An open secret - Dunedin’s hidden library

Librarian Christine Powley celebrates the Southern Heritage Trust open day in one of the oldest buildings in Dunedin, the Dunedin Athenaeum and Mechanics’ Institute.

She said the subscription library was built about 150 years ago and not many locals knew about the library, which was located at the lower Octagon.

"I think so many people have walked past, even people who have lived in Dunedin all their lives, and so many of them are never aware the athenaeum is down the corridor," she said.

The athenaeum had an open day on Saturday for the Southern Heritage Trust Heritage Festival, to give people a chance to come and explore the building that houses more than 14,000 books.