From Shelf to Stage

Books left over from the July sale have been given a new lease on life as part of the set for Local Library, a critically acclaimed production currently playing at Circa Theatre in Wellington.

Written by renowned New Zealand playwright Dave Armstrong, the play celebrates the vital role libraries play in community life through the story of an unlikely friendship between a head librarian and a regular patron. To create an authentic library atmosphere, the production team sought real books to fill the shelves of the set.

Those books came from the MCHL book sale. They were unwanted library books that had first been offered for sale to the community, but when they remained unsold, they were donated. This means that genuine library books are now appearing on stage, night after night.

Producer Dave Armstrong and set designer William Smith thanked MCHL staff for the donation, saying the books had brought “warmth, texture, and an unmistakable sense of authenticity” to the production.

“It feels particularly fitting that real books from a real New Zealand library are part of what audiences see on stage each night,” they said. “In a small but meaningful way,  Manawatū Community Hub Libraries is part of every performance — and we think that’s rather lovely.”

MCHL Manager Robyn Ballard said the story highlights the many ways library resources can continue serving communities beyond their time on the shelves.

“Libraries are all about connecting people with stories, ideas and experiences, so it’s wonderful to see retired books helping tell another story in such a creative way,” said Ballard.

“When items are withdrawn from our collections, we always look for opportunities to give them a second life. Knowing these books are contributing to a production that celebrates libraries and the important role they play in communities makes this particularly special.”

For the MCHL team, it’s a reminder that while some books may leave library shelves, their stories don’t end there.

These former library books have simply turned the page and taken to the stage, proving that sometimes the best stories begin after the final checkout.

For more information on the production visit: Local Library – Circa Theatre