Below is an interesting summary of the history of the State Library of SA's lending services, along with some key milestones in the growth of the independent public library network.
This
chronology is based on work done by State Library staff, with some degree of State Library-centric focus. Much of this chronology is based on a set of references shown at the bottom of this post.
1860: The South Australian Institute moves into the Institute
Building, which is officially opened on 29 January 1861.
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| South Australian
Institute between 1860 and 1863 (Building still standing corner of North Tce & Kintore Ave) |
Across the State there are 27 Institute circulating
libraries, increasing to a maximum of 306 by 1930.
1874/5: A free reference library is established within the Institute
Library, funded by the government.
1884: On 1 July, the South Australian Institute is replaced by the
Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery. A number of the books from the Institute
go to the Public Library in the new Jervois Building, which is opened on 18
December. The rest of the books become the Adelaide Circulating Library and
remain in the Institute Building.
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| Jervois Building
c1880 |
1898: The Free Libraries Act allows councils to establish free
libraries after a poll of rate payers. No free public libraries are established.
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| The "Public Library" on North Tce 1908 |
1915: On 16 February, the Public Library opens the Children’s Library, in the 1884 Public Library building in the room on the ground floor overlooking North Terrace.
1938: Country Lending Service of Public Library is established 1
October with just over 4,000 volumes.
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| Country Lending
Building 1942 |
1941: A school box service is introduced, sending boxes to schools
and kindergartens. A library service for the Navy, Army and Air Forces is
provided through the Country Lending Services.
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The Packing Room of Country
Lending Services
|
1946: On 19 March, the Public Library establishes the Adelaide
Lending Service.
1954: Lending commences from the Children’s Library, to meet the
needs of the children bedridden by the polio epidemic.
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Children’s Library
|
MP for Norwood Don Dunstan calls for free libraries in a
speech to the Estimates debates in Parliament in November.
1955: The Libraries (Subsidies) Act is passed, which provides State Government support to libraries funded and run by municipal councils. The Act
does not require that the libraries be free for the public to access.
1957: On 9 August, the Public Library establishes Youth Lending
Service.
On 11 December, the Premier Sir Thomas Playford opens the first
free council rate-supported public library in the Elizabeth South Shopping Centre. The
land and building were provided by the South Australian Housing Trust and the council provides the staff and operating costs.
1967: On 6 April, Public Library of South Australia is renamed the
State Library of South Australia. The Bastyan Wing is officially opened 25 May,
at a cost of over $3 million.
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| "Public Library" front entrance |
Local public libraries serve 48% of the population of the State. The rest are dependent on services provided by the Country Lending Service and Adelaide Lending Services.
1970: The Mander-Jones Report The future role of the Institutes Association and Institutes Libraries in South Australia is published. The Dunstan Government rejects the report in favour of free, government subsidised libraries for the State. A Public Libraries Branch is established within the State Library to support the growth and development of local government public libraries.
1973: Country Lending Services split from Subsidised Libraries Branch and amalgamate with Adelaide Lending Service to become Adult Lending Services.
Children’s Library, Country Children’s Book Service and Youth Lending Service amalgamate to become Juvenile Services Branch within the State Library.
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Youth Lending Services
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1974: Adult Lending Services to prisons commences.
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| From the Annual Report of the Libraries Board of
South Australia, 1978-79 |
1975: South Australia becomes the first State to introduce a model of public library service utilising local school libraries; particularly in small rural communities of less than 3,000 people where local councils are unlikely to be able to fund a "main street" public library. These libraries became known as School Community Libraries.
1976: Adult Lending Services commences services to homes,
hospitals throughout the state in areas not served by public libraries and to
homes, hospitals and housebound individuals in the Adelaide City Council area.
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| From the Annual Report of the Libraries Board of
South Australia, 1982-83 |
1977: The Dunstan Government sets up an
enquiry into library services, chaired by Board Chairman Jim Crawford.
The 1st School Community Library opens on 7 October at Pinnaroo.
The State Library develops a demonstration mobile library.
Adult Lending Services introduces cassette books.
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| From the Annual Report of the Libraries Board of
South Australia, 1975-76 |
1978: The Crawford Report is published, recommending a bipartisan funding model for local government libraries. The recommendation is accepted by the state government.
1979: Public Libraries Division expands to support ongoing library growth and moves from North Terrace to The Parade Norwood.
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From the Annual Report of the Libraries Board of South Australia, 1960-61
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1980: Public Libraries Division splits from the State Library
Division.
1982: The Libraries Act (1982) codifies much of the practices which shape the State's public library network.
The Reference Library stops lending its materials.
Lending Services begin Automated Circulation.
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The
first day of computers in the State Library
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1983: Managements of Institutes transfers from the Council of
Institutes Association of South Australia to the Libraries Board.
1986: On 16 December the Hon. Barbara Wiese, Minister of Local
Government, officially opened Lending Services.
Lending Services has an information literacy, technology and
lifelong learning focus, and offers specialised multilingual and multimedia
collections.
A Computer Resource Centre is established at the State Library, with the aim of
assisting customers develop or increase their computing skills. Six PCs are lent by local computer firms, and Macs, scanners and printers are purchased. The
CRC charges for printing, and over the next few years will earn enough revenue
that all equipment, consumables, software and PC replacement will be
self-funded.
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Customers using the Computer Resource Centre
1996
|
1988: Public Libraries Automated Information Network (PLAIN) - a computerised Inter-Library Loan & e-procurement system - is established,
providing public libraries with online selection of new materials and access to materials across the state in an automated ILL system.
1989: Jill Gael is appointed as Acting Manager, Lending Services
to delineate the role of Lending Services, without replicating the services
provided by local libraries. Public Libraries Branch (re-named PLAIN Central Services) moves from Norwood to Hindmarsh.
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PLAIN Central Services offices at 7 Milner St Hindmarsh
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1990: A Report on the
Development of a South Australian Library and Information Service recommends
that metropolitan lending services be taken over by the City of Adelaide. A Memorandum
of Understanding is signed by the Premier and the President of the Local
Government Association giving responsibility for public library support
services to the Local Government Services Support Bureau.
1991: An agreement is reached between the Board and the City of
Adelaide for the delivery of a Lending Library. State Library Lending Services are
then close, and the City of Adelaide Lending Library opens, operating from within
the State Library.
1994: On 20 December, The City of Adelaide Lending Library transfers
from joint to sole ownership by the City of Adelaide.
2001: In April, construction of the Building Redevelopment project
begins. The Bastyan Wing is closed for public use in August, and temporary
services are provided from the Institute and Jervois Buildings. The City of Adelaide
Lending Library operates out of what is now the Hetzel Lecture theatre in the
Institute Building.
2003: Towards 2010:
Developing the Public Library Network of South Australia is released;
recommending changes to the governance and role of PLAIN Central Services.
2009: In July, after significant reforms and staff reductions Public Library Services (renamed from PLAIN Central Services) moves to the State Library after 30 years at Norwood and Hindmarsh.
2011: A 10 year funding and governance agreement for the public library network is agreed to and signed by the State Government and the Local Government Association.
2012: In May the One Card consortium - which connects all libraries on one shared Library Management System - commences with Mitcham & Onkaparinga being the 1st 2 libraries connected.
2013: The Adelaide City Council Library will leave the State
Library building and move to new premises in Rundle Mall.
Some sources used as the basis of this post are:
Samuels, B, 1989. The Evolution of the State Library: An Historical Chronology. Bibliophile, Vol 2 No 3, 17
Samuels, B, 1990. The Evolution of the State Library: An Historical Chronology Part II: 1900-1965. Bibliophile, Vol 3 No 1, 14
Samuels, B, 1990. The Evolution of the State Library: An Historical Chronology Part III: 1967-1987. Bibliophile, Vol 3 No 2, 8
- Spooner, C and Bell, M, 2011. A selective chronology of the State Library of South Australia and its forerunners, accessible online at http://guides.slsa.sa.gov.au/history
