Libraries Department

Unique IDAG-0082DescriptionThe Sydney Corporation Amendment Act 1908 gave Council the statutory powers to establish and maintain within its boundaries free reading and lending libraries. Under this Act Council took over control of the Lending Branch of the Public Library of NSW, established in the Queen Victoria Markets Building.

The Library provided a free lending service to ratepayers, residents, and those employed within the City boundaries, and to suburban residents on payment of a small subscription.

The first librarian appointed was Charles H Bertie on 1 October 1909. When the Council was replaced by Commissioners in 1928, they decided on a policy of reducing the number of departments in Council. As a part of this scheme, the Sydney Municipal Library became a branch of CA 40, Town Clerk's Department.

The Library remained a branch of the Town Clerk's Department until 1960 when as a result of a recommendation by the Health and Recreations Committee, it was separated to form the Libraries Department. It remained a separate Department until 8 March 1971, when it was amalgamated into CA 3, Administration Department. It stayed with the Administration Department until 1979, when it became a part of CA 10, Parks and Recreations Department.

On 1 April 1981, it was separated again to form a new department, CA 7, Sydney City Library.CreationResolution of Council 12 September 1960AbolitionResolution of Council 8 March 1971

Series

Newsclippings Books

Annual Reports I, 1880-1975 [Municipal Council of Sydney / City of Sydney]

Town Clerk's Department Correspondence Files, 1914-1978 [Municipal Council of Sydney / City of Sydney]

Agency

Leichhardt Municipal Council

Deputy Town Clerk's Department [South Sydney Municipal Council]

Administration Department

Description

Start date12th September 1960End date8th March 1971Relationship legacy dataPRECEDED BY: Town Clerks Department AG-0040 (12/09/1960)
RELATED TO: Sydney City Council OR-0001 (12/09/1960 to 08/03/1971)
RELATED TO: Community services and facilities FN-0013 (12/09/1960 to 08/03/1971)
Source System ID82

Relationships

Preceding agenciesTown Clerk's DepartmentOrganisationSydney City CouncilRelated functionsCommunity services and facilities

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Libraries Department