State+Library+Social+Impact

The Social Impact of the Public Library

The State Library of Victoria, previously known as Melbourne's Public Library, was Australia's first public library that was free for the public to access. Public libraries in general have had a huge impact on our lives and Victoria's State Library being the beginning of them all, has had a particular influence on Melbourne and its public.

It all began on the 11th of February, 1856, when Acting Governor Major-General Edward MacArthur opened the Library. A day later, public announcements were published in newspapers of the time, including both the Argus and the Age. However, the journalists reporting the scene described it quite differently. The Age wrote that 'the event may probably not be regarded with much interest by a very large proportion of the citizens of Melbourne'. However, the Argus reported that there had been a large demand for this public service and that the opening of the Library 'attracted a fair number of spectators'. Interestingly enough, these two newspaper extracts contradicted each other entirely. Already, the State Library was receiving different points of views.

Initially, people over the age of fourteen could access the State Library and this free wealth of information had a major impact on Melbourne’s public. These days, we have access to an abundance of services, but it wasn’t like that back then. As quoted by the Age on the 12th of February 1856, ‘the opening of this library will be a red letter day in the annuls of Victoria’. Although the Age may not have believed in the vast majority of Melbourne’s interest in the Library, the newspaper did acknowledge that the Library's opening would mark something of significance. Being described back then as a ‘necessity of modern civilisation’ by the Age and believed to have ‘improved the cultivate of tastes of the people in this colony’ by the Argus, our State Library has truly influenced Melbourne’s public.

The State Library prided itself in being democratic in ideas and by 1880 it had grown to be Australia’s largest library and had become comparable to England’s largest libraries (this was a great achievement at the time). Many still think of it as Victoria’s first major cultural institution.

In 2001, a Public Libraries Conference was held, its main focus being to demonstrate the impact of public libraries. Some very interesting points and ideas were raised. The Conference came up with six factors in which public libraries had contributed to. They were as follows:


 * Personal development[[image:Statelibrary_protests.jpg width="400" height="301" align="right" caption="A Protest at the Library Held in Modern Times"]]
 * Social cohesion
 * Community empowerment
 * Local culture and identity
 * Imagination and creativity
 * Heath and well being

Victoria's State Library has influenced each and every one of these points. When you walk across the lawn and into the Library, you’ll find university students scattered across the grass. When you walk into the La Trobe Reading Room, more university students. And who do you think uses the free computer access? You got it, more students. They’re all there on their own free will and absolutely welcomed by the staff. But it’s not only students. People from all over Melbourne go to the Library to work on their own personal development and knowledge, thus covering the first of the six points.

Social cohesion is just a fancy word for unity or structure. And the State Library has both. It’s a purely non-profitable service that is run mainly by government funds and donations. It brings together people of all races and age, contributing to the diversity of culture in Melbourne’s CBD. With free games rooms and chess parlours, Victoria’s State Library is a great place to meet people, and all this comes under the topic of social cohesion, proving the second point.

The State Library is hardly lacking in community empowerment. With free and readily available exhibitions and talks held weekly in the interest of Melbourne’s public, the Library adds identity and confidence to our community. The Library hosts the Contemporary Youth Literature program and has proposed a centre for books and ideas. For over 150 years, Victoria’s State Library has been contributing to Melbourne in so many different ways, community empowerment being one of them.

Local culture and identity is also a major role that the Library contributes to. With so many collections and pieces on Victorian Heritage, the Library truly has preserved Melbourne’s older culture. But it’s also made way for the new interests of Melbourne’s public. The new Experimedia wing was designed specifically for this purpose. With modern day technology, it accommodates the interests for young and old Australians alike. Adding to the identity of our community, it’s also a great place to take or meet new friends.

Imagination and creativity is also an area that the Library accommodates for. It has many pamphlets, including a ‘book writing ideas’ one, along with some truly inspirational expeditions. The ‘Mirror of the World’ expedition is a personal favourite, and goes into depth behind the skill and art of the book. Holding programs for both primary and secondary students, the State Library encourages both imagination and creativity, adding these values to Melbourne’s CBD.

Lastly, but certainly not least is health and well being. Victoria’s State Library is a very relaxing environment, particularly for university students studying for a major test. With special rooms designated particularly for this purpose, it can help take the stress and pressure off these tests by proving a suitable atmosphere for preparation. Using the services in the Chess and Experimedia rooms can also be a way to unwind after a stressful day, and altogether, the Library accommodates for the well being of its members.

For over more than 150 years, Victoria’s State Library has influenced our community, providing free access to a wealth of information and other useful services. It’s collections as truly inspiring, and as quoted by Christopher Bantick, a Melbourne journalist, it’s a ‘Library with a difference and one with a bright future'.

By Nicola

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