The Glen Innes Severn Public and TAFE Library is set to celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2024, marking seven decades as a community hub for the residents of the Glen Innes Severn area. Since its establishment in 1953 and official opening on 17 December 1954, the library has provided a welcoming space for learning, community connection, and discovery.
For the past seventy years, the library has been an invaluable resource for people of all ages, fostering a love of reading, encouraging curiosity, and creating opportunities to share ideas. It remains a vital service managed by the Glen Innes Severn Council, supporting the local community and contributing to its growth and wellbeing.
“The Glen Innes Severn Public and TAFE Library is much more than a building with books – it’s a place where knowledge and curiosity are encouraged, where stories come to life, and where everyone in our community has access to the resources they need,” said Glen Innes Severn Council Mayor Margot Davis.
“As we celebrate its 70 years, we recognise the invaluable role it plays in enriching our community and connecting people and the amazing staff that work hard for the community to be able to experience it,” Cr Davis added.
The library’s origins trace back to 1939, when a public meeting was held to discuss the possibility of establishing a community library in Glen Innes. Thanks to support from the State Government, which advocated for free public libraries across NSW, the library initially opened as the Apex Children’s Library in a modest building donated by the Apex Club. Since then, it has seen significant growth, expanding threefold and now housing over 35,000 books for children and adults, with more than 4,500 registered borrowers.
To commemorate this milestone, the library has planned a series of events throughout November, including the following highlights:
– Tuesday, 26 November: William Rendell will host “Fashion Magazines La Belle Epoque: Art Nouveau to the Birth of Art Deco”, a fascinating talk and display of historical fashion magazine covers from 6 pm to 7 pm.
– Wednesday, 27 November: Justine Martin will present “Write, Publish, Inspire: A Step-by-Step Workshop for Aspiring Authors”, a hands-on workshop running from 6 pm to 9 pm.
– Thursday, 28 November: A special Author Talk will feature celebrated Australian authors Karly Lane and Peter Watt. Karly Lane will speak from 11 am to 12 pm, followed by a community lunch from 12 pm to 1 pm, with Peter Watt taking the stage from 1 pm to 2 pm.
– Saturday, 30 November: The week of festivities will culminate in the official 70th Anniversary Ceremony from 9 am to 11 am, with Justine Martin as the guest speaker. Celebrations will continue until 3 pm with refreshments, displays, children’s activities, and live music.
Throughout the week, young visitors will also have the chance to enjoy large activity toys from the Glen Innes Reachout Toy Library, and the Land of the Beardies History House Museum Display will be open for all attendees to explore.
All community members are invited to participate in the celebrations, honouring the library’s history and ongoing impact. For more information or to RSVP, visit https://gleninneslibrary.org or call (02) 6730 2600.
