Media Release 03 Jul 2012
Library Board of Western Australia celebrates 60 years
The Library Board of Western Australia held a special meeting to celebrate the 60th anniversary of its first meeting on July 3, 1952.Attended by Culture and Arts Minister John Day, the meeting marked the key role that public libraries play in providing free, high-quality resources, services and spaces to the communities they serve.
Library Board Chairman Professor Matthew Allen said the Library Board had been pivotal in establishing and supporting public libraries services across the State and in supporting the need for legislation such as the new Legal Deposit Act which will be vital in preserving digital publications for future generations.
“The Library Board was established in 1951 with the purpose of encouraging local authorities and other bodies to grow and maintain free library services,” Professor Allen said.
“By 1988, public library services were available in every local government in the State and today the network has grown to 232 public libraries, from Christmas Island and Kununurra to Albany and Esperance, including 69 libraries in metropolitan Perth.
Professor Allen said the Board facilitated the partnership between the State and local governments in providing public library services.
“From humble beginnings, the State Government’s allocation for public libraries has grown to $9.235 million in 2012-13,” he said.
“This provides access for Western Australia communities to a distributed pool of nearly three million physical items, as well as electronic databases and journals, and for the first time, access to e-books.”
The Board is also responsible for managing the State Library of Western Australia, ensuring the State’s documentary heritage is preserved for future generations.
“The Board is an advocate for the role that libraries play in our society, and the value they deliver to communities,” Professor Allen said.
The State Library of Western Australia is located in the heart of the Perth Cultural Centre. It preserves and provides access to Western Australia’s published heritage and original historical records. The State Library also provides numerous on-line and e-resources, many of which are accessible from home using your public library membership. To see what else the State Library has to offer you please check out the State Library’s web pages at http://slwa.wa.gov.au/
For further information please contact: Doug George on 9427 3150.
