Library Celebrates 60 Years
In 1960, John F. Kennedy won the US Presidential Election, Chubby Checker and The Twist started a new dance craze – and the Port Pirie Regional Library opened its doors.
Sixty years later and the Port Pirie Regional Library Service and is still going strong, with branches in both Port Pirie and Crystal Brook. To celebrate this milestone, the Port Pirie Library will be hosting a Family Fun Day on Sunday 1st March between 1pm and 4pm.
Port Pirie’s library was the second country Public Library to be established in South Australia (after Nuriootpa in 1959). The library was officially opened by the Premier Sir Thomas Playford on 25th February 1960 with 200 people in attendance.
Mayor Leon Stephens will perform the official ceremony and cut the birthday cake at 2pm. Other activities on the day will include:
- Magic show
- Balloon artist
- Free Pirie Rail Express train rides
- Children’s storytime and craft
- Vintage vehicles on display
- Ice cream van
A time capsule will be sealed on the day until the year of 2035. It will be reopened to correspond with the 75 year anniversary of the Port Pirie Regional Library Service and the 25year anniversary of the Library moving to the railway platform location.
The Library encourages people to think about what they envisage the Library to look like in 15 years’ time. Write a paragraph on this and your submission will be included in the time capsule!