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HE PURAPURA MARARA SCATTERED SEEDS
City Library Prayer Space
Development of the Spiritual & Prayer Space in the Dunedin City Library
The proposal to develop a prayer space within the City Library was consistent with the role of public libraries to provide spaces that reflect and support of the diversity of the community. Key Drivers to the development of the City Library prayer spaces were:
- Increasing cultural diversity within Dunedin community, resettlement of former Syrian refugees in Dunedin (2016)
- Community requests for quiet space for prayer (Red Cross Homework Group for former Syrian refugees)
- Limited options within Dunedin City Library and central city for quiet prayer across Interfaith spectrum
Consultation and Planning
About Dunedin:
- Location - South Island of New Zealand Aotearoa
- Population (2022) - 134,000
- Indigenous people, Kai Tahu - 1280-1320
- Scottish immigrant settlement - 1848
- University of Otago - Founded 1869
- Dunedin Public Library - Founded 1908
- UNESCO City of Literature - 2014
The prayer spaces were developed after a period of consultation with cultural leaders in the community and considerable research investigating similar spaces in other institutions:
- Research into existing prayer spaces within libraries (2018/19)
- Site Visit to University of Otago Prayer Space (2019)
- Consultation with Dunedin Community Interfaith Council (2019/21)
- Consultation with Otago Muslim Association (2019/21)
- Usage protocols discussed and confirmed with Community Interfaith Council representatives (2021)
Design and Build
In November 2020, space was identified on the first floor of the City Library and two areas measuring 15m2 were partitioned off in preparation for the build. The Spiritual & Prayer Space was formally opened in August 2021.
Each of the two private rooms within the Spiritual and Prayer Space accommodates up to 6 people. One of the rooms is exclusively for women of all faiths. The other room is for all genders and faiths. The rooms are available for up to 30 minutes at a time, and access to them is mediated by staff to ensure safety and privacy.
Community Response
There has been overwhelming support from the Dunedin Community Interfaith Council and Otago Muslim Association, but there have also been some critical media reporting and letters.
Use of the space was limited during the COVID-19 restrictions in place from September 2021 to June 2022, but the rooms have seen increasing usage since then.
On 18th August 2022, Bernie Hawke, Tumuaki Wharepukapuka o Ōtepoti, Director of Library Services for Kā Kete Wānaka o Ōtepoti, Dunedin Public Libraries gave a presentation via Zoom to the Centre for Excellence on Empathy, Equity and Diversity in Canada. The purpose of the presentation was to provide an overview of the development of the public prayer spaces at Dunedin City Library.
Date22nd August 2022External LinkArticle link: Public Libraries of New Zealand website, by Hilary Beaton, 27th August 2021Interview with Jesse Mulligan on Radio New Zealand: Mixed reception to Dunedin library interfaith space plan, 24th November 2020Otago Daily Times article by Grant Miller, 19th November 2020Otago Daily Times article by Grant Miller, 25th November 2020Otago Daily Times article by Grant Miller, 28th September 2021