The 75th anniversary of the passage of the NSW Library Act in 1939 is a great opportunity to celebrate the history of NSW public libraries, their achievements and their future.
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NSW was the Australian frontrunner in the Free Library Movement.
Prominent solicitor and businessman Geoffrey Remington founded the Free Library Movement in 1935 and became its chief spokesperson and executive chairman in 1936.
His activities were stimulated by the Munn-Pitt report, which criticised the state of public libraries in Australia and received extensive exposure when it was published in 1935.
In the mid-1930s, there were only two free public libraries in NSW operated by local authorities: Broken Hill Public Library, established in 1906, and the Sydney Municipal Library (now City of Sydney Library), which started operations in 1909.
In 1935 on Sydney’s lower north shore, a meeting of likeminded individuals and associations met at the Chatswood-Willoughby School of the Arts and established the Free Library Movement.
This group was broadly based and comprised of people of all political views: from local councillors to business groups, together with the returned services movement, service clubs, trade unions, parent and citizen associations and teachers.
The group was well organised, speakers were trained and put forth their case on local and national radio, pamphlets were circulated and school children were invited to participate through essay writing competitions – the topic was “The benefits of free public libraries”.
Geoffrey Remington toured the state by train and branches of the Free Library Movement sprang up in regional areas as well as suburban Sydney by the end of 1938.
The then Education Minister DH (David) Drummond, who was keen to see public libraries improved, set up a Libraries Advisory Committee in June 1937 to recommend improvements to library services and draft legislation.
Geoffrey Remington was appointed to the Libraries Advisory Committee by the Minister for Education in 1937.
This committee developed a plan for public libraries in NSW and drafted the bill that became the Library Act 1939.
In early 1939, NSW cabinet agreed in principle to the establishment of a Library School at the Public Library of NSW and adopted in principle the report of the Libraries Advisory Committee.
The draft bill was sent to the Parliamentary Counsel for finalisation. Copies of the Libraries Advisory Committee report were sent out to every institute and school of arts in NSW, to returned services branches, to Country Women’s Associations, all town clerks, elected members and relevant librarians.
It was also distributed to NSW parliamentarians, various government departments to Apex and Rotary clubs around the state.
The Bill was passed in the early morning of 3 November 1939; proclaimed December 22, 1939 and would take effect, apart from financial clauses from June 1, 1940.
Within 18 months of the Act being passed, 32 NSW councils had adopted the Act, seven were already providing library services and 16 councils planned to begin in 1945.
By the end of 1946, a quarter of the people of NSW were being served by a free public library service.
According to historian Sherry Morris in her Book Wagga a History; “A public library was established on May 24, 1946 with the assistance of a subsidy from the state governments Central Library Board. Wagga School of Arts Society agreed after prolonged negotiations to donate its library (books, fittings and library records). The Patriotic Hut in Town Hall reserve was procured from the Mayor’s Patriotic and War Fund and converted into a 'temporary’ library”.
By August 1946 just three months after the commencement of the Wagga Municipal Library it had over 4000 books and 2000 book-borrowers had registered, an astonishing 19.5 per cent of the population.
Today the Wagga Wagga City Library membership has grown to 24,308 or 38 per cent of the population.
Our collection comprises 77,961 items and between July and September of this year there were 81,650 loans of physical items and 19,728 web visits to access the catalogue or download electronic resources.
The Library Act 1939 must rank as one of the great achievements of the NSW community and in turn the government through its creation of a network of public libraries now numbering over 369 libraries.
There was also a national impact. Across Australia, the success of the Free Library Movement following the Munn-Pitt report of 1935 brought about a turning point for libraries.
Legislation was passed in every state between 1939 and 1951 resulting in the establishment of Library Boards, whose chief purposes were to develop local public library services.
Library philanthropist and industrialist Andrew Carnegie was of the view that it was imperative that local citizens embraced their local libraries to ensure their ongoing funding and upkeep from their local authorities.
Carnegie also said: “A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert.”
Today, Wagga City Library is a vibrant community space with extensive services and programs well beyond book lending.
While our programs, library spaces and the technology employed are beyond that dreamt of by the architects of the NSW Library Act; the bedrock public library principles of benefiting and strengthening communities though free library services remains as strong as ever.
On Monday, November 3 Wagga City Library will join public libraries across the state to celebrate the 75th anniversary of a free public library service in NSW.
Drop into the library between 11am and 2pm and enjoy a coffee and cake with us and reflect on how a free public library service has helped to shape our state and country.
Source: Public Library News, August 2014 Brief history of the NSW Library Act 1939
State Library of NSW – Consultant Anne Doherty.
75th Anniversary of a free public library service in NSW
Join us to celebrate the 75th anniversary of a free public library service in NSW. Enjoy a coffee and cake with us and reflect on how a free public library service has helped to shape our state and country.
Where: Wagga City Library
When: Monday, November 3, 11am to 2pm
Cost: Free
Technology Tuesdays
Bring your smart device to learn about how to access our eLibraryServices.
Where: Community Learning Space
When: 3pm to 4pm
Cost: Free
November 4 – Zinio eMagazines
November 18 – Bolinda & Wheelers eBooks
December 2 – Zinio eMagazines
Eat Drink Chemistry
This informative exhibition from the Royal Australian Chemical Institute looks how chemistry is the critical science behind the development of functional foods that have both health-promoting and disease-preventing properties, as well as being tasty and nutritious.
When: October 16 to November 12
Cost: Free
Knittin’ Group
The Knittin' Group is comprised of committed community members who knit and crochet throughout the year for charity. They meet bimonthly on the third Thursday. Contributions of wool for this group will be kindly accepted at the library. New members are welcome.
Where: Community Learning Space
When: 10am to 2pm, November 20, January 22, March 19, May 21
Session information: Wagga City Library, Community Learning Space from 3pm to 4pm
Bookings essential: 6926 9700 or wcl@wagga.nsw.gov.au
Monday: 11am to 6pm
Tuesday to Friday: 10am to 6pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm