History & Philosophy

Vision: "The Library is a vital, vibrant centre for enriching your life."

Mission: "Our mission is to collect, provide and facilitate access to information, knowledge and cultural resources for the whole community."

At Napier Libraries, our aims are:

• To create easy access to information in a range of media
• To provide excellent customer service
• To be a life-long learning centre for the community
• To provide a stimulating and pleasant physical and virtual environment. 

Napier Libraries value:

• People
• The joy of reading
• The development of literacy
• Intellectual freedom (the right to know)
• Equity of access
• Napier’s unique cultural heritage
• Life-long learning
• The UNESCO Public Library Manifesto principle that advocates: free library service for all. You can find out more here. 

We are proud of our Specialist Collections housed at our Napier Library, including:

• Art Deco Collection
• Robson Collection
• Government Collection
• Māori Collection
• Heritage Collection (New Zealand, Hawke's Bay and Māori)
• Humanitarian Law

Our striking koru logo is much more than an attractive image. It’s reminiscent of the hook Maui used to pull New Zealand out of the sea. It simultaneously represents our heritage, new beginnings and the way forward as well as the cycle of life. The bowl-shaped curve beneath represents the community as a whole, and embodies the essence of support, teamwork and unity.

At Napier Libraries we are committed to providing a welcoming environment that honours bi-culturalism. In both our libraries you will find signage in English and Te Reo, and we aim to continue to increase the Māori content on our website too.

History of Napier Libraries

Napier has had a public library service since the days of the Athenaeum, which was established in 1865. In 1986 the first purpose-built library opened in Station Street, next door to the main Council buildings. It remains the main city library. When Napier and Taradale amalgamated in 1968, the Taradale Library became a branch of the Napier Library. Since 2008, to coincide with the roll-out of new branding, the Library system is now known as Napier Libraries.

Taradale Library Upgrade Project

The former Taradale Library, created through extension of the former Rugby Club Rooms, was opened on White Street in 1995.  A contestable Request for Proposal was put out in April 2007 for a service delivery study to be undertaken for the Napier libraries. This was awarded to OCTA Associates Ltd., Dunedin. The Napier Public Libraries Service Delivery Study "Enabling Napier Library Services" was produced in June 2007. Through research, library visits, interviews and reference group sessions the study explored various options to improve library services and facilities in the City of Napier. The OCTA Service Delivery Study with recommendations was adopted by Napier City Council on 8 August 2007.  The Taradale Library extension project was a major focus of the Study and it was recommended that the Library building be extended to a total floor area of 1275 square metres.  The current re-built and enlarged Taradale Library building re-opened on 13 July 2009, and since then the people of Taradale – as well as the wider community – have been enjoying the fantastic modern facilities, which overlook Taradale and Centennial Parks.