Did you know that Te Papa Tongarewa has a library? The Te Aka Matua Research Library has been supporting the museum’s research since 1867.
The library serves as a research and reference resource, with strengths in New Zealand and Māori history, natural history, art, and photography. The crown jewel of the library is the Rare Book Collection. This behind-the-scenes tour offers a unique opportunity to view some of these rare books. During the visit you will look at old and new Rare Books and hear about what makes a book rare and why Te Papa collects them.
Seating will be available.
Martin Lewis is Senior Librarian at Te Papa Tongarewa, managing the Rare Books Collection and supporting research and library services across the organisation. Kim McClintock, Cataloguing and Acquisitions Librarian, oversees the lifecycle of library materials, from acquisition to cataloguing and deaccessioning. Together, they preserve and make Te Papa’s library and Rare Book collection accessible, contributing to research, outreach, and public engagement initiatives that highlight the library’s valuable holdings. The Library team have authored several blog posts highlighting work the Library, Pacific cultural heritage and historical collections (Te Papa Library blogs).
Images: Above: Te Papa Open Day Rare book collection tour, 2015. Photograph by Michael Hall. Te Papa (25412). Right: Pégase dragon (Eurypegasus draconis –‘short or little dragon fish’) in Cloquet’s (Ed.) Dictionnaire des Science Naturelles, Poissons et reptiles, 1816-1830. Photo by Rachael Hockridge, 2018. Te Papa