Book in a time to revisit 150 years of Gerringong Library

When Gerringong Library opened in 1874, it stocked 80 books and was housed in Mrs Mary Ann Scott’s general store in Fern Street.

Mrs Scott received the princely sum of £14 a year for her librarian duties and the use of her room.

Today, 150 years later, the library – one of Australia’s oldest free public libraries – now operates out of the redeveloped School of Arts and boasts 7800 items.

A sesquicentennial exhibition at the library will open on Thursday 7 November featuring artefacts and stories from its 150 years.

That night, journalist and broadcaster Caroline Baum will give a talk on the importance of libraries in shaping communities as part of Gerringong Historical Society’s event, Night at the Museum.

Mrs Scott’s first library initially had no rules, resulting in books not being returned and some patrons expecting access to the library at all hours, including one at 11 pm.

Established in 1874 (five years after the Sydney Free Public Library), Gerringong Library has played a vital role in the community ever since.

According to Kiama Library’s History of Gerringong Library, the Mutual Improvement Society of Gerringong owned about £12 worth of books which they gave to the first library.

A government grant of £200 was obtained to purchase suitable books to add to the collection.

According to a story in the Kiama Independent in August 1875, the “class of books most in request are the lighter of the fictitious and pictorial works”.

“Philosophical, historical, or scientific works are but very sparingly read; many of the books in circulation have been disgracefully treated, and it requires all the vigilance of the librarian to endorse the by-laws,” the story continued.

“The library is, however, felt to be a great boon in the present dearth of public entertainment or instruction and I doubt not that when the Municipal Council has met its present liabilities it will supplement this boon by the erection of a suitable public building.”

By 1876 Gerringong Library was one of 18 free libraries that had been established in NSW.

The following year, Gerringong Council built council chambers in Fern Street and offered Mrs Scott free use and occupation of the premises for the library and reading room.

The existing library hours were deemed unsuitable for working men so in 1893 the library began opening from 7 to 9 pm one night a week.

Bob Walker took over as librarian in 1930, a position he held until 1959.

In 1950 the library was moved to the newly built Gerringong Town Hall, where it was located for the next 71 years.

The library had been the responsibility of the Gerringong Literary Institute since its inauguration in April 1922, but since the institute was only functioning under an executive and was finding difficulties managing financially, Kiama Council proposed setting up a public library.

The Literary Institute Library formed the nucleus of this new library which opened in May 1952.

Council has managed Gerringong Library since 1959 and it’s a branch of Kiama Library.

Council invested in a new purpose-built facility in Blackwood Street, next to the old Gerringong School of Arts where the Gerringong Heritage Museum is now located, which opened in December 2021.

The free sesquicentennial exhibition will be at the library until 23 November. Night at the Museum with Caroline Baum will start at 5:30 pm on Thursday 7 November. Tickets, at $10 (including refreshments), can be booked here.