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Suva City Carnegie Library
Mission statement
“To provide timely, relevant and efficient library and information services for the cultural, social, economic and intellectual development of Suva, including its business community.
To create and strengthen in children and young people a love for reading and learning.”
On this page:
History
The Suva City Carnegie Library is a public library which serves the Central and Eastern Division of Fiji.
Year |
Description of Event |
| 1908 | The foundation stone was laid by the Governor of Fiji, Sir Everard Imthurn, on 1st September |
| 1909 | Andrew Carnegie, an American iron and steel manufacturer provided the grant that enabled the completion of the central portion of the present library building. The library was opened to the public on the 20th November and was known as the Carnegie Library. |
| 1922 | A Children’s wing established |
| 1930 | Two wings on either side of the original structure were added. |
| 1953 | Through a resolution adopted by the then Suva City Council changed the name to Suva City Library. |
| 1972 | A 7ton Bedford truck was used as a mobile library to serve Primary Schools. |
| 1991 | The 7ton truck was replaced by a vehicle provided by the Embassy and the people of Japan. |
| 1996 | The Children’s Library were demolished to make way for the construction of the Civic Tower Building and is now accommodated within the main library. |
| 2002 | Free Library internet implemented by ITC Services through Government’s eGov project. |
| 2005 | New Zealand Aid refurbished and donated new books to the Children’s library in July. |
| 2008 |
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| 2009 |
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| 2013 | In August a new library mobile was gifted to the library by the High Commission of India. |
Hours of opening
The present opening hours for the Suva City Carnegie Library are:
Days |
Time |
| Monday – Friday | 9.30am to 6.00pm |
| Saturday | 9.00am to 1.00pm |
| Sundays and Public Holidays | Closed |
Membership & entitlements
Members |
Entitlement |
| Children & Mobile members | 2 children’s books |
| Secondary Students | 4 books, inclusive of 2 children’s books |
| Adults & Visitors | 4 books, inclusive of 2 children’s books |
Membership criteria
- Complete and sign membership form
- Show proof of your current postal address
- Membership is not instant. There is a 1 week processing period.
Membership forms
(i) Adult, Visitor and Tertiary students application form
(ii) Secondary students & Children’s application form
LIBRARY MEMBERSHIP (excerpt from Rules & Regulations of the library)
Registration criteria
i. Complete and sign membership form
ii. Show proof of your current postal address
iii. Membership is NOT instant. There is a 1 week processing period.
Library deposit
Membership categories are as follows:
Membership |
Fee |
| Children & Mobile members | $5.20 |
| Secondary students | $10.40 |
| Adults & Visitors | $20.80 |
Borrowing & Return of books
a) Borrowers shall observe the conditions of borrowing posted in the library and in force at the time.
b) On payment of library deposit fees, members shall be entitled to borrow books as follows:
- Adult & Visitors – 4 books (Inclusive of 2 children’s books)
- Secondary Students – 4 books (Inclusive of 2 children’s books)
- Children – 2 children’s books
c) The time allowed for reading or retaining library books shall be 14 days excluding the day of issue. A member who retains a book beyond 14 days unless an extension is granted shall pay a fine of 25cents per day on each book.
All overdue charges and costs shall be paid before new books are issued. Fines and other costs shall be subject to revision as determined from time to time.
d) Each book borrowed shall be stamped at the issue desk with the due date. This date constitutes the official notification to the member as the date by which the book must be returned or renewed.
e) No book shall be taken out of the library without it having been officially stamped by the library staff for loan.
f) A member shall be responsible for books borrowed on his ticket. The member may be required to pay the cost of replacement including administrative costs if the books are lost or damaged.
g) A member shall not lend or exchange books with other people and shall not allow his borrower cards to be used by any other person.
h) Three recall notices will be sent to members with overdue books. After a period of six months, members who still have overdue books shall have their deposits refunded to the library in lieu of the books borrowed and not returned. Members shall be liable for all administrative costs including the postage of overdue recall notices.
i) The Librarian may recall books on loan and they must be returned within the time stated. Neglect of the recall notice shall be treated as contrary to the library Rules & Regulations and may involve loss of membership.
j) Renewals will be granted of books on loan provided they are not reserved by other members.
k) Books may not be renewed by the telephone or post.
l) No person shall be permitted to remove from the library any current newspaper or magazine or any material from the Reference section.
Borrowing of books
- Borrowers must observe the Library Rules & Regulations in force at the time
- Books are issued only to library members
- Loan period is 14 days
- Members who retain a book beyond 14 days will be charged a fine of 25cents per book per day
- Three recall notices are sent out for overdue books
- After a period of six months, members who still have overdue books shall have their deposits refunded to the library in lieu of the books borrowed and not returned
Services
These are some of the Services we offer the general public:
| Circulation | Information | References |
| Inter-Library Loans | Homework Help | Laminating |
| Photocopying | Children’s Holiday Activities | EU Info Point |
| User-pay Internet | User-pay Printing | Car Park space for 3 users |
| community display space |
Fees
Item |
Cost |
| Photocopy & printing (black & white) | $0.25 |
| Lamination (A4 size) | $2.05 |
| Internet (30 minutes) | $1.55 |
| Lamination (ID size) | $1.55 |
| Internet (1 hour) | $2.05 | Damaged book (administrative fee) | $4.10 |
| Damaged book (withdrawn from collection) | full cost |
Collection
- Local newspapers
- Periodicals
- Non-fiction Fiction
- Pacific collection
- Reference Room
- Fijian vernacular
- Hindi vernacular
- Large Print
- CDs (in-house use)
- DVDs (in-house use)
- Pamphlets
FRIENDS of the Suva City Carnegie Library
Energetic and enthusiastic community minded people are needed to revive FRIENDS of the Suva City Carnegie Library. FRIENDS are needed for projects such as enhancing the library collection and facilities, social activities to promote the library, book clubs and library activities for children.
Gift of Reading
Donate a book to the library. Books may be on any subject matter for any age level, published within the last three years or a recent bestseller. By investing in us, your community will have a quality municipal public library which will benefit everyone as access to the library is FREE of charge. “Help us keep history alive”.
National Library Week themes
2009: Libraries – fountain of knowledge
2010: Communities thrive @ libraries
2011: Create your own story @ your library
2012: Reading unlocks the future
2013: Communities matter @ your library
We encourage you to look over the opportunities the library offers to everyone. If you would like to check on these opportunities, please call Alisi Kotoiwasawasa on phone (679) 331 3433 ext 240/238 or email alisi.kotoiwasawasa@scc.org.fj who would be more than happy to be the contact point in bringing you the benefits of using the Suva City Carnegie Library.
