Parliamentary Library 1858 – 2008

Parliamentary Library staff, December 2007. Photo Ross Becker

Celebrating 150 years of the history of the General Assembly / Parliamentary Library has made 2008 a significant and memorable year. We acknowledge the contribution of former and current staff to the work of the Library and thank you for your contribution to the celebrations.

 

The Library’s 150^th anniversary was celebrated and captured in many ways. In the written word, displays, talks, functions, in lights, with a song, photographs, paintings and even cakes. This blog reflects the activities of the Parliamentary Library’s 150^th year.  

Fun and Games

The Library Social Committee recently organised an end of year sports evening on the back lawn of the Library. The evening was a great success with staff teams competing in sack racing, petanque and mini golf. There was also a lolly scramble and pass the parcel. Gold medals were given out in various categories that included ‘best sports skills’ and ‘most committed and enthusiastic’. The photo here shows David receiving a gold medal for good sportsmanship. Gold and silver cups were awarded to Ross and Barbara for being the best dressed in sporty gear. Yummy salads and cakes were made by staff. Rumours abound that some staff were using the evening as a build-up for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Blowing the candles out!

The Parliamentary Library held a bake-off competition morning tea on 22 September as the final event in the celebrations commemorating the 150 years of the library. This was organised by the Social Committee. Staff entered a wide range of cakes and other goodies and the three judges found it extremely difficult to decide on a winner. Eventually the competition was decided on the toss of a coin – a beautifully presented lemon cake just prevailed over a tasty chocolate and cream cheese concoction. Only then did it emerge that one of the judges herself had contributed the winning cake!! No wonder she was rather silent during the deliberations!  The prize was a copy of Parliament’s Library – 150 Years. A monstrous chocolate cake in the shape of 150 years got a special commendation for imagination. To celebrate the occasion a cake illustrated with photos of the library building by day and lit up at night was adorned with candles – and we can say that with the blowing out of the candles and the singing of ‘Happy Birthday’ the 150th anniversary was brought to a satisfactory conclusion.

Zappo weaves his magic

The Library Social Committee recently organised a magical family night with Zappo the magician. Staff and their families were thrilled and amazed as a space robot materialised, a green alien visited, and a magical wand achieved the unimaginable. Highlights included a staff member being fitted with a space helmet that had an amazing and unbelievable result, and a friendly space bunny letting everyone pat it.

Somewhat quizzical?

The winning team

The Library Social Committee organises various social events during the year with the most recent being a Quiz Night. The winning team was ‘I am Smartacus’ followed by ‘The Mothers’ and ‘Turnbull’s Third Storey’. Teams were asked questions under various categories. These were: general knowledge; movies; geography; the New Zealand Parliament; and music. Other events have included a ‘Bake-Off’, a petanque challenge, an Easter egg hunt, and Christmas dinners where a surprise guest dressed in red with a sack of parcels has been known to mysteriously arrive.

 

 

 

Sports

Over the years the Library has had various sports teams. In recent years these have included an indoor netball team and an indoor soccer team. These teams have included many members who have worked in the Library and have both been a lot of fun, and have won some awards. The soccer team was called ‘Top Shelf’ until recently and still plays in the indoor soccer league. Teams have also been organised for sporting events such as the ‘Round the Bay’ run and other sporting events.

Library Choir

 

The Parliamentary Library has had a number of choirs over the years. The current choir recently performed at Parliament’s Harmony in the House where they sang two songs. One was about the history of the Library and was written specially for the event. Do you remember former Library choirs and the songs they sang?