Brighton Library

Brighton Library opened in it's current location in 1998, but has a long history of serving the community.

Location

In 1859, the Rev. W.R. Lewis of Black Street Congregational Church established a small working men's club. His aim for starting the club was "mutual improvement". It was housed in a small room in Outer Crescent. The group numbered 13 and comprised of residents of many varied occupations, such as carpenter, master builder, shopkeeper, the clergy and more. The club lived for two years and had moved to three or four other sites in Brighton.

In 1861, John Pascoe Fawkner opened a new building near the corner of Park Street and New Street (now a private residence called Grey Lynn) in Brighton and it was called the Mechanics Institute. The Brighton Mechanics Institute underwent many ups and downs over the following ten years (details of their collection, costs and patronage can be read on pages 290-291 of A History of Brighton by Weston Bate). The institute was dissolved in 1871 as it was in a very bad state both financially and morally.

In 1871, the Brighton Library and Reading Room in Bay Street was opened, using the same furniture and stock from the Mechanics Institute. George Higinbotham was again president. It wasn't long before the new library once again experienced more hardships. There were 130 members, and the income only just covered the expenditure. By 1880, hundreds of books were missing, many were in a bad state, and the collection needed proper cataloguing.

In 1880, a newcomer, J.W. Beilby believed that a new building in Brighton was required, and this would re-invigorate the institution. A builder, John Stamp, submitted plans for a two-storey building with two reading rooms downstairs (one free and one for subscribers). There would be numerous other rooms including an upstairs hall to seat 300 people. The project was very attractive to Committee members although financially it was difficult to raise funds for the building. The project could only attract Government and local grants if the members agreed to provide a free reading room. Members realised they wouldn't be able to go ahead with the project unless they received government money. In 1884, it looked as though the municipality would provide the library and that it would be located in the Brighton Town Hall (then under construction). Finally, a free reading room was agreed to.

In 1886, construction started on a £3,000 building which opened on Saturday July 5th 1887 by Chief Justice of Victoria George Higginbotham. The staircase had been built too narrow to comply with the regulations from the Board of Health, so no one was able to enter the library until the problem had been rectified. The library still encountered many problems with the stock and membership.

In 1910, the library came under the control of the Council and borrowing became free. The Council spent much money on repairs to the building, lighting, and of course renewing the collection. The librarian, Miss Robertson, who valiantly and alone kept the library going for over 20 years reported to council that 300 new books had been acquired and 11,245 loans made.

In 1956, Miss Rosemary Hodge was appointed Librarian, while loans had risen to 16,000 per month. The Childrens Library was installed in Higinbotham Hall on the first floor and by 1960 had over 11,000 books and 4,900 children enrolled.

In 1973, there was much heated debate about moving Brighton Library from Higinbotham Hall at 104 Bay Street, to the corner of Carpenter and Black Streets (behind the old post office) as it would put too much pressure on the already difficult parking situation for the shops in Church Street.

Floorplan of the Brighton Library, located at 104 Bay Street.

At the end of June 1975, Brighton's first branch library opened in Dendy Street, East Brighton. It was officially opened by the Mayor, Councillor Laurie Mason. George Coates, who was a market gardener, and owned most of the land in that area, bequeathed the land to Brighton Council some eighty years earlier. When Goerge Coates dies, he left funds and land for the purpose of building the Union Brighton Free Library.

From May 1st 1978, the Brighton Central Library (fully airconditioned), commenced operations from the Brighton Town Hall at the corner of Wilson and Carpenter Streets. The main entrance to the Central Library was from Wilson Street, opposite the former Police Station. The Central Library was housed over two floors. The ground floor provided for the adults, while part of the upper level facing Wilson Street was for children. The upper level facing Carpenter Street was for Library Administration. The library remained at the location until 1998.

Brighton Library, Brighton Town Hall (1994)

Brighton Library Floorplan (Town Hall Library)

In 1993, Brighton Library was an early adopter of "fast track issues", allowing customers to check out their own books, increasing efficiency and customer experience.

In December 1994, the Victorian State Government announced that Local Government amalgamations would take place throughout Victoria. Brighton Council, Sandringham Council, and part of Moorabbin Council merged to become Bayside City Council. The Council decided to move the administration departments to the previous Sandringham City Council Offices in Royal Avenue, as there was more room for future expansion.

After some building extension and refurbishment works on the previous Brighton Council administration, the library relocated and was officially opened on Sunday February 15th 1998, by the Mayor. Councillor Graeme Disney.

Building extension and refurbishment works (1997)

Brighton Library (1998) setting up the current space

The wonderful space of Brighton Library combines Bayside's heritage with innovative contemporary library services enjoyed by the community today. .

Additional Resources