70 Years Fairfield City Library Service

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Exhibition SummaryThe exhibition will be displayed from 7 October to 1 January 2021.

Library 70th Anniversary event 2020 marks 70 years of library services to our local community. The evolving landscape of Fairfield has meant that throughout its 70-year history; the library service has seen many changes in collections, services, facilities and technologies.

To celebrate this important milestone, a photographic exhibition retraces our journey and can be viewed until the end of this year at Whitlam Library Cabramatta during library opening hours. DescriptionOn 7 October 1950, Fairfield City’s first public library opened its doors. Located within the Cabra-Vale Council Chambers on Railway Parade, Cabramatta, the library was stocked with 2912 books (non-fiction, fiction and children’s) and staffed by two librarians.

A second branch opened two years later on Ware Street, Fairfield and in 1956 Council introduced a mobile library service, visiting local schools, hospitals and nursing homes.

Renowned architecture firm Harry Seidler & Associates designed the present day library building in Cabramatta, which opened in 1975 and was subsequently renamed in honour of former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam in 1982.

Additional library branches opened in the next few decades including Smithfield in 1962, and Wetherill Park and Bonnyrigg in the 1980’s. The Fairfield branch was relocated to Kenyon Street in 1988 and soon will occupy a brand new space from December 2020.

Keeping up with the changing times, Fairfield Library Services were ahead of its time, introducing internet access for its members as early as 1997. Then in 2003, Live Online Homework Help - a first for Australia, was launched. With a commitment to delivering the latest in technology and innovation, Whitlam Library recently launched Studio 2166, The Workary and Lab.L.X. providing state of the art digital and IT services to the community.

Over the years, Fairfield’s history has been documented by library staff. These photographs, maps, oral histories and publications are now accessible through the online Fairfield City Heritage Collection.

Text Panel

Exhibition: 70 Years Fairfield City Library Service - 2020's

Exhibition: 70 Years Fairfield City Library Service - 2010's

Exhibition: 70 Years Fairfield City Library Service - 2000's

Exhibition: 70 Years Fairfield City Library Service - 1990's

Exhibition: 70 Years Fairfield City Library Service - 1980's

Exhibition: 70 Years Fairfield City Library Service - 1970's

Exhibition: 70 Years Fairfield City Library Service - 1960's

Exhibition: 70 Years Fairfield City Library Service - 1950's

Exhibition: 70 Years Fairfield City Library Service - Introduction

Connections

OrganisationFairfield City Open LibrariesCollectionSocial History Exhibitions

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