Hastings District Libraries

From a free reading room to computerised services, the Hastings Library has evolved over many years. Our buildings have been built, fallen down (literally), moved, rebuilt and extended, to provide a much used community service in the heart of Hastings.

Photo: The old Hastings Library building in Market Street South, destroyed in the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake.

Havelock North Library has been around for a long time!

1873
Inauguration of the library by shareholders of the Mechanics Institute. Housed in the Foresters Lodge.  A correspondent in the [HB] Herald of the time commented "it was hoped the efforts of the committee would be requited by a lower attendance at the hotels and a consequent improved attendance at the institute, which was well lighted and where there was always a good fire burning".