Finders keepers: the making of a collection

The Team from Alexander Turnbull Library

The Friends of the Turnbull Library supports the work of the Alexander Turnbull Library, and promotes public interest in the Library’s collections.

Date: Wednesday, 23 October, 2019
Time: 5:30pm to 6:30pm
Cost: Free event. You don't need to book. Koha from non-members is appreciated.
Location: Taiwhanga Kahau — Auditorium (lower ground floor), Corner Molesworth and Aitken Streets, Wellington. Entrance on Aitken Street.

Dame Fiona Kidman and the Turnbull collections
Dame Fiona Kidman is a literary star and a much-loved author of many award-winning novels. She has been using Turnbull resources — and also contributing to them — for nearly fifty years. She says her books such as the historical novels 'The Captive Wife', 'The Infinite Air' and 'This Mortal Boy' would have been impossible without access to the Turnbull’s amazing collections.

Fiona was both secretary and chair of many organisations, including PEN (NZ) — now the NZ Society of Authors including PEN; and the NZ Book Council; as well as producer of RNZ's 'Writing' programme for 7 years. Over the years she accumulated a large body of personal correspondence and recordings from literary luminaries, including Dame Ngaio Marsh, Frank Sargeson, Janet Frame, Denis Glover and others, as well as artists, educators and politicians. She describes herself as a hoarder, but this significant body of correspondence, tapes and personal manuscripts has all found its way to the Turnbull.

Fiona will talk about some of the material she has gathered over her life.