Museum Library

The Auckland War Memorial Museum Library is one of the major research libraries in the country.

The depth of material available for use by the general public as well as academics and researchers, is highly valued throughout New Zealand and internationally.

The Library was formed in November 1867 as part of the Auckland Institute, and since then has grown to include some outstanding collections relating in particular to Auckland, New Zealand and the South Pacific.

Amongst these collections are important rare books, manuscripts and archives as well as maps, charts and plans. The collections also include periodicals, newspapers, ephemera and oral history. There is also a bookplate (ex libris) collection of exceptional range and quality.

The focus of the collections includes:

• Maori language, whakapapa and history
• Auckland social history
• Natural history
• New Zealand military history
• Archaeology
• Ethnology
• Museum studies
• The applied arts
• Exploration and discovery.

Library Catalogue

The Library Catalogue is a valuable online resource providing an entry point for finding out about the holdings of the Library. It includes records for a number of formats:

• Manuscripts - all of the holdings are included
• Books and serials - about one third are catalogued
• Maps - a small proportion of our total holdings.
• Pictorial Collection - provides detail about some of the extensive, including some 15,000 images of photographs, drawings and prints
• Card catalogues for most of the remaining books, serials and maps in the Library can be used in the Reading Room.

Photocopying Service 

Visitors to the Library or our three information centres can copy items for 30 cents (A4) and 60 cents (A3). Only staff may copy from our special collections (eg. manuscripts, maps, ephemera, photographs) and the charge is 70 cents per sheet.

Research Requests

Library staff respond to many email and other enquiries based on our collections. If the question is focused and something we can respond to in a short time (say 15-20 minutes from one source), there is generally no charge. However, we do offer a research service at the rate of $50 per hour for enquiries which require checking a number of sources or more in depth research. Copying charges will also apply.

Book Loans

Some members (life members, members from before 1996, library subscribers) of the Auckland Museum Institute may borrow from most of the book collections. We do lend some items through inter-library loan to other libraries. However to the general public we do not lend out our collections as they are rare and valuable reference material.

Military Research

One of our areas of strength is for those researching military ancestors. Check the Armoury page for more details.

Book Valuations

Although the Museum Library has a large number of ‘old’ books, we do not have resources for providing valuations. There may be a number of auction and book dealer’s sites on the Internet, which may be able to help. Some larger public libraries and secondhand book dealers may have valuation publications.

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The library is open to all visitors and enquiries are welcome

How to Find Us

The Museum Library is located on the top floor. The entrance is through the foyer or atrium ends of the Museum. Take the stairs to the second floor. Locate the Pictorial Gallery. Enter this and the Library is in front of you.