History of the Burdekin Library
School of Arts libraries
1896
A School of Arts committee for Ayr was formed seven years after land had been reserved for this purpose.
1909
The first trustees for the Ayr School of Arts were appointed.
1923
First Home Hill School of Arts committee formed in July and library opened in October.
1926
Giru School of Arts opened.
1928
Rita Island School of Arts erected.
1950
Free children's library opened in Home Hill in July 1950.
1980
Home Hill Memorial Hall handed over to Council
Council run library service
1983
April 23– Tenders are called for construction of the Burdekin Library
June 22– Tender from J. B. Malas accepted for construction, and tender from R. & K. Bonato Electrical accepted for the electrical work
June – Invitations for Chief Librarian and Children’s Librarian positions circulated
August 29 – Jeff McInerney’s first day as Chief Librarian
October 12 – Carol Stableford becomes the first Children’s Librarian
December 15 – First shipment of books is received (totalling 10% of the collection)
December 21– Commonwealth Employment Program allows for the hiring of two library assistants
1984
January – Mirka Mora completes a mural for the library
January 18 – Carol, the Children’s Librarian, says the Burdekin Library definitely won’t be a “Shh, shh” library
January 27 – The computer system is installed (a Vax 750 computer with ‘Book Software’)
Early March – The Reading Toad library logo is released
March 31 – OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE BURDEKIN LIBRARY –The Burdekin Library was officially opened at 3.00pm by Shire Chairman John Trace.
A week of festivities was organised with a Queensland Ballet performance, a market in the plaza, Queensland Theatre Orchestra performances, a Family Quiz Show, and the ‘Brigadoon’ musical performed by the Ayr Choral Society.
Exhibitions were displayed throughout the library and theatre, including an exhibition of pottery, The Stained Glass of Gary Burgess, batik from Utopia, Women at Work ’84, A History of Kites, How to Spin, a lapidary (gemstone) display, and a Puppet Theatre. Students from James Cook University and volunteers from the Burdekin Community Youth dressed up as clowns, performed street theatre, acted as guides and entertained.
April 7 – OFFICIAL OPENING OF HOME HILL BRANCH LIBRARY –The Home Hill Branch Library was officially opened at 10.30am by Cr J. T. Hinkson.
April 10 – First Book issued (at that stage members were allowed to borrow two books for two weeks)
June 21 – First school holiday program released, including clay modelling, creative games, fence painting and children’s crafts
June 21-27 – First Book Week celebrated (the theme was ‘Books Have It Covered’)
1985
February 15– First overdue notices sent out (for books months overdue)
November – First issue of Blink! produced
1987
June 10 – First microfiche/microfilm reader installed at the Burdekin Library
1991
February 7 – Home Hill Library closed due to flooding
1994
April 6 – ‘Black Snow and Liquid Gold’ published by John Kerr, coinciding with the tenth anniversary library celebrations
2003
December 3– New Library Logo launched (Barramundi and Sugarcane)
2004
March 24 – Online Library Catalogue launched!
June 18– A Library Train mural is painted outside the library by Aicey Zaro and six High School students
2007
March - Revamp of teen area
May – Home Hill Branch opening hours changed for first time in 20-odd years
November – Garden reading area with mosaic tiles created in Ayr
2008
March 4 – Launch of solar panel project for Home Hill Branch
2009
March 31-April 4 – 25th birthday celebrations
2010
November – Heritage grant for restoration of Mirka Mora mural received
2011
May 3 – New library hours for Ayr library since opening – 9.30-5.00 Tuesday to Friday and 9.00-4.00 on Saturday.
2012
Restoration of Mirka Mora mural and introduction of new logo and refurbishment of circulation desk Ayr.
2014
January – New wheeled shelving installed in Ayr
March 31 – 30th birthday celebrations for Ayr
April 7 – 30th birthday celebrations for Home Hill
2015
January 5 – Burdekin Library opens on Mondays for the first time ever.
August – Ideas@108 space opened