About Us
There are two libraries in the Waipā District Libraries, located in Cambridge and Te Awamutu, who provide free membership to all residents and ratepayers of Waipā and are run by a dedicated team of helpful staff.
Te Awamutu Library entrance is off Selwyn Lane. Cambridge Library is co-located with the Council building on Wilson Street.
Throughout the year, our libraries provide a range of children’s programmes such as Toddler Time, Wriggle & Rhyme, Makerspace, Lego Club, School holiday programmes and a special summer reading programme at the end of year break. Programmes may be delivered online if they are not able to be held in our libraries.
Please note children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
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Library History
July 1872 - Cambridge Library housed in the Primary School on Duke Street.
August 1874 - Te Awamutu Library opens. We are unsure of its exact location, but it may have been around the location of thje present-day ANZAC Green.
December 1877 - Cambridge Subscription Library opens on Victoria Street.
1888 - Te Awamutu Library moved into an immigrant cottage which had been moved from Herbert Street and re-erected next to the Post Office, on the present day site of the Burchell's building.
1902 - New Te Awamutu Library opened on the old site of the immigrant cottage. Approximately 13 Alexandra Street (present day).
December 1909 - Carnegie (Cambridge) Library opens (part of Town Hall) in Victoria Square.
1928 - Te Awamutu Library moves to rented accommodation in Giffords Buildings.
April 1933 - Te Awamutu Library opens in Bank Street in the former TA Gentleman's Club and included accommodation for the Librarian, Mrs Walter Scott (NZ author Mary Scott).
1975 - Te Awamutu Library opens in Roche Street. It was part of the new Civic Centre and Museum Complete, built on the site of the Old Town Hall.
October 1977 - Cambridge Library moves to Victoria Street.
June 1998 - Cambridge Library moves to within the Library and Council Service Centre which opens at 23 Wilson Street.
October 2016 - New purpose-built Te Awamutu Library opens in Selwyn Lane.
Featured news
Summer Reading Programme announced
Posted on 16 November 2023
Kids, embark on a reading journey this Summer! This December to January, we are thrilled to present Waipā District Libraries reading programme for the holidays, Kids' Summer Reading Fest, a celebration of words, stories, and the joy of getting lost in the magic of books.
Read on
