The Nola Millar Library is Toi Whakaari’s library. Named after the school’s first director, it is the most comprehensive specialist library of its kind in New Zealand.
The library collects theatre, dance and performing arts books, published plays and screenplays, periodicals and audio-visual material. It provides services to Toi Whakaari’s students and staff as well as the New Zealand School of Dance. Members of the wider performing arts community can join on payment of a subscription (details below).
The Nola Millar Library contains
The library is located on the main floor of Te Whaea opposite reception. We are trialing a new system in which the library is accessible by Toi Whakaari & NZSD students & staff using their swipe-cards anytime Te Whaea is open and reception is staffed.
During term time this is:
Monday 7.30am-8.30pm
Tuesday 7.30am-8.30pm
Wednesday 7 .30am-8.30pm
Thursday 7.30am-8.30pm
Friday 7.30am-5.30pm
Saturday 8.00am-4.00pm
Opening hours may vary during specific weeks in the Toi Whakaari calendar. The Nola Millar Library is closed over the Christmas and New Year’s period.
The library is staffed part-time and public opening hours are generally:
Monday 10am-5pm
Tuesday 10am-5pm
Wednesday 1pm-5pm
Thursday 10am-5pm
Friday 10am-3pm
Please note these hours are indicative only and can vary. We welcome visits from the public and subscription members, alumni, or Victoria University of Wellington Theatre & Script-writing students during these times, though it’s best to make an appointment to ensure someone will be available.
Toi Whakaari & NZSD students can reserve items via the catalogue. Staff and subscription members can submit requests to reserve items by email.
Room and equipment booking enquiries can also be made by email.
The services offered to Toi Whakaari staff and students include lending, interlibrary loan, help with questions, viewing facilities, computer and internet access and the teaching of research skills. Services offered to subscription members may vary. The Library is a collaborative space and at times may be used for tutorials or lectures. Visitors are still welcome to use the library during these times.
Access the Nola Millar Library catalogue here.
Join the Nola Millar Library to borrow from our extensive performing arts collection.
Individuals not enrolled at Toi Whakaari can become subscription members. Nola Millar Library policies apply to all memberships. Though they are welcome to use the library’s resources, membership may be restricted for secondary school students and students of other performing arts institutions.
Please fill out the membership form and email or post it to:
Nola Millar Library
Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School
PO Box 7146, Newtown, Wellington 6242.
Contact the Library before your visit to ensure staff are available to help. We will post resources to members who live outside the Wellington suburban transport region. The library pays the outgoing postage; the borrower pays the return postage. You can reserve items via the catalogue or contact the library by email or you can phone us with your request. There is no limit to the number of items you can borrow. The loan period is 30 days for books and plays, and 14 days for audio‐visual material. Provided that items are not needed by another borrower the item will renew automatically. The membership holder is responsible for any items checked out on their card and they will be charged for lost items.
You can use the online catalogue to find resources. There are three search options — two for general searching (a basic search and an advanced one with more options), and one for searching the play collection. In the Play Search you can search by cast number, cast analysis, genre, length, etc.
The library is resourced to serve Toi Whakaari and the New Zealand School of Dance. This is reflected in the collections and the areas of expertise of staff. If you’re having trouble finding suitable material, the Dramanet national forum has been established to help drama teachers to share resources. Another source of information is the National Library Services for Schools. Other websites which provide a cast breakdown and synopsis of plays are Playmarket and Doollee. Other sources for borrowing or hiring single copies and sets of copies of plays are your local public library, Theatre New Zealand or PlayBureau.
