When the City of Joondalup’s Duncraig Library first opened its doors, Gough Whitlam was Prime Minister, Countdown first aired on television and former Aussie cricket captain Ricky Ponting was preparing to enter the world.
On 27 July 1974 – almost a quarter of a century before the City of Joondalup came into being – Councillor Mick Nanovich MLA presided over the official opening of what was the second public library in the then Shire of Wanneroo.
A half century on, and with a few refurbishments here and there, the library building has stood the test of time, lending more than 14 million items along the journey.
So, what’s changed since the doors first opened? For one, the original entrance was on the western side of the building, facing Marmion Avenue. The building almost doubled in size in the mid-1980s, while a second refurbishment in 2005 included the introduction of the library’s iconic mascot, Max the whale, and installation of an after-hours chute.
In 2014, the library became home to the Duncraig Edible Garden. For the past 10 years the garden has provided a regular supply of herbs, fruits and vegetables to the community.
Construction will soon commence on an adventure hub for youth at nearby Percy Doyle, just metres from the library’s front door.
Joondalup Mayor Albert Jacob said while Duncraig Library had undergone some transformations over the past five decades, one thing that hadn’t changed was the close-knit relationship between past and present library staff and the local community.
“One of the top 10 lending libraries in WA, Duncraig Library remains a popular destination for the community, offering a relaxing and friendly environment to browse, borrow, work, study, learn and play,” he said.
“This building means a lot to lot of people. It’s amazing to think that Duncraig Library is almost twice as old as the City of Joondalup itself. Different generations of families have passed through the doors to experience that second to none customer service.
“And the Duncraig Library continues to innovate with the library chosen to host the City’s first Forget-Me-Not Cafe, a monthly event to support, connect and enrich the lives of people with dementia, as well as their family, friends and carers.”
