Take a step back in time and discover the evolution of the City of Armadale's Library Service as part of the celebrations for its diamond anniversary next week.
A fascinating display of images and facts will be showcased at the Birtwistle Local Studies Library portraying the history of the three libraries as part of the 60th anniversary celebrations from Wednesday 30 May to the end of June.
Giveaways for children and a cake will also be shared with patrons who visit any of the three libraries during the morning on Wednesday 30 May.
The City of Armadale Mayor Henry Zelones OAM, JP said the display will highlight how far the library services have come since the first Armadale Library opened in Jull Street in 1958.
“Since the Armadale Library's opening, it has moved twice to eventually settle in its current location in the Armadale Shopping Centre in 2010.
“The City expanded its library services in 1960 with the opening of the Kelmscott Library and again in 1990 when it opened the Seville Grove Library on Champion Drive, formerly the Westfield Library.
A new chapter in the history of the Seville Grove Library will also be written next month when the library temporarily closes until autumn 2019, while it receives a makeover.
“This is an exciting time in the Library's history, and the upgrades will include an improved building design with more flexible space for customers,” added Mayor Zelones.
The 60th anniversary will also be an occasion for the libraries to celebrate how far they have come in terms of location, technology, size and services over the past 60 years.
“The way libraries operate has also changed over the years to accommodate the changing needs of its users. Libraries are not just places for research, relaxing with a book or borrowing books, they have meeting spaces, and host events and workshops as well.”
Today the City boasts three vibrant public libraries, a stock of approximately 84,000 items, and 37 staff who provide a range of services.
Timeline:
| 1956: | Armadale-Kelmscott Road Board meeting to discuss the requirements of establishing a free library |
| May 1958: | The first Armadale Library opened in Jull Street |
| February 1960: | The Kelmscott Library opened |
| 1972: | The Armadale Library relocated to a new building on the old Minnawarra estate near the Council offices |
| 1979: | Kelmscott Library upgraded |
| 1990: | Westfield Library (now Seville Grove Library) opened |
| 2004: | Kelmscott Library moves to Albany Highway |
| January 2010: | Armadale Library moves to current location inside the Armadale Central Shopping Centre |
| 2016: | Kelmscott Library moves to current location at Kelmscott Stargate Shopping Centre |
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