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  1. Home
  2. Library, Arts and History
  3. History
  4. History of the Burdekin Library
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History of the Burdekin Library

School of Arts libraries

1896

A School of Arts committee for Ayr was formed seven years after land had been reserved for this purpose.

1909

The first trustees for the Ayr School of Arts were appointed.

1923

First Home Hill School of Arts committee formed in July and library opened in October.

1926

Giru School of Arts opened.

1928

Rita Island School of Arts erected. 

1950

Free children's library opened in Home Hill in July 1950.

1980

Home Hill Memorial Hall handed over to Council

Council run library service

1983

April 23– Tenders are called for construction of the Burdekin Library
June 22– Tender from J. B. Malas accepted for construction, and tender from R. & K. Bonato Electrical accepted for the electrical work
June – Invitations for Chief Librarian and Children’s Librarian positions circulated
August 29 – Jeff McInerney’s first day as Chief Librarian
October 12 – Carol Stableford becomes the first Children’s Librarian
December 15 – First shipment of books is received (totalling 10% of the collection)
December 21– Commonwealth Employment Program allows for the hiring of two library assistants

1984

January – Mirka Mora completes a mural for the library
January 18 – Carol, the Children’s Librarian, says the Burdekin Library definitely won’t be a “Shh, shh” library
January 27 – The computer system is installed (a Vax 750 computer with ‘Book Software’)
Early March – The Reading Toad library logo is released

March 31 – OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE BURDEKIN LIBRARY – The Burdekin Library was officially opened at 3.00pm by Shire Chairman John Trace.
A week of festivities was organised with a Queensland Ballet performance, a market in the plaza, Queensland Theatre Orchestra performances, a Family Quiz Show, and the ‘Brigadoon’ musical performed by the Ayr Choral Society.

Exhibitions were displayed throughout the library and theatre, including an exhibition of pottery, The Stained Glass of Gary Burgess, batik from Utopia, Women at Work ’84, A History of Kites, How to Spin, a lapidary (gemstone) display, and a Puppet Theatre. Students from James Cook University and volunteers from the Burdekin Community Youth dressed up as clowns, performed street theatre, acted as guides and entertained.

April 7 – OFFICIAL OPENING OF HOME HILL BRANCH LIBRARY – The Home Hill Branch Library was officially opened at 10.30am by Cr J. T. Hinkson.
April 10 – First Book issued (at that stage members were allowed to borrow two books for two weeks)
June 21 – First school holiday program released, including clay modelling, creative games, fence painting and children’s crafts
June 21-27 – First Book Week celebrated (the theme was ‘Books Have It Covered’)

1985

February 15– First overdue notices sent out (for books months overdue)
November – First issue of Blink! produced

1987

June 10 – First microfiche/microfilm reader installed at the Burdekin Library

1991

February 7 – Home Hill Library closed due to flooding

1994

April 6 – ‘Black Snow and Liquid Gold’ published by John Kerr, coinciding with the tenth anniversary library celebrations

2003

December 3– New Library Logo launched (Barramundi and Sugarcane)

2004

March 24 – Online Library Catalogue launched!
June 18– A Library Train mural is painted outside the library by Aicey Zaro and six High School students

2007

March - Revamp of teen area
May – Home Hill Branch opening hours changed for first time in 20-odd years 
November – Garden reading area with mosaic tiles created in Ayr

2008

March 4 – Launch of solar panel project for Home Hill Branch

2009

March 31-April 4 – 25th birthday celebrations

2010

November – Heritage grant for restoration of Mirka Mora mural received

2011

May 3 – New library hours for Ayr library since opening – 9.30-5.00 Tuesday to Friday and 9.00-4.00 on Saturday.

2012

Restoration of Mirka Mora mural and introduction of new logo and refurbishment of circulation desk Ayr.

2014

January – New wheeled shelving installed in Ayr 
March 31 – 30th birthday celebrations for Ayr
April 7 – 30th birthday celebrations for Home Hill

2015

January 5 – Burdekin Library opens on Mondays for the first time ever.
August – Ideas@108 space opened

145 Young St, Ayr QLD 4807

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