Imagine a world without books. Randwick Library stands as a beacon against such a world. It offers a treasure trove of knowledge and community engagement.
Randwick Library, officially named the Margaret Martin Library, is more than just a building. It is a portal to countless stories and a hub for lifelong learning. Let’s step inside and uncover its story.
As early as 1860, Randwick Council recognized the need for a local library. They set aside ten pounds for its establishment. But it wasn’t until August 1945 that Alderman Dwyer proposed a municipal library in Kingsford. Negotiations failed. A temporary library was suggested near Randwick Town Hall. In June 1951, Lionel Frost Bowen, the youngest mayor of Randwick, laid the foundation stone. On July 12, 1952, Randwick’s first free public library opened. It had a book stock of 9,500 items.
In November 1953, the mobile library service began. Two articulated vans served residents and 21 schools. These vans became local folklore. Bob Carr, a patron of the service, fondly remembered them.
In 1969, the central library moved to a new building at Maroubra. It also served as a senior citizens center. The building cost $280,000. It stood on the eastern side of Anzac Parade.
Funding libraries has always been a challenge. In 1975, Randwick Council spent $455,667 on library services. The NSW government provided a subsidy of $94,845. At that time, the library had 95,000 books. It had 500,000 circulations per year. There were 39,000 registered borrowers.
In January 1976, Randwick and Botany Councils created a Joint Library Service. Branches opened at Mascot and Botany Town Hall. Services continued at Maroubra. New branches opened at Matraville in 1978 and Randwick in 1990. Local politics led to the dissolution of the joint service in 1983.
The “Mother’s Day Fire” in May 1987 was a traumatic event. The Maroubra central branch library burned. 55,000 adult books were destroyed. The library’s audio-visual collection was lost. Staff were distressed to see the library burnt out.
The new Maroubra Central Branch Library opened on September 9, 1991. It was named after Lionel Frost Bowen MP. The building cost between $7.5-8 million. It had a computerised lending system. It included a local history room. There was an auditorium and parking.
In 1992, community action saved Malabar Library from closure. Malabar Branch was renovated. An outdoor library was added in 2011.
Randwick Library Service has had several library managers. Mr. Desmond Ryan managed from 1952 to 1973. Ms. Veronica Young managed from 1974 to 1987. Ms. Robyn Ward managed from 1987 to 1998. Ms. Julie Jarvis managed from 1999 to 2006. Ms. Barbara Todes managed from 2006 to present.
Randwick Library is a modern service. It is committed to lifelong learning. It engages the community through books and electronic resources. It hosts author talks and community activities.
In 2019/20, the library held 1,351 events. 30,064 people attended.
In 2019/20, there were 599,392 visits to the Library Homepage. There were 547,319 online resource searches.
The Randwick Branch Library was renamed the Margaret Martin Library. This honored Randwick City’s first female mayor. The Margaret Martin Library offers various services. These include a toy library and computer services. It also has boardrooms and programmed events.
Today, Randwick Library continues to evolve. It adapts to the changing needs of the community. It remains a vital resource for knowledge. It is a gathering place for all. As you leave, consider the words you’ve encountered here today. Maybe you discovered something new about Randwick Library.