Did you know...?

Posted: Tuesday Aug 27, 2024

Dunedin Public Libraries is home to the most extensive collection of hymnology resources in New Zealand, thanks to the generosity of the late Professor Colin Gibson.

Professor Gibson was a long-time supporter of Dunedin Public Libraries, not only as a patron but as a major donor.
His interest in collecting hymn books and scholarly studies of this genre grew naturally out of his writing and publishing activities, sharpened by an awareness that, apart from a few private collections, there were no major national archives of the hundreds of different hymn books used in New Zealand churches or of the significant work of New Zealand writers and composers in this field.

Since 1981, his generous donations of hymn books and reference materials have significantly enriched the library's hymnology collection, establishing a valuable resource for scholars and enthusiasts alike.
The collection's special strength lies in its New Zealand material, while providing an international and complementary context of hymnbooks and studies for the use of scholars and the public. Today the Colin Gibson Hymnology Collection contains over 2,300 books and continues to grow through regular purchases and donations.

You can learn more about the Colin Gibson Hymnology Collection by visiting
Hymnology Collection | Dunedin Public Library official website (dunedinlibraries.govt.nz)