The People's Library: Williamstown's Mechanics' Institute and its Enduring Spirit

On July 10, 1860, the Williamstown Mechanics Institute was opened with an extensive soiree. With the institute’s opening, it was also decided to create a public library associated with the institute, in the hope that the institute could take advantage of the government grant for free libraries.[1] Later that year, in October, it was announced that 200 volumes had been added to the library in the last six months, bringing the total number of volumes to 940.  Furthermore, upwards of 1000 books had been issued to users in the library’s first half-year of being opened.[2]

Reports from later that decade continued to outline the extensive additions to the library, including “the writing of our most celebrated Philosophers, Statemen, and Travellers.” The committee sought not to only add to the library works of fiction, but also “those works which have a direct tendency to instruct and elevate the minds of readers.” In April 1867, it was reported that 1,932 books had been issued in the past six months, revealing the steady rise in popularity of the library.[3] By May 1869, £2500 had been spent on the Mechanics Institute building, and the library’s total number of books had reached 2,532. Ability to loan books from the Melbourne Library meant that members could choose from 4,000 books in total. It was also at this time that a “most comfortable and attractive” reading room was opened, which hosted a fireplace and “the most popular newspapers and magazines of the time.”[4] Later that year, in October, an auction was held to get rid of damaged books. The proceeds of the auction were to be for the purchase of new books, thus “maintain[ing] the high standard of excellence which [the] Library has attained,” and providing library members with “works of the great writers of the day”, including those in disciplines such as theology, science, arts, history, biography, travels, poetry, and fiction. With satisfaction, the committee also noted that attendance of the reading room had increased considerably.[5]

In April 1870, the committee announced that they had continued to make valuable additions to the library, displaying “great discrimination in choosing only such as will tend the elevate the taste of the readers.” Books added included Henry Fawcett’s Manual of Political Economy, Napoleon’s Julius Caesar, Charles Dickens’ Our Mutual Friend, and Alfred Tennyson’s Holy Grail, among many others.[6] By April 1871, the library’s total number of books had now reached 2,467. The Reading Room continued to be well-attended, including by seamen who frequent the Williamstown piers, who were allowed free admission.[7] In July 1873, a report from the annual meeting of the Victorian Seamen’s Mission announced that 30,000 to 35,000 seamen visited Victoria each year, revealing the importance of the free reading room at Williamstown.[8]

According to a report from October 1874, in the past six months the committee had added compilations of Dickens, Thackeray, and Scott. 109 volumes had also been rebound, thus leaving the library in a more satisfactory state regarding both the number of volumes and their condition.[9]

In October 1877, it was noted that there had been an increase in attendance of the reading room by officers, apprentices, and seamen. Shipping firms had promised subscriptions to the funding of the institute for their seamen. The President of the institute believed that the free reading room would provide “comfort and improvement of the seamen in their employ, thereby checking the abominable vice of drunkenness that prevails among sailors when they are left to their own resources.”[10]

In April 1879, the library increased its opening hours.[11] Later that year, the front room of the library was fitted for public convenience, and the public were allowed free access to the library.[12] In November 1879, the institute changed its name to “The Williamstown Mechanics’ Institute and Free Library,” which had been necessary to enable the library to receive government funding.[13]

By April 1886, over 4,250 volumes were now in the library. Various clubs and societies had also begun to use rooms in the library, including the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, the Williamstown Shipwright’s Society, the Williamstown Horticultural Society, the Williamstown Eight Hours Society, and more. The library had also received a donation of twenty images from the Melbourne Public Library, which were to be framed and hung around the institute.[14]

In April 1886, an editorial in the Williamstown Chronicle written by representatives of the institute criticised the lack of library subscribers, particularly among the youth, who appeared to be more interested in sports rather than mental cultivation. The writer lamented that they 

cannot see how a couple of hours spent at our Mechanics’ Institute – or other kindred establishment of a night – would at all lessen a young man’s prowess in the sports arena, and, when the more serious duties of life come to be entered on, the knowledge thus acquired would be of infinitely more service to him…[15]

In April 1888, at the institute’s AGM, it was suggested that there should be more attention given to accommodation in the reading room, which would “induce youths to cultivate literary knowledge instead of congregating at corners and walking about the streets.”[16] The library was thus seen as of vital importance in educating Williamstown’ youth.

In October 1891, another letter to the editor of the Chronicle urged the social and individual importance of the library: 

Can you explain how it is that the bulk of Williamstown people fail to appreciate the local institute and free library to the extent it deserves? Maybe it is that they really do not fully understand the intellectual feasts that are daily offered for their acceptance… The existence of the institution wholly depends upon the support of the public, and surely every intelligent member of our community must feel that such an institution is beneficial and elevating in character, and an advantage to the town.[17]

In January 1899, the library had nearly 5000 volumes and was considered “one of the best in the suburbs.”[18] In January 1903, the institute’s committee entered into an agreement with the town council to municipalise some parts of the institute, while keeping the library and reading room under the control of a joint committee of council members and representatives of the institute. The agreement was on the condition that the council erect a new hall for the institute capable of seating 300 people.[19] By May 1909, the library had continued to expand, housing 5456 books on its shelves, with a total of 234 chairs inside the institute.[20].

November 1925 saw renovations for the institute: the flooring of the stage was renewed, the public reading room was furnished with new periodicals, and framed photographs of Australasian scenic spots were hung on the walls.[21] By January 1927, the library was composed of more than 9,000 books, periodicals, and magazines.[22] A report from May 1928 announced that the library now catered for 500 families, which was a higher percentage of the population than any other suburban library. It was also noted that for the past years, the library had not received any government grants but had rather been supported entirely by member subscriptions, and “those desirous to read”.[23] In August that year, a junior section was added to the library.[24]

In July 1929, there was a motion that the committee confer with the Williamstown City Council in order to obtain a grant for the purchase of educational literature. With a grant of £350 a year, the committee said they would provide educational literature, a free children’s library, and a free reading room that included papers and magazines. The agreement would be under the control of a joint committee of the council and representatives of the institute.[25] In September that year, the institute sent a letter to the council, stating that they were not prepared to accept the offer to take over the assets and liabilities of the institute upon terms which they felt meant the municipalisation of the institute. The committee renewed its application for a grant, and representatives argued that the institute had done a lot for the educational needs of the municipality, thus meriting council support. Ultimately, the establishment of a children’s library and free library would benefit all.[26] The next month, the Mayor moved that £100 be spent on the institute, and in November the council asked the institute to indicate how they would spend the money. The institute’s committee responded that they would establish a free children’s library with 800 books. Twenty-four women had also volunteered to help get the library going. It was hoped the children’s library would be finished for Christmas.[27]

In August 1935, at the institute’s AGM, it was mentioned that although the councils are authorised and expected to aid local libraries, the institute had only received £115 in its 79 years of public service. The secretary estimated that there were at least 1,600 homes interested in its reading activities, and the unanimous feeling of the meeting was that it was time for expansion. They believed that the council should be asked to cooperate. The meeting also discussed the children’s library, which had been commended by the district school inspector and head teachers, and which the committee claimed held books “superior to that of any other children’s library in Australia.”[28]

In February 1936, the financial position of the library was satisfactory: renovations to rooms were in full swing, and arrangements were made for the opening of a group educational system in the children’s library.[29] In March, the children’s library was opened, with accommodation for 40 readers. There were 300 children waiting at the library’s opening. The Director of Education, J. McRae opened the group educational section of the children’s library, remarking that “the children of Williamstown were to be envied.”[30] In December, it was noted that there had been 30,000 visits to the library in the past year.[31]

By July 1937, the Children’s Library had proved to be of value. Yearly attendance of the library was now at 40,000.[32] On July 24, the institute was visited by the former Director of Education, a representative of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the headmistress of Williamstown Girls’ School, headteachers of other schools in the district, the president of the Libraries’ Association of Victoria, and more. Mr Tate, the Director of Education, praised the librarian for valuing the relationship of the school with the library. Visitors overall expressed the opinion that Williamstown was doing great work as a spearhead for Victoria.[33]

In February 1938, the Shepparton Advertiser published an article advertising the Williamstown library, titled “Williamstown’s Fine Example”. It wrote that notable progress had been made at Williamstown, where a valuable development of the ‘library movement’ is the establishment of the Educational Group Section, where school pupils attend and their teachers allot their pupils reading tasks in history, geography, literature, music, art, health, and more. The article emphasises the importance of the library to students: “Those chiefly concerned are the children – the citizens of the future. Does it pay to give them a wider outlook, the power to find knowledge for themselves, and the habit of thinking and reasoning for themselves? We in Williamstown think it does.”[34] In August 1938, it was noted that Williamstown’s reading room was one of the best in the State: it was free of charge and open 72 hours per week. Furthermore, the educational group section was leading in Australia, with the implementation of two modern picture machines to show educational films.[35]

At the August 1941 AGM, it was announced that the Williamstown library was the best on this side of Melbourne, with 633 new books being added that year. The library had also been providing free books to nursing and fighting forces, which was announced to be most likely the best of any Victorian library.[36] By October that year, there was now 8,000 books to choose from in the library.[37] The children’s library continued to grow in popularity – by 1945, it was noted that 8,500 children had been members since it had opened.[38] Other parts of the library continued to also be of great use. In August 1946, the secretary of the institute noted that the main hall and lodge had been used on 130 occasions over the past five months.[39]

Over the next decade, recommendations were made to municipalise the institute to allow greater financial support from the council. In February 1954, actions were made to begin implementing the proposal to vest the institute in the council.[40] Arguments were made for the establishment of a free municipal library, and it was reported in March 1962 that a referendum would be held to decide the matter. The Newport Branch of the A.E.U voiced its support for a free municipal library in Williamstown, arguing that Williamstown, “with its unique background of cultural and social leadership, should take this opportunity of further demonstrating their interest in the welfare of its citizens by the active support for the establishment of a first-class municipal library.”[41]

Throughout its long development, the library has proved to be of great importance to Williamstown’s history and culture. Continuously praised as a site of education, particularly for Williamstown’s youth, the mechanics institute was a pioneer among Victorian libraries. Furthermore, the library played a large role in Williamstown’s important maritime history, as it provided a needed educational and recreational stop for Victoria’s seamen. It is not unreasonable to say that without the Mechanics’ Institute and its library, Williamstown today would look very different.

If you would like to read more about the Williamstown Mechanics' Institute, please click here.

References:

1. Argus, July 10, 1860.
2. Williamstown Chronicle, October 13, 1860, pg. 3.
3. Williamstown Chronicle, April 13, 1867, pg. 6.
4. Williamstown Chronicle, May 1, 1869, pg. 5.
5. Williamstown Chronicle, October 23, 1869, pg. 3
6. Williamstown Chronicle, April 16, 1870, pg. 4.
7. Williamstown Chronicle, April 29, 1871, pg. 5.
8. Leader, July 12, 1873, pg. 12.
9. Williamstown Chronicle, October 31, 1874, pg. 3.
10. Williamstown Chronicle, October 27, 1877, pg. 4.
11. Chronicle, April 12, 1879, pg. 3.
12. Williamstown Chronicle, October 18, 1879, pg. 2.
13. Williamstown Chronicle, November 1, 1879, pg. 4.
14. Williamstown Chronicle, April 17, 1886, pg. 2.
15. Williamstown Chronicle, April 17, 1886, pg. 2.
16. Williamstown Chronicle, April 28, 1888, pg. 2.
17. Williamstown Chronicle, October 31, 1891, pg. 3.
18. Williamstown Chronicle, January 28, 1899, pg. 3.
19. The Age, January 30, 1903, pg. 6.
20. Williamstown Chronicle, May 15, 1909, pg. 3.
21. Williamstown Chronicle, November 21, 1925, pg. 2; Age, November 19, 1925, pg. 7.
22. Argus, January 24, 1927, pg. 12.
23. Williamstown Chronicle, May 5, 1928, pg. 2.
24. Williamstown Chronicle, August 4, 1928, pg. 2.
25. Williamstown Chronicle, July 27, 1929, pg. 2.
26. Williamstown Chronicle, September 21, 1929, pg. 2.
27. Williamstown Chronicle, November 23, 1929, pg. 2.
28. Williamstown Chronicle, August 3, 1935, pg. 7.
29. Williamstown Chronicle, February 22, 1936, pg. 6.
30. Argus, March 28, 1936, pg. 18.
31. Age, December 14, 1936, pg. 19.
32. Williamstown Chronicle, July 24, 1937, pg. 3.
33. Age, July 24, 1937, pg. 28; Williamstown Chronicle, July 31, 1937, pg. 1.
34. Shepparton Advertiser, February 7, 1938, pg. 8.
35. Williamstown Chronicle, August 6, 1938, pg. 2.
36. Williamstown Chronicle, August 1, 1941, pg. 7.
37. Williamstown Chronicle, October 24, 1941, pg. 6.
38. Williamstown Chronicle, March 16, 1945, pg. 1.
39. Williamstown Chronicle, August 30, 1946, pg. 6.
40. Williamstown Chronicle, February 12, 1954, pg. 3.
41. Chronicle, April 19-26, 1962, pg. 4.