Archibald Dunningham

Archie Dunningham was City Librarian of Dunedin Public Library from 1933-1960. He began his career as an assistant in the General Assembly Library in Wellington in 1929, and became Deputy Chief Librarian of Wellington Public Library in 1932.

Dunningham was one of the founders of modern librarianship in New Zealand, and his goal was to make available to the public the widest possible range of books. In partnership with the Otago Education Board he developed a school library service. He also worked with the Otago Hospital Board to provide a library service to patients.

Dunningham was captain of the library branch of the Army Education and Welfare Service from 1942 to 1946. In 1953 he spent a year in Indonesia as a UNESCO library adviser.

Throughout his career Dunningham was an active member of the New Zealand Library Association, of which he was elected a Fellow in 1955, and President in 1956.

The Dunningham Suite on the 4th floor of Dunedin City Library in Moray Place is named in his honour.