Tonga to open first public library using donations from Auckland libraries

Tonga will open its first public library next month in the village of Kolovai, with thousands of books donated by Auckland Council libraries, reports RNZ.

The campaign to open the library began when South Auckland couple Kahoa and Brendan Corbett visited Kolovai following a devastating cyclone that left the community with few books. The new library has been established in an abandoned house, with donations from New Zealanders including not only books but also shelves, laptops and bikes.

Auckland Council libraries set up the library catalogue system for the Kolovai public library. While Tonga has a 99 percent literacy rate, it hasn’t previously had an official public library, but it does have community venues with some resources including books.

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