In 1955 the Rotary Club of Parramatta and its president, Mr M Shephard decided that the clubs project for the year. It would be the building of a children’s library for the people of Parramatta. During that year the use of land in Prince Alfred Park was approved by the New South Wales Lands Department.
The Rotary Club financed the construction of the building with Parramatta Council meeting some of the cost. Plans of the library were shown during a Parramatta Council Meeting.
“They show an ultra modern style contemporary building, with use of large areas of glass to provide natural daylight lighting in the interior.”
The library will cater for the 6-16 age range and included various modern features including: large window, a porch, cork floors, washbasins, a relaxing colour palette, a workroom and toilet facilities.
A library association was formed in 1956 from representatives from primary and high schools, colleges and other community groups. The “Library Association, who are depending upon a great deal of help from the business community, local schools, parents, and well wishers for the funds to carry the project through to a successful opening.”
The children library received donations of books and monetary value, including a generous 400 pounds from a Rotary member.
The library officially opened in the week of 26th Feb 1958. The Mayor at the time Alderman AJ Mahoney praised the work done by the Library Association, the Rotary Club and the public.
“He said the library had been built in a most suitable setting. It would stimulate culture and education in children of the city”
At this time there was over 1800 books available for the childrens library, thought more would be needed. Most of these resources had been provided by the Soroptomist and Inner Wheel clubs of Parramatta.
It was also at the opening of the Children’s library that the Mayor announced that Parramatta would soon get a library of it’s own. And the children’s library would become a branch of the main Parramatta Library.
Emma Stockburn, Research Facilitator, Family History, Parramatta Heritage Center, City of Parramatta, 2021.
References
New Children's Library Has Ultra-Modern Design (1957, January 9). The Cumberland Argus (Parramatta, NSW : 1950 - 1962), p. 15. Retrieved August 13, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132134776
In Pictures: Daily Mirror, November 11 1958: Research Library Vertical Files.
Children's Library Opening (1958, January 22). The Cumberland Argus (Parramatta, NSW : 1950 - 1962), p. 13. Retrieved August 12, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132133724
Help Children's Library (1957, April 24). The Cumberland Argus (Parramatta, NSW : 1950 - 1962), p. 10. Retrieved August 12, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132132036
Children's Library Donation (1956, March 21). The Cumberland Argus (Parramatta, NSW : 1950 - 1962), p. 3. Retrieved August 12, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131391765
£400 GIFT TOWARDS CHILDREN'S LIBRARY (1956, May 30). The Cumberland Argus (Parramatta, NSW : 1950 - 1962), p. 1. Retrieved August 12, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131390632
CHILDREN'S LIBRARY ASSOCIATION FORMED (1956, May 9). The Cumberland Argus (Parramatta, NSW : 1950 - 1962), p. 1. Retrieved August 12, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131389037
Mayor Commends Children's Library (1957, June 5). The Cumberland Argus (Parramatta, NSW : 1950 - 1962), p. 1. Retrieved August 12, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132129637
PARRAMATTA WILL GET LIBRARY THIS YEAR (1958, February 26). The Cumberland Argus (Parramatta, NSW : 1950 - 1962), p. 1. Retrieved August 12, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132136116
PARK SITE FOR LIBRARY (1955, December 14). The Cumberland Argus (Parramatta, NSW : 1950 - 1962), p. 1. Retrieved August 12, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131390999
LIBRARY ROTARY CLUB PROJECT (1957, January 23). The Cumberland Argus (Parramatta, NSW : 1950 - 1962), p. 16. Retrieved August 13, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132129426