Harvey residents celebrate as Memorial Library hits centennial milestone

Rows of classic cars, crowds of adoring locals and a hall full of familiar Harvey faces gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Harvey Memorial Library. The May 24 celebrations marked a centennial milestone for one of Harvey’s most beloved landmarks and was also the scene of the town’s Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser. Dressed in sequinned chiffon and donning classic 1920s feathered headbands, the library staff took the event back in time, with librarian Ruth Campbell-Hicks addressing the crowd to praise the beloved landmark and thank the community. “We welcome everyone to the Harvey Library and we love to see you all,” she said. “In this day and age when sometimes people can feel a bit lonely or a bit isolated, come to the library, we will always have time to listen and have a chat.” Hinting at just how much history it holds in its walls the Harvey Memorial Library is aptly named so after it was erected on May 24 1922 in honour of those who fought in World War I. This came following fundraising in the form of an “Ugly Men’s Competition” which added a further £350 ($30,557.52) to prior fundraising efforts making a grand total of £750 ($65,480.40) to build the library. The Harvey Memorial Library became a State Library 55 years after its inaugural opening, undergoing renovations to accommodate an increased number of books — of which it issued 8833 to its 771 members in the first four months. It has since seen only two head librarians — Lorraine Venables and Ruth Campbell-Hicks — but has solidified itself as a significant part of the community for 100 years, according to Shire president Paul Gillett. “The Harvey Library is a fantastic institution that our community loves, it has remained a vital part of the community with a full calendar of activities throughout the year,” he said. “Libraries are no longer silent places, but spaces where relationships can be formed, hustle and bustle are common and community members of all kind are supported.” A timeline of the library’s vast history was on display last week to celebrate the occasion and included a timeline, photographic displays, fashion and artefacts from 1922.