Library

The Kohukohu Community Library is an independent library run by volunteers.

We are fortunate in that our 1916 historic building is managed by the Far North District Council so that most of our funds, which come from members’ annual subscriptions and other fundraising activities, can be dedicated to buying books.

Library services are:

• contemporary adult fiction, including the latest thrillers
• general non-fiction, including a good selection of art books and memoirs and an interesting collection of Northland history books
• young adult and children’s fiction
• lifestyle magazines eg Life and Leisure, North and South, NZ Gardener etc.
• a small DVD collection

We have interloan agreements with Kaitaia Library and Northern Libraries Network that provide a regular changing selection of Large Print and Audio Books

The library offers free WIFI courtesy of Uber Community Sponsorship and we have 2 computers and a printer for public use.

The Archive Room contains a collection of historic photos of Kohukohu and its people plus some timber mill and local cemetery records. A selection of historic Hokianga films are available for viewing.

We run a monthly Book Discussion group and a Writing group.

Library opening hours are: Thursday/Friday/Saturday/Sunday 10am to 12noon.  We hold an open monthly meeting to discuss the library and our catalogue - all are welcome!

Annual membership fees are: Family $20 Individual $15 Seniors $10

Library phone (09) 4055710

A Short History of the Kohukohu Library

Extract from an article contributed by Mrs M. G. Andrews (date unknown)

The Kohukohu Library has lived through many vicissitudes but its roots were so well planted in the late 1890s that it is of hardy growth and so has endured and strengthened.

The idea of a library was probably discussed by the millhands as they sat yarning at lunchtime waiting for the “turn to” whistle to blow. The idea grew into reality when a “working man’s club” was formed and every adult inhabitant helped to raise the necessary funds. Two rooms were prepared in a house next to the present town hall, one room was the library and next to it a billiards room. Later on, when the Town Hall was built, the library was located there until the space was needed for the many travelling shows, concerts and dances. A new library and reading room were then built on land secured from the Marine Department and the Working Man’s Club became the Kohukohu Public Library. In the reading room was a large table with newspapers and magazines – “The Strand”, “The London Illustrated News” etc. It was found necessary to protect these from disappearing by chaining them to the legs of the table.

In the 1920s, one of Kohukohu’s many fires destroyed the library building and it moved to a temporary home back in the Town Hall. When the new Post Office was built in 1957, the old Post Office building was given to the community for use as a library and so it remains today.

Well may we have pride in our library with its history of achievement in spite of the many frustrations and feel gratitude not only to those who gave us this heritage but also to the willing helpers who continue to serve.