central Library there are now 19 community libraries and one mobile library.

For more information please see our timeline and brief history.