Happy 20th Birthday, Strathfield Library!
The new Strathfield Library nearing completion, 2003. Courtesy Strathfield Local Studies
Strathfield Library was officially opened on 12 March 2004, replacing an earlier building constructed in 1976. On 29 March it opened its doors to the community, welcoming more than 1100 people and 120 new members on that day alone! More than 1500 people joined the library during its first month of opening. Designed by architects Brewster Hjorth, the library was awarded the Master Builders Association’s Excellence in Construction Award for public buildings up to $5 million. The building incorporated ecologically sustainable development (ESD) principles including solar panels and rain water tanks.
A library was first opened by the former Homebush Council in 1947, located at 75 Parramatta Road Homebush. This library then served a population of less than 16,000 people. In 1956, after the amalgamation of councils, a branch library opened in High Street, Strathfield. This became the Central Library in 1967. In 1975 Strathfield Council purchased land on the corner of Rochester Street and Abbotsford Road, Homebush for a new 660 square metre Central Library which was officially opened by Mayor Clarrie Edwards on 3 December 1976. The library on Parramatta Road closed the following day. This library served the community until Christmas 2002 and was demolished during February 2003 to make way for a new 1900 square metre library. Meanwhile, a temporary library operated out of Fitzgerald Park next door.
The original library on Parramatta Road, Homebush.
Courtesy Strathfield Local Studies
This Strathfield Library on the corner of Abbotsford Road and Rochester Street Homebush operated from 1976 until 2002. Courtesy Strathfield Local Studies
Temporary library in Fitzgerald Park, c.2003. Courtesy Strathfield Local Studies
Construction of the new library, 2003
Many volunteers contributed to fundraising for the new library and we acknowledge the contributions of the former Friends of Strathfield Library (FOSL), Strathfield Libraries and Museum Foundation and the work of the Strathfield Council Library Advisory Committee, formed in 2001.
Strathfield Library signage, 2020. Courtesy Strathfield Local Studies
During 2019 and 2020, Strathfield Library underwent renovations, designed by Studio Hollenstein. The library reopened as Strathfield Council Library & Innovation Hub gradually in July 2020 as Covid restrictions permitted.
Covid protocols in place, 2020. Courtesy Strathfield Local Studies
The new library after renovations
Exciting improvements included the Ironbark Gallery for art and historical exhibitions as well as an outdoor deck area and additional study spaces. Today we continue to welcome new members every day. Our extended hours access for members has proved very popular, as have our book lockers. Library programs for adults and children are always well-attended, as are special events in the Ironbark Gallery.
Boomalli, celebrating NAIDOC Week, 2023. Courtesy Strathfield Council
On Wednesday morning, 27 March 2024 Strathfield Council Library & Innovation Hub will celebrate its milestone birthday with a cake at 11am.
We can’t wait to see what the next 20 years will bring!
By J.J. MacRitchie
Local Studies Advisor