Library Musings

A visit to our local library made me ponder about the way in which such establishments have changed over the years. When I was a boy, (that famous phrase used so frequently by geriatric gossips), public libraries were not common. I am sure there were lots more than I was aware of, but I can recall only one large one in Ann Street in the city. This would have been run by the Brisbane City Council. There were a few "private" libraries scattered about, however. When I was about 15, riding on a tram to work, I noticed a Lending Library in a row of shops at Windsor. So, in the afternoon I got off the tram well before my regular stop to explore this little treasure house. Naturally I joined, paid a small fee, and began borrowing fiction novels for a while. Breaking my journey meant a walk home of a couple of miles, as I didn't want to squander pennies on the tram. It was worth the effort, especially as in those days of minimal traffic, a book could be commenced on the way home.

Later I discovered another source of books when I came across a library either under or near the Courier Mail building in Queen Street, Brisbane.In my lunch hour, I could just find time to walk from my workplace at Petrie Bight to the Library ( and back, of course), this time devouring a sandwich not a book. The library was called The Saint Thomas Aquinas Library, and as might be supposed it was run by a Catholic organization. At that time the Catholic Church had a censorship group that listed proscribed books that they considered immoral or sinful,and not to be read by the flock. These days, their choices would be considered hilarious, but they certainly would not have been found at Aquinas. I think I remember that "The Three Musketeers" was one of the naughty books, so I suppose I'll pay for reading that (and others) eventually. One series of short stories I encountered was Chesterton's "Father Brown" stories, a gentle introduction to the hundreds of mystery stories I was to enjoy in subsequent years.

One challenge I set myself at Aquinas was to read Dante's "Paradise Lost ", a massive task, but eventually finished and this provided a stepping stone to further "classical" writings. If you can persevere with Dante, the other ancient scribes are all down hill difficultywise. (I think I've discovered a new word).

These libraries were not large, and fairly quickly ceased to provide sustenance to a rapidly increasing voracious appetite. Once my peregrinations began with my teaching career, contact with Public Libraries was minimal until .... but that's another story !