Spearwood Library Celebrates 50 Years of Community Connection and Learning
Three generations of a local family are set to help a southern suburbs institution mark its golden anniversary this month, highlighting the enduring role of libraries in community life.
Palmina La Frenais began taking her daughter Marie to Spearwood Library regularly in the late 1980s, starting when Marie was about six years old. She continued this tradition throughout Marie's primary and high school years, supporting her daughter's school projects, which she proudly preserved. Today, both women take Marie's two-year-old daughter, Amalia Robinson, to the library every other week, simply for enjoyment.
They are among many residents excited to celebrate the facility's 50th anniversary, which officially opened on March 23, 1976.
A Legacy of Accessibility and Safety
Marie reflected on her childhood experiences, stating, "When I was in primary school, Mum would bring me to the library after she finished work, and I think that was the key positive, that the library was accessible after hours." She added, "Mum wasn't a huge user of the library. It was more about taking me for my schooling needs and now she loves taking my two-year-old daughter to the Wednesday morning toddlers sing and play."
Marie emphasized the library's importance as a safe and accessible space for learning, noting, "The library for me has been an accessible and safe space where I knew I could go to help me with learning. I feel my daughter now has the opportunity to learn there too. She borrows books, puppets and DVDs every week. We feel very lucky to have this resource so close to home."
Longstanding Staff and Technological Evolution
Palmina and Marie are not the only ones with a deep connection to the library. Several staff members who began working there in the 1970s and 1980s remain part of the team. Linda Seymour, former library manager for the City of Cockburn, joined Spearwood Library as a work experience student in 1989 and has witnessed significant changes, particularly in how technology has expanded access to library services.
Seymour explained, "Technology has enabled residents to access the library from home, from eMagazines to eBooks." She addressed concerns about the decline of physical books, saying, "There was a fear at one stage that the printed book would disappear, but that has proven to be so wrong. Most people still love a physical book, and many read both."
Despite automation and digital transformation, Seymour stressed that the core purpose of the library remains unchanged. "Our role as a place of connection is so important," she said. "Groups come in to play mahjong, attend drawing classes or to knit, and those social connections really support community wellbeing. As we become more digitally engrossed in what we do at home and at work, human connection is going to be very important, and libraries will have a major role to play."
Generations of Library Users
Julie Mann, who has worked with Cockburn libraries since 1979, observed multiple generations enjoying Spearwood Library. "Children who once came in with their parents are now bringing in their own kids," Ms Mann noted. "A lot of people come because it's a safe, friendly place. They know they can talk to us."
State librarian and Library Board of WA CEO Catherine Clark shared her early experiences, recalling her first job as a children's librarian at Spearwood in the late 1980s. "I often refer to my role as children's librarian as the hardest job I've ever done and it continues to provide me with many anecdotes," she said, mentioning events like a teddy bear's picnic and themed activities for Children's Book Week. Clark added, "My early experiences at the City of Cockburn have proved invaluable in understanding the importance of public libraries in communities throughout the State."
Library History and Recent Developments
Spearwood Library served as the city's sole branch for 14 years, followed by the openings of Coolbellup Library in 1990 and Success Library in 2000. An extension at Spearwood opened in 2005, funded by a donation from local businessman the late John Carcione, with a dedicated children's section named the John Carcione Wing.
In 2018, the city invested approximately $280,000 in renovating the library, installing user-friendly ergonomic shelving that can be easily moved to accommodate various activities. Last year, the library averaged over 8,300 visitors monthly. It leads in borrowers loaning music CDs compared to its counterparts and has the highest number of adult fiction books borrowed relative to junior books.
Golden Jubilee Celebrations
A week of free golden jubilee activities will be held at Spearwood Library from March 23-28, culminating in a community birthday fair on Saturday, March 28, from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM. City of Cockburn mayor Logan Howlett encouraged community members to participate in the milestone celebrations, which will include a history display, cake-cutting, storytime, and more events.
This anniversary not only marks five decades of service but also underscores the library's ongoing relevance as a hub for education, technology, and social interaction in the Cockburn area.
