This year, Ku-ring-gai Library is celebrating its 80th birthday. To celebrate, the Library is sharing 80 images from its 80 year history, over a period of 80 days on social media.
Gordon Library was the first municipal library in the metropolitan area to open after the Library Act 1939 was introduced. It officially opened on 24 November 1945 at the Council Chambers in Gordon.
Ku-ring-gai Mayor Christine Kay said Council was proud to continue the 80-year library service.
“Ku-ring-gai Library is a wonderful cultural asset for our community. It is more than just a place to borrow books and resources; it is a meeting place for so many in the community, providing opportunities for connection, creativity and learning,” Mayor Kay said.
“Today, Ku-ring-gai Library operates out of four branches: Gordon, Turramurra, Lindfield and St Ives. We also continue to operate a Home Library Service for patrons who are housebound due to illness or disability, ensuring that everyone in the community has access.”
Some of the moments captured in the images include staff at the first library branch, loan statistics from December 1945, children borrowing from the mobile library service in the late 1940s, the opening of Lindfield library in 1954, the introduction of children’s story time at all branches in 1980, fire damage at Turramurra library in 1985, construction of the current Gordon Library in 1993, the ‘knock and drop’ home delivery service during the COVID-19 pandemic, author visits and modern day library services.
The collection also includes photos from renowned photographer Max Dupain, who captured images of Wahroonga Library in 1952.
Ku-ring-ai Library will celebrate its 80th anniversary on 24 November 2025.
Ku-ring-gai Library timeline:
• 1944 – Ku-ring-gai Council adopts the Library Act 1939 (NSW)
• 1945 – Ku-ring-gai Library opens at Ku-ring-gai Council Chambers in Gordon
• 1946 – Ku-ring-gai launches the first public library bookmobile in the state
• 1948 – East Roseville Library opens
• 1953 – Wahroonga Library opens, operated from the cottage in Wahroonga Park
• 1954 – Lindfield Library opens
• 1961 – St Ives Library opens
• 1961 – Gordon Library moved from Council Chambers to temporary accommodation in Wade Lane, Gordon
• 1965 – Gordon Library moved from Wade Lane to the corner of Pearson and Park Avenues
• 1968 – Turramurra Library open
• 1980 – Ku-ring-gai Library introduces monthly storytime sessions at all branches
• 1980 – Housebound service commences, operating out of Gordon Library
• 1982 – Local History Service commences at Gordon Library
• 1985 – Fire at Turramurra library in May. Library reopens by November
• 1988 – Online public access catalogue computers introduced at Gordon Library
• 1993 – Opening of Gordon Library at its current site
• 2002 – Permanent Chinese Fiction collection introduced
• 2013 – Gordon Library refurbished and launch of eLibrary for books and magazines
• 2020/2021 – Knock & Drop service operates during the COVID-19 lockdowns
• 2023 – Library stops charging late fees and introduces library app
