Parramatta City Libraries Timeline: 1958 to 2022

1958

Parramatta’s first free Library opened in Jubilee Hall No. 2 on 29 November 1958

Miss Margaret Miller as the first Chief Librarian

The library was opened by Mayor, Alderman DJ Mahoney in front of a crowd of 100 people that included Tom Uren MHR for Reid

1958

A children’s Library was located in Prince Alfred Park at

 Market Street opposite what is now the Riverside Theatres

1959

Dundas Children’s Library was opened in the front room of Dundas Town Hall with the opening times of 3-5 pm Monday to Friday

1959

Granville Branch Library opened in the Granville Town Hall

1963

Ermington & Dundas Branch Library opened

1964

Guildford Branch Library opened

Newly built Central Library building in Civic Place was officially opened

1965

Formation of a joint Library service involving Parramatta City Council and Baulkham Hills Shire Council

Resignation of Miss Margaret Miller as City Librarian

Appointment of Mr. John Taylor as the new Chief Librarian

1971

Library services were established at Baulkham Hills, Castle Hill and Carlingford

1972

The Baulkham Hills based ‘Bookmobile’ service was introduced

1975

The first Local History Librarian was appointed

Granville Branch opened

1978

The Dural branch was opened at Round Corner, Dural.

Another joint library service agreement is reached with Holroyd Council to establish branches at Merrylands, Wentworthville and Greystanes

1979

The Central Library extensions were completed

The Audio-Visual Section was opened

1980

Opening of Wentworthville Branch Library

1983

Introduction of the Housebound Readers Services

1984

Introduction of Saturday afternoon opening

1987

New Bookmobile carrying about 2200 books. (Bruce takes to the road)

1989

Baulkham Hills Shire Council severed ties with Parramatta and resolved to operate their own Library Service

1990

Holyroyd Council followed suit and decided to take responsibility for their Libraries

Opening of Emma Crescent Branch Library (also known as Toongabbie and now Constitutional Hill)

1991

PCC Lib appoints Katherine Mitchell first Young Adult Librarian – a first in NSW.  The collection combined with HSC    books services the 13-18 year olds

1992

Arrival of computerisation for Central and Branches

1993

A new video collection for Audio Visual was opened

Dundas Library Extended and refurbished

1995

Retirement of Miss Winsome Collingridge and appointment of Ms Meredith Wallace as the new Library Manager

CD-ROM technology came to the Information Services Section,

Guildford Library refurbished and extended

Libraries go on-line. Public library provided with a multimedia computer linked to the internet and new information services made possible by Federal government grant

Optus Vision cable to network

Complete refurbishment of Parramatta Central Library, introduction of internet services, multicultural collection, establishment of a lending collection, basic English collection and introduction of CD  Roms

1996

Internet on-line

Launch of the compact Disc music collection.

Language collection now in 13 languages.

The Parramatta Heritage Centre – incorporating the Visitor’s Centre was officially opened on the 29th August 1998.

Chinese (Traditional) Community Language Collection established

Chinese (Simplified) Community Language Collection established

1997

Italian Community Language Collection established

Greek Community Language Collection established

1998

Local Studies & Family History library moved to new location – Parramatta Heritage Centre in August

Vietnamese Community Language Collection established

Turkish Community Language Collection established

1999

Community Information Directory launched

Hindi Community Language Collection established

2000

‘Changing lifestyles open library doors on Sundays’ reads the headlines of the Daily Telegraph on 15 Jan 2000

Technology Learning Centre at Parramatta City Library

Korean Community Language Collection established

2001

Ermington Library extended & refurbished

DVD collection

Multicultural Excellence Awards 2001 for the establishment of a new Korean Collection at Parramatta City Library

Resignation of Ms Meredith Wallace as Library Manager

Appointment of Mr Roger Henshaw as the New Library Manager

2002

Web based catalogue

Parramatta Library refurbished

2003

Talking books available in CDT format

2004

New computer system installed – AMLIB on 13 October 2004

Councils Online with 5 Councils - Parramatta, Hornsby, Randwick, Lake Macquarie and Wyong

2005

Constitution Hill renovations completed

Live Homework Help – now known as Tutor Online

2006

Technology Learning Centre at Ermington Branch Library

Resignation of Mr Roger Henshaw as Library Manager

2007

Technology Learning Centre at Dundas, Guildford, Granville  & Constitution Hill Branch Libraries

Net Loan Pro – Computer reservation system for public use

Parramatta Library ground floor refurbished

August – Naming of Darug Room

Persian Community Language Collection established

2008

RFID – Radio Frequency Identification

50th anniversary Parramatta City Library service - November 29

Parramatta Libraries – 2008 True Local Business Awards Winner Community Service Not-For-Profit Organisation Awarded to Parramatta City Council Library

Multicultural Excellence Award 2008 in recognition of outstanding contribution to Multicultural Library Services, Public Libraries NSW Metropolitan Association Inc. (State Library NSW)

Local Government Multicultural Health Communication Awards 2008 Winner. Parramatta City Council Library "Community Health Promotion for Chinese Community"

2010

Constitution Hill Library connected to Wi-Fi on 8th May

2012

New library software “Symphony” goes live in March

Your Digital Library launch (Wheeler Books) on 17th May

            -100 new eBook readers

            - eBooks, eAudio available 24/7 to the community

2015

RFID – full conversion from magnetic security (3M Tattle tape) to RFID security in November

2016

Parramatta Library, Civic Place closed permanently to make way for the build of the new library on 8 August

Parramatta library relocates to 1-3 Fitzwilliam Street, Parramatta, on 14 August, a temporary premise while the new library is being built in the new Parramatta Square (previously known as Civic Place)

Council Amalgamation on 12 May. Parramatta council now includes sections of Hills Council, Hornsby Council & Auburn Council

 

Granville & Guildford Libraries are now in the Cumberland Council area

Carlingford, Epping, Newington Wentworth Point Libraries are now in the Parramatta Council area 

Proclamation on 12 May - new council is called “The City of Parramatta”

Guildford Library closed – acquired by the new Cumberland Council on 27 September

Newington Library opened - acquired from Auburn Council on 29 September

Granville Library closed - acquired by the new Cumberland Council on 13 October

Epping Library opened – acquired from Hornsby Council on 4 November

Carlingford Library opened – acquired from The Hills Council on 11 November

2020

Earthworks and preparation for construction of 5 Parramatta Square

2021

Construction underway for 5 Parramatta Square

2022

September 2022 - Proposed date of Phive opening