‘Athenaeum’ (from the Athenaion in Athens where poets read their works) was the name given to a school in ancient Rome where the arts were studied. In modern times Athenaeum has been used as the name for an institution which promotes literary or scientific learning or for a reading room.
The Dunedin Athenaeum and Mechanics’ Institute is Dunedin’s oldest literary establishment. It grew out of the Mechanics’ Institute, originally established in Dunedin in 1851; becoming known as the Dunedin Athenaeum and Mechanics’ Institute from 1859. It’s original purpose – enshrined in a parliamentary ordinance – was the provision of access for working class people to literacy and education. This private organisation accepted wide responsibility for providing these things to the Dunedin community at a time when no other adult education was available. Though its original focus was more on the provision of lectures and a reading room, today it operates largely as a private lending library, although the last four or five years have seen the library’s use diversify with the presentation of poetry readings, book launches, literary lectures and celebrations.
The Athenaeum & Mechanics’ Institute is managed by a Committee of its members, elected each year at the Annual General Meeting. The Committee currently has five members and Committee meets regularly at the Athenaeum Library.
The Athenaeum & Mechanics’ Institute is also a proud supporter of Dunedin’s City of Literature status within the UNESCO Creative Cities network, www.cityofliterature.co.nz
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