History of the Frankston City Libraries

Community interest in a ‘free library’ for Frankston was first officially documented in 1873.   A public meeting was called in August 1873 to found the Mechanics Institute and Free Library (to be named the “Frankston Athenaeum Club”). A site for the building was chosen; three Trustees were appointed (all members of the North Riding of the Shire Council of Mornington); and temporary approval gained from the Minister of Lands by late September.  Although the colonial government would provide a grant of Crown Land, the building was financed by donations from members of the community and fundraising concerts and lectures.   The population of Frankston at this time was approximately 150 people.

It was not until 1880 that building of the Mechanics Institute and Free Library commenced.  The Free Library was officially opened on 4^th October 1880, having received a donation of 300-400 books from H. D. Larnach and a government grant of £12.  Although it was free for visitors to read books in the library, there was an annual subscription of 10s to borrow items.  The loan period was 14 days and an overdue charge of a penny per day applied. The library was open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday evenings from 7pm-8.30pm and for ladies only on Tuesdays and Fridays from 3pm-4.30pm.

In November 1899 a special meeting of the Frankston Mechanics Institute submitted a list of new and popular books to be purchased for the library, at a cost of £10.  By 1901 the collection had grown to 2000 works. 

In 1915, the original building was extended by the addition of two small rooms – the Committee Room and the Free Library and Reading Room.  The first Librarian, Mr. Ernest Barrett, was instated between the years 1915 and 1917, a position made available through the Australian Soldiers Repatriation Fund.  Prior to this the hall keeper was responsible for supervising the library. Ernie was a farmer in Baxter prior to WWI and had been injured in the war.  At this time, it was reported that there were few borrowers, and Ernie spent his days smoking his pipe and playing chess.

In the late 1920’s there was a revival in public interest in the library: crosswords had become popular, and newspapers were offering money prizes for the “first correct solution opened”. The most popular book in the collection was the Webster’s Dictionary.   It is reported that Dr Plowman obtained permission to take the Webster’s Dictionary (a huge volume) home in his wheelbarrow at night and return it before opening the next day.  This revival was short lived, and interest in the Mechanics Institute and Free Library declined. 

The Munn Pitt report was published in 1935.  Ralph Munn, the Director of the Pittsburgh Public Library (and later President of the ALA), was invited to Australia to join Ernest Pitt, Chief Librarian of the Public Library of Victoria, to survey Australian libraries and make recommendations for their improvement.  The report was very critical of the current system of a State reference library based in the capital city and subscription or institute libraries in regional areas, describing the collections of institute libraries as ‘dated and weak’.  The key recommendations of this report were to establish tax-supported municipal ‘free libraries’ and to strengthen librarianship by professionalising the training and registration of librarians.   The Victorian Free Library Service Board was established in 1946.

Council was appointed as Committee of Management in 1956 and began plans to upgrade the library to municipal library standards.  A State Government grant was available, but conditional on Council contributing 2 shillings per head of population throughout the Shire (a total of £1,800).  It was also a condition of the grant that all books be available free of charge at the library, although a borrowing charge could be applied.  Council’s aim was to build the collection to 10,000 books over the next few years (the average cost of a book was £1).  Council also appointed the first qualified librarian (Judith Ramsay).

The library was closed for renovations and re-opened as a rate supported public library on October 10^th 1957.   While officially known as the Frankston and Hastings Shire Library, it was still commonly referred to as the Mechanics’ Library.  The library opened with 3,500-4,000 books and borrowing was limited to adults and teenagers above the age of 16.  The population of the Frankston Hastings Shire at the time of the 1954 census was 18,104.

The Frankston Junior Library and Craft Centre was created through the initiative of a community committee in 1945, relying on donations and the restoration of second hand books.  The library, with a collection of over 1000 books, opened on 24^th March 1946 in the School Hall at the rear of St. Pauls Church, making it one of the first children’s libraries to open in Victoria.  Over 100 children enrolled in the first week, and within 12 months, the library moved to a Shire Council building at the Cranbourne Oval (Quality Street). By 1948, the collection had grown to 50,000 books with 1,200 members. 

It was proposed that the Junior Library collection be absorbed into the Municipal Library in January 1960, a move that would require an extension to the existing premises at the Mechanics Institute. This was problematic, and alternative plans to extend the Pre-School building in Central Park were considered.  The Central Park Traders and Frankston Chamber of Commerce were opposed to the plan due to the impact on parking, congestion, and accident hazard. 

The population of Frankston increased dramatically from the mid 1950’s, with the number of people living in the local government area growing from 18,104 at the time of the 1954 census (Frankston and Hastings Shire) to 42,085 at the time of the 1966 census (City of Frankston) and 81,700 at the time of the 1981 census (City of Frankston).  In order to cater for the cultural and recreational needs of the rapidly growing community, Council considered developing a new Library and Cultural Centre.  Plans were drawn in March 1965 by Berg and Alexander requiring an estimated budget of £80,000.  By June 1968, the estimated cost had risen to $292,000, a figure far greater than the available funds (approximately $54,000). 

By mid-1966 the Frankston Library had reached saturation point and could no longer operate on the existing premises of the Mechanics’ Hall, prompting Council to authorise a temporary shift to the old Pre-School in Central Park (Thompsons St) on May 31^st 1966.  Within three weeks, 20,000 books were moved from the Mechanic’s Hall to the new temporary premises. 

Between September 1958 and September 1968 the number of borrowers grew from 2,340 (10% of the population) to 11,603 (20% of the population).  The Junior section of the library was opened on 18^th February 1968 and 3,008 children registered as borrowers.

Capacity at the temporary Central Park location was reached by the end of 1968, requiring part of the collection to be housed at the City Offices in Davey Street due to the lack of space.  Twice a week, staff would collect any requests from this collection and transport the books back to the library in a shopping trolley.  The lack of shelving space also meant that the library was not able to keep up with demand from the community for new titles. 

In 1971, Council engaged the Executive Director of the Library Council of Victoria (Barrett Reid) to re-design the library in light of new standards and rapid development.  Two of his key recommendations were: 

• That the new central library building should include facilities for meetings, theatrical performances, film screenings, displays and exhibitions as well as ‘traditional’ library activities; and 
• The establishment of branch libraries to act as community activity centres with particular emphasis on work with children and the promotion of the use of books and libraries.

In light of the lack of shelving space and limitations on collection development, the City of Frankston entered into agreement with the Peninsula Regional Library Service on 26^th April 1972 whereby Frankston residents were allowed to borrow from the Peninsula Library free of charge.  By February 1973, 11,500 books were housed in the City Offices and were in constant demand.   The librarian’s office and tea room were used as store rooms. 

In June 1975 Council purchased the leasehold interest in the Moore’s Store (Central Park).  Plans for extensive renovations were undertaken during 1976 and included a Community Activities Room to seat 70 people.  The building was refurbished, the collection of approximately 70,000 items was moved, and the library was opened at its new location on January 17, 1977.  On the day of opening, 2940 books were issued in seven hours; four thousand new members were enrolled at the new library in the first two months. 

By the end of this year, the number of library members had grown from 18,848 at the time of moving to 26, 643 members, a 41% increase in members, accounting for 35% of Frankston’s population of approximately 75,000.

National Mutual Life Association submitted a proposal for the redevelopment of the central business district in June 1982, which included a multi-level development in Central Park.  In light of this proposal, Council considered a new site for the Frankston Library.  The recommendation was for the site bounded by Davies Street, Young Street and Playne Street.

On receipt of a $3.6 million Federal Government Grant (as part of the Local Capital Works Program to boost employment in the region) the Frankston City Council awarded Daryl Jackson Architects the contract to design a library and cultural centre.  Plans were submitted in 1993.  The building contract was awarded to Salzer Constructions and the local building company Mackie and Staff; it was completed in 1995 with maximum use of local labour and materials.

Although the Frankston R E Ross Library was open to the public on Tuesday 2 May 1995, the official opening was not until Sunday 22 October 1995.   The library opened with a collection of over 125,000 items.  The floor area of the library measured 2,600 square meters making it the largest regional library in Victoria.  The library was named in recognition of Roy Everard Ross (the owner of Hillview Quaries in Dromana), who, through the Ross charitable trust, provided generous support to the building of the library. 

In his speech at the opening of the Frankston R E Ross Library, Tom Sweeney (Chairman of Commissioners) declared:

“Library services in the Frankston area are entering a new era.  The ‘new’ Frankston Library Service is delivering quality library services to 64,000 members spread across 131 square kilometres through a range of service options based on this magnificent building.”

As a result of council amalgamations in December 1994, the boundaries of Frankston City Council and this ‘new’ library service had recently changed.  Frankston City lost the suburb of Mt Eliza but gained the suburbs of Carrum Downs, Langwarrin and Skye.  The Carrum Downs Library joined the Frankston Library Service, enhancing accessibility to the collection for those in the newly created north-east ward of Frankston City.  Prior to this, the Carrum Downs Library was a branch of the Dandenong Valley Regional Library Service and can trace its origins to the G. K. Tucker Settlement library (Brotherhood of St. Laurence).   The Carrum Downs Community Centre was built in the settlement in 1955 and included a fully catalogued library run by the residents.  Management of the community centre and library was relinquished by the Brotherhood of St. Laurence with the opening of council’s Lyrebird Community Centre in March 1994. The library operated out of a room in the Lyrebird Community Centre until extensions to the community centre (including a new library) were completed in 2003 and the current library premises was officially opened on Monday 15 March 2004. 

A number of innovations were employed to broaden membership and facilitate access.  In February 2004, the Frankston Library Express service commenced at the Frankston Station to cater for commuters who could not visit the library service during operating hours.  This was Victoria’s first rail-side lending service and was recognised as a finalist in the services category of the 2003-2004 Frankston-Mornington Business Awards. 

In addition, with the aim of further encouraging the Frankston community to become readers and lifelong learners, the library service was extended to outreach locations.  Small collections were established at the Langwarrin and Seaford council shops in 2006; a children’s collection at Karingal Place in 2013; a collection at Frankston North Community Centre in 2015 and Frankston South Community and Recreation Centre in 2022; and a Beach Library at the Visitor Information Centre in 2022.

A new Seaford Branch of the Frankston City Libraries was opened in the Seaford Community Centre in November 2015.  This had previously been the home of the Seaford Junior Library which celebrated its 50^th Birthday on the 19^th October 2014.  The Seaford Junior Library was considered a great asset to the local community, committed to providing early literacy programs and support to families in the Seaford and surrounding area. It operated at a grass roots level and was much loved by the local community.  The group became an incorporated organisation in 1991 and its statement of purpose stipulated the ongoing operation of a children’s library service until the Frankston City Council established such a service in Seaford.  The Seaford Library branch of the Frankston City Libraries continues the tradition of the Seaford Junior Library in promoting both the value of reading and literacy in childhood and for lifelong personal development and wellbeing.

At the completion of the Stage Two Refurbishment Project at the Frankston Library in 2024, Frankston City Libraries Manager, Laura Antoniak, spoke to Sarah Halfpenny (Senior Journalist Mornington Peninsula Magazine) on how she viewed the library evolving to the changing needs of the community and the significance of Frankston City Libraries to the community:

“The library is embracing technology, expanding resource offerings, fostering interactive learning spaces and adapting to diverse interests, ensuring that it remains a dynamic, relevant and inclusive cultural and educational hub".

"The public library is a vital educational, informational and cultural resource, and the recent refurbishments contribute to its continued relevance by enriching learning opportunities, preserving local heritage and fostering community engagement”.

References

Aitken, K. (1995, October 22).  Speech by Ken Aitken on behalf of the R. E. Ross Trust given on the occasion of the opening or the Frankston R. E. Ross Library. [Speech transcript].

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2019). 3105.0.65.001 Australian historical population statistics: Population distribution. Historical population, 2016 | Australian Bureau of Statistics (abs.gov.au)

Baragwanath, P & James, K. (2015). These walls speak volumes: a history of mechanics' institutes in Victoria.

Bennett, B. (Ed.) (1995).  G K Tucker Settlement: An historical record 1935-1995: 60 years with the Brotherhood of St. Laurence at Carrum Downs. Brotherhood of St. Laurence.

Clancy, F. (2000, June).  The libraries of the Mechanics' Institutes of Victoria : report prepared for Department of Infrastructure. Local Government Division, Department of Infrastructure.

Frankston and Somerville Standard. (1889-1939). W. Crawford Young.

The Frankston Standard News Pictorial. (1971-1980). Standard Newspapers.

Frankston Standard: Peninsula News Pictorial. (1949-1957). Standard Newspapers Pty Ltd.

Frankston City Library. (1975-1993). Frankston City Library Annual Report.

Frankston City Library. (1985). Frankston City Library User Survey.

Frankston City Council (1982).  Interim report on the National Mutual concept: A desirable future for the Frankston C.B.D.?

Frankston Standard. (1981-2001). Standard Newspapers Ltd.

Halfpenny, Sarah. (2024 March 27).  Frankston Library’s novel upgrade unveiled. Mornington Peninsula Magazine, April 2024, 34.

History of the Frankston Junior Library. (n.d.) [Unpublished manuscript].

Irving, C. C. (1977). Booking back through the ages: the history of the Frankston City Libraries.  [Unpublished Graduate Diploma of Librarianship thesis].

Kaljee, R. (1965, June 24). The Frankston Mechanics’ Institute: A talk delivered at the Frankston Historical Society. [Speech transcript].

Ringer, E. A. (2018).  Hall on the hill: a history of the Frankston Mechanics’ Institute and Free Library: 1873 to 2013. Mornington Peninsula Family History Society.

Speech for Mr Tom Sweeney, Chairman of Commissioners, on the occasion of the opening of the Frankston R E Ross Library.  (1995, October 22).  [Speech transcript].

Standard (Frankston). (1939-1949). Standard Newspapers Pty Ltd.

The Standard: the Frankston Mornington Peninsula News-Pictorial. (1957-1971). Standard Newspapers Pty Ltd.

Whitlam, G. (1986). ‘The Munn-Pitt Report – 50 years on’, The Australian Library Journal, 35:1, 40-45.