Author(s): Mickey Smith

History

In her book, As You Will: Carnegie Libraries of the South Pacific, artist Mickey Smith documents the historic legacy of 23 Carnegie Libraries erected across the South Pacific, including 18 in NZ.
Named after the successful Scottish-American industrialist Andrew Carnegie, his philanthropic trust established 2,509 library buildings throughout the English-speaking world between 1886 and 1917. Featuring 47 original full-colour photographs as well as 23 historic images, and short texts by AUT Professor of Architecture, Charles Walker and Te Tuhi Artistic Director, Gabriela Salgado, this publication is a memorial to the Carnegie legacy, capturing a grand philanthropic project in decline.

“A mesmerizing and often poignant meditation on technological obsolescence, small-town politics and contradictory ideas of progress.” - Charles Walker