Michael Wooliscroft, City Librarian

Michael Wooliscroft became Dunedin City Librarian in 1978 (Barbara Moorhouse having been Acting City Librarian since Mary Ronnie's departure in 1976). He was previously Deputy City Librarian at Canterbury Public Library. He had also worked at Wellington Public Library whle working on his BA at Victoria University and subsequent Diploma at NZ Library School. He had been involved in the planning of the new Christchurch Central Library, so came to Dunedin well-prepared to oversee the final stages of the new Dunedin City Library build on Civic Plaza and the three-week challenge of moving the collections from the former library buildings to their new home. During his tenure, Mr Wooliscroft successfully defended Dunedin Public Library against a reduction in opening hours threatened in 1980, on the basis that it would have caused a public outcry.