Dunedin Public Libraries Heritage Foundation
About the Dunedin Public Libraries Heritage Foundation
The Foundation was established in 2024 as a Registered Charitable Trust to support the Dunedin Public Libraries’ work to preserve, promote, and grow the Heritage Collections.
The Foundation seeks to achieve the following objectives:
- Increase awareness of the Heritage Collections and foster community appreciation of their importance and research significance;
- Raise funds to assist with purchasing historically significant books, manuscripts, photographs, documents and other records;
- Collaborate with other organisations to expand the reach of the Heritage Collections and their resources;
- Ensure the protection of the Heritage Collections by supporting the implementation of strategies and technologies to improve access and usage in print, digital and other formats.
Patron of the Foundation
The Foundation’s patron is Christopher de Hamel, DPhil (Oxford), LittD (Hon, St John’s University, Minnesota, USA), LittD (Hon, University of Otago), FSA, who grew up and received his early education in Dunedin. A Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and former Fellow Librarian of the Parker Library, Christopher de Hamel catalogued Dunedin’s medieval manuscripts and is the author of numerous books,
including Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts (2016); as co-author, Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts in New Zealand (1989); and The Migrants: A Memoir with Manuscripts (2026).
How can I support the Foundation?
You can support the Foundation and contribute to supporting Dunedin’s social and cultural heritage in any of the following ways.
Help purchase a Book
No one collection is complete in its holdings. Some desirable books are rare or scarce and do not appear on the market often.
They are also becoming increasingly expensive. Helping to fund the purchase of a desired book fills a gap and strengthens the Collections as a whole.
Help conserve a Book
Some books may need specialised conservation treatment or archival boxing; others may require digitisation to increase access and use.
Individuals or groups in collaboration may elect to fully fund or part fund one of the above, e.g., 10 donors at $100 each to cover a total cost of $1,000.
Donate a Collection Item
Offers of gifts or donations of materials for inclusion in the Heritage Collections are welcomed by the Library. Acceptance will be guided by principles stated in the Collection Development Policy of the Heritage Collections and the Library’s Donations Policy. Please contact the Director of Library Services at the Dunedin City Library if you wish to discuss a possible donation.
Remember the Foundation in your Will
Leave a legacy in your will to enhance Dunedin’s status as a City of Literature, to ensure continued support for topics or periods of particular interest, or to establish a fund in your family’s name. All bequests will be used solely to benefit the Heritage Collections.
How to make a Donation
The Foundation is a Registered Charity and approved by Inland Revenue as a donee organisation. Donations may be made by crediting the Foundation’s bank account at the BNZ, account 02-0900-0038135-000, and will be eligible for a tax credit.
When setting up the payment, please ensure that you include your full name as reference. A receipt will be issued. Contact: heritagefoundationdpl@gmail.com
Bookplates
Bookplates may be inserted in donated or conserved/ repaired items upon request.
Participate in Dunedin Public Libraries Heritage Foundation Events
To find out more about forthcoming Foundation events, please send your email address to: heritagefoundationdpl@gmail.com
We will happily keep you informed.
About the Dunedin Public Libraries Heritage Collections
Established in 1908, the Dunedin Public Libraries have for over a century been developing a Heritage Collection of books, periodicals, newspapers, manuscripts, archives, art works and images in physical and digital format to reflect the social and cultural history of Dunedin and New Zealand and international cultural traditions.
The Heritage Collections, which now exceed 130,000 objects and include items and collections of national and international significance, are based on the three major collections: the McNab Collection, the A. H. Reed Collection, and Special Collections. Sub-collections within these three include McNab’s Voyages and Travel Collection, Reed’s Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts Collection, the Charles Dickens, and the Autograph Collection, and in Special Collections: W. H. Trimble’s Walt Whitman Collection, and the Hone Papita Raukura (Ralph) Hotere Collection.
Dunedin Public Libraries were a major partner in the bid for UNESCO City of Literature status for Dunedin. This designation was awarded in 2014 with Dunedin becoming New Zealand’s first UNESCO Creative City.
Contact the Dunedin Public Libraries Heritage Foundation
Email: heritagefoundationdpl@gmail.com
