Safe house for National Library collection

Big efforts are being made to ensure some of the National Library's most precious collections are kept safe during the library's building redevelopment.

Greg Goulding, Archives New Zealand acting chief executive and Penny Carnaby, National Library chief executive, said a joint project demonstrated the strong working relationship between the two organisations and represented practical collaboration by ensuring the collections would remain available to customers.

From early next year Archives New Zealand's Wellington repository will temporarily house the majority of the Alexander Turnbull Library's manuscript collections.

These collections include diaries, letters, journals and scrapbooks, as well as a selection of maps and photographs.

The Turnbull's acclaimed special printed collections of rare and early books will also be housed at Archives New Zealand, as well as the National Library's Dorothy Neal White Collection of pre-1940 children's books.

"This initiative means researchers will continue to have onsite access to heritage collections through a jointly-operated reading room, while the material is stored in a safe and secure place," said Ms Carnaby.

The two organisations have purpose-built almost 10km of shelving to accommodate the collections.

The move means the heritage collections do not have far to travel, as the two institutions are less than 100m apart.

"To make sure the collections are safe at all times, a heritage collection protection expert will assess our moving plans and packing arrangements," Ms Carnaby said.

The National Library's $52 million redevelopment will address critical issues with failing plant and infrastructure and collection storage. Collections and staff will move into temporary locations while it takes place.

- NZPA