Gertie stops on its rounds. Photo from DCC Archives.
To make the Dunedin Public Library's services more
accessible to suburban residents, a bus was bought from the
city council in 1950 for 175 and refitted to carry about 1000
books.
Affectionately known as Gertie, it started its rounds on
April 17, 1950, visiting Mornington, Maori Hill, Roslyn,
Corstorphine, Kaikorai, Forbury Corner, Andersons Bay and the
Gardens.
The first such service in New Zealand, it was intended
"primarily for the use of housewives and there is also a
selection of books which mothers can read to children"
according to a city council report at the time.
Suburban commercial lending libraries protested, but the
service became popular and extended its hours.
After life as a mobile library, Gertie later became a pie
cart and now graces the front of a coffee outlet in Lower
Stuart St.
Victoria replaced Gertie in 1968, making 22 stops a week.
However, there was a demand for more, so, in 1976, Puff,
painted with dragons by the children of Portobello school,
joined Victoria.
By 1990, the 40th anniversary of the service, the buses
needed renewing, and in April 1991 two new mobile libraries,
PQ and PT, were launched.
They now make 49 stops a week, are used by more than 95,000
people and lend about 150,000 items a year.
Bookmark/Search this post with:
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.