Libraries.

I am a Friend of the State Library of New South Wales, and each quarter receive their journal Open Book. The articles are always interesting, and I love the regular one, The library that made me. The guest writer talks about their favourite library or what library means to them. I find these articles interesting and turn to them first.

It also had me thinking about the libraries that ‘made’ me, so here is my story.

I don’t remember a time when I couldn’t read and as such many libraries have been in my life.

I remember the mobile library, from Rockdale turning up at my school, Althestane Public School, Arncliffe and being ushered into this long, narrow truck, with shelves on both sides and being told what section I could borrow from. The joy a selecting a book to read.

Then we moved and the next two libraries were the school library at Jannali Public School. I remember reading The Little Bookroom by Eleanor Farjon. There is a bookshop of that name in Fitzroy, Victoria. It was in the Melbourne CBD in 1998, and I went a shopped there.

The second one was the local council library at Sutherland. I was old enough to take myself there and was able to borrow several books at once. Here I discovered Ivan Southall, and Hesba Brinsmead. Their books, Hill End, Ash Road and Pastures of the Blue Crane, still live on my bookshelf.

Another move at the beginning of high school saw me attend a school with a big library, divided into Forms 1-4 (yrs 7-10) and Forms 5-6 (yrs 11-12). This library was well used, and I was, for several terms a Library Monitor.

There was no close local library, but the trusty mobile library was in use. I remember seeing it pull away from its spot, (early) and then not having any new books to read and getting fined for having late books. I was thrilled when Panania Library was opened in the 1970’s. While it was a walk from home, I loved it and the joy of selecting new books each visit was just bliss. I am still a member of this library, as is my husband and our daughters were also members.

Over the years I have belonged to both Parramatta and Rockdale libraries, when working in the areas.

Libraries also became my work, as I was a teacher/librarian in public schools before I retired. The joy of encouraging the next generation of readers, was a privilege.

Here are some links, you might find useful.

NSW State Library   NSW State Library

The Little Bookroom, Fitzroy   littlebookroon

National Library of Australia national

Ivan Southall Ivan

Hesba Brinsmead Hesba