Adapting to changing times and community needs throughout the decades has seen the Stanton Library remain a valuable local hub.
The Stanton Library turns 60 this month and was named after James Street Stanton, Mayor of North Sydney. He was a champion for the establishment of free municipal libraries in the late 1930s.
The first public library in North Sydney, located in the School of Arts, was built in 1861 near the present North Sydney Post Office. Access required a paid subscription. Other small, privately run lending libraries operated from the early 20th century through to the 1960s, either charging a joining fee or a recurring subscription. These businesses provided a cheaper alternative to buying books, especially during the Depression.
In 1892 the St Leonard’s Labour Electoral League suggested to North Sydney Council that a free library be established and in 1899, council decided to locate a library within its Town Hall in Alfred Street. However, this did not come to fruition; in 1916, council was still considering the creation of ‘a proposed municipal library’ by assuming control of the School of Arts Library.
In 1934, American librarian Ralph Munn and Ernest Pitt of the Public Library of Victoria made recommendations to improve Australia’s libraries. The Munn-Pitt report concluded: “In the widespread establishment of free public libraries as an essential part of the nation’s educational plan, Australia ranks below most of the other English-speaking countries.” The most immediate reaction to this was the establishment in Sydney of the Free Library Movement (FLM). An FLM branch was established in North Sydney, which still did not have a free library. Alderman James Street Stanton was a supporter.
As Mayor of North Sydney from 1937 to 1939, Stanton advocated levying a special tax to subsidise the creation of local authority libraries in all suburbs. The provision of state subsidies for municipal or shire libraries was subsequently part of the 1939 NSW Library Act.
Stanton died in August 1943 and three months later, North Sydney Council voted to create a library following the cessation of war. In 1945 it was decided the Stanton Memorial Library would open as part of a new civic centre development.
There were delays in implementing the Library Act generally (only eight municipal libraries existed in Sydney by 1951) and delays in acquiring the residential blocks adjacent to North Sydney Council chambers in Miller Street for the civic centre.
Stanton Library was opened on 8 February 1964, by the Governor of NSW, Lieutenant-General Eric Woodward. It featured a modern curtain wall façade designed by council architect John L. Browne and was built by J.P. Cordukes Pty Ltd of Concord. The interior décor was designed by Marion Hall Best.
The collection consisted of 10,000 books. Within two months, 4,600 people had registered as borrowers and 17,000 loans were issued. During the 1970s, the library collection took on reference, audio-visual and local history material and a home library service was established. By 1979, the collection contained 103,000 books.
The building has also been adapted over time. Extensive works, designed by Feiko Bouman, were completed in 1988, in response to a brief from the chief librarian acknowledging that: “The greatest developments in the history of public libraries have taken place in the last 20 years. The range of materials and services offered in public libraries and the level of public expectation of their use bear little resemblance to 20 years ago.”
The new Stanton incorporated an office block, meeting space, public access computers, study areas and extended audio-visual and local history facilities.
Today, around 550,000 physical and digital items are borrowed annually by 65,000 members. The Stanton Library is a true neighbourhood hub.
The Library and Historical Services Strategy 2022 to 2027 sets the path for Stanton to build on this success into the future and meet the needs of our diverse and evolving community.
Historical Services, North Sydney Council