Prepared by Mateusz Sankey and Matthew Kelly
South Perth Children's Library, 1950. (Courtesy City of South Perth Local History Collection)
The South Perth Children’s Library was established in August 1945 by a group of young mothers. The library developed as a response to the growing demand from young families for good quality children’s books. Initially, the library was open between 3pm-5pm on weekdays to cater for school children, their younger siblings and mothers.
Mrs Phyllis Wild, the originator of the Children’s Library service in South Perth (1945-1961), President of the South Perth Children’s Library and Leisure Time Centre and dedicated advocate for public library services. (Copyright Phyllis Wild)
Phyllis Wild, was an activist who dedicated a significant portion of her life outside of familial commitments to set up library services which would benefit children in the South Perth area. Phyllis Wild was the founder of the group and galvanised the group of mothers around the vision of a Public Children’s library. Her motivation to set up the library was triggered by an observation that her children were bringing back other children to their house to listen to her read from their own small, residential library. Mrs Wild reported that up to 35 children would gather at her house on a Monday afternoon!
Not only did Phyllis Wild successfully launch the South Perth Children’s Library, but she fought for the establishment of a public library in South Perth. In 1986 she was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia "For service to the community in the field of public libraries."
Group photo of volunteer workers at the South Perth Children's Library, 1945. (Courtesy City of South Perth Local History Collection) The library service had up to 42 volunteer staff.
From left to right. Back Row - Kit Wallace, Phil Wild, Elsie Beal, Del Ashton, Ruth Wise, Phil Campbell, Mrs Killy. Middle Row - Vi Devenish, Kath Dockery, Tod Throssell. Front Row - Nell Burrows, Bertha Lucas, Jean David, Merle Collet, Daphne Templeman, Josie Peter, Josie's Daughter, Karen Shaw (nee Peters)
Volunteers who were not in the picture - Noreen Hollomby, Daphne Richardson, Norma King, Ali Drummond, Emm Smith, Mrs Hardy, Mrs Jarvis, Marie Hislop, Rhoda Brisbane, Daphne Rook, Bruce Dockery, Coot Throssel.
Due to the supply issues associated with the Second World War, book production restrictions were in place, decreasing the domestic supply of books. Thus, most books had to be imported from England at a higher price than the pre-war prices. This put a lot of pressure on young families, incentivising a small group of mothers to establish an “informal group” (Florey, 1995) which would raise money, purchase books and lend them between the children of the mothers.
The original library was housed in a refurbished Air Raid Precautions building. (Courtesy City of South Perth Local History Collection)
The Model Library
"In the work and plans of the Children's Book Council the South Perth Library warrants some special comment, since it is sponsoring the Book Council's Model Library project. When the idea of a Model Library was mooted by the Children's Book Council an ambitious plan involving a new library was at first envisaged. However, difficulties necessitated many modifications, and as a result in 1950 South Perth sponsored what could perhaps be more appropriately called a demonstration library - one which shows what is possible at present, with building restrictions and with no public funds. Despite these difficulties and the lack of trained staff, it is a practical example and serves to make available general information on libraries."
-Excerpt from "Everything Within Reach", W.A. Children's Book Council, 1951.
Boys examine a library display (undated, circa 1950). (Courtesy City of South Perth Local History Collection)
The Children’s library was a great success as it is reported that there were 140 children enrolled as active members of the library and 21,300 children had visited and used the library in 1953. (Courtesy City of South Perth Local History Collection)
In July 1953 the Secretary of the Library Board of Western Australia visited the South Perth Children’s Library, and stated that he was ‘very impressed with the efficient running of the library’.
In 1955 the Children’s Library and the adult library run by South Perth Community Centre Association moved into the same house on Coode Street, due to the reconstruction of the ARP building which previously was the home of the Children’s library. Mrs Wild's group campaigned for years to pressure the local authority to take over the library services. It would have to wait until 1960 for the Walter Murdoch (South Perth) public library to open. Having achieved their ultimate goal, the Children's Library Committee disbanded soon after.
References:
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Australian Honours Search, n.d.
Florey, C., Peninsular City, 1995.
W. A. Children's Book Council, Everything Within Reach, 1951.
Wild, P., [Interviewed by John Clements], 1979. https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-194767414/listen