Supporting Our Libraries: The Important Role of the Friends of the Library

Last October I became President of the DPLA, more often known as Friends of the Library. I have been a member of the Dunedin library since my school days and feel strongly that it is essential that we support the Dunedin City Libraries. As a former teacher of English, I appreciate the value of reading for both knowledge and pleasure and have also enjoyed two positions as a school librarian, firstly in a girls' school in Dunedin and later at a large co-ed school in Hong Kong. The only school prize I ever received was for being a library prefect at my High School, perhaps setting in train a life-long love of libraries.

I gain great pleasure in choosing from the amazingly wide range of materials in the library and my borrowing usually includes novels, biographies or memoirs, a gardening book and one or two magazines. I wonder how many people have discovered the wonderful array of magazines and journals on the second floor along with all the audio-visual material. Among my favourite authors is Margaret Forster and I have recently enjoyed her memoir, My Life in Houses, in which she describes her varied life experiences associated with where she lived at the time.

The Friends of the Library have a long history and in the early days were very influential in seeing that Dunedin obtained a public library, finally opened in 1908 after several years trying to convince the City Council that a free library was essential. Now the Friends continue to support the local libraries by being advocates for strong funding and championing the importance of libraries in the community. To quote Gina Barreca, English Professor at the University of Connecticut, (ODT 25/11/15) “If a university diminishes the significance of libraries and librarians it dimishes itself”. The same must be said for a city and its libraries.

We encourage people to join the DPLA so that we can continue to fund items which would not necessarily be on the list of priorities in the library budget. In addition, we are able to support initiatives such as Books for Babies under which all new-borns in Dunedin receive a pack, including a child’s book and advice for parents to help them encourage literacy in their children from an early age. We are also supporting the new “Partnership Deal with the Blind Foundation”, which aims to provide appropriate digital materials and support for sight-impaired library members.

The DPLA arrange two series of lunchtime talks in April and September as well as catered lunches three times a year. All are welcome to attend our April and September talks, which take place on Wednesdays at 12 noon. Visitors are welcome to bring their lunch and we provide tea, coffee and biscuits. This is an opportunity to enjoy the company of other book lovers and be entertained by a variety of speakers.

The first of our catered lunches (for which there is a small charge) is on 9th March at 12 noon in the Dunningham Suite, on the 4th floor of City Library, when our speaker, photographer Paul Sorrell, will give an illustrated talk on his wild-life photography. We would be delighted to welcome new members along.

Membership of the DPLA is only $10 single and $15 family per annum. Please contact our secretary, Lyndsey on 478-0809 for further information on how you can make a difference to our Libraries.

More details about the history and benefits of the DPLA, including a membership application form can also be found on the Dunedin Public Libraries’ website  or by enquiring at your local Dunedin Public Library.