Nelson City Council

Nelson history on film – at a News brief library near you

Posted by Nelson Public Libraries on 10 June 2011

What is the Medianet?

Imagine having over 150,000 slices of New Zealand’s film and television history, from 1895 to the present, at your fingertips - and you don’t have to travel further than the Elma Turner library.

The New Zealand Film Archive is available on-site at the Elma Turner Library from 10 June, providing immediate access to hundreds of titles and an online portal to over 150,000 feature films, short films, newsreels, documentaries,  home movies, music videos, TV shows, commercials, experimental films and video arts - all for free.

The Friends of the Nelson Library have been instrumental in supporting the initiative.  A launch function early next month will feature a presentation of an illuminating tour of national and Nelson’s local history from the Film Archive’s Diane McAllen. The presentation includes rare archival footage from Nelson’s colorful past including the Queen’s royal tour, shots of the growing city throughout the decades, the local outrage when the last of the railway tracks were pulled up and Nelsonians at work and play - look closely, you might even know someone on screen.

Nelson Libraries’ Information Services Librarian Susan Price says a trial installation had proved popular already. “Having the Film Archive’s collection available here in Nelson should be a real hit with locals,” she says. “The Nelson-related content has been great so far and we’re looking forward to pressing the button on the full Film Archive service in June.” Meanwhile, the service also offers a portal to the full array of Film Archive content which can be distributed on request.

Researchers, students, inquisitive citizens or even just Joe or Jane Public with a few hours to spare can get access to a lifetime of New Zealand’s moving image history.

Where to view the Medianet?

The New Zealand Film Archive Medianet is available on-site at the Elma Turner Library during the opening hours.

(Book your Medianet session on PC11-PC22).

 

Find out more

Find out more about the Film Archive and national Medianet project