History of Cambridge Library

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Cambridge Library’s story began with a strong community push for local access to books and learning. Key milestones over the past six decades include:

  • 12 Jun 1964 – Residents of Floreat Park submit a petition to the City of Perth requesting a local library.

  • 8 Nov 1965 – Floreat Park Library opens as a branch of the City of Perth Library with 15,500 volumes. Located beside the newly established Floreat Forum, it is built and furnished for $100,000.

  • 1965 – Membership is limited to City of Perth residents, people living within 2km, or those holding a State Library ticket.

  • 1966 – More than 1,100 adults and 939 juniors join within months.

  • 1977 – Home Delivery Service begins.

  • 1978 – Membership reaches 8,786, outstripping other Perth branch libraries. Around 20,000 items are issued each month, with half the collection on loan at any given time.

  • 1986 – Twenty-one years after opening, 4.65 million loans have been recorded, ranking the library among the busiest in Western Australia.

  • 1988 – Major renovations extend work areas, relocate the entrance and expand into the upper storey of the Lesser Hall at a cost of $150,000.

  • 8 Feb 1988 – Library reopens with a computerised catalogue. All 50,000 City of Perth library users must re-register.

  • 1994 – Staff handle an information request approximately every five minutes.

  • 1995 – At its 30th anniversary, the collection holds 32,000 items including books, magazines, talking books, videos, large print and LOTE materials. Nearly 250,000 items are issued in 1994/95.

  • Nov 1995 – Membership exceeds 17,000 and joining restrictions are removed.

  • 31 May 2002 – Floreat Park Library closes and demolition begins.

  • 15 Jul 2002 – The new $6 million Cambridge Library opens, funded without impact on rates. More than 1,800 people attend opening day, and 700 new members join within weeks. Nineteen public computers provide internet access and music stations offer CD listening.

  • 2002 – The new library holds 43,000 items and is recognised as one of Western Australia’s most used library services.

  • Jul 2004 – The Local Studies Collection is launched as part of the Town of Cambridge’s 10th anniversary celebrations.

  • 2000s–2020s – Leadership from Anne Hill, Michelle Ledger and Nerida Clifford shapes the Library’s development.

  • 8 Nov 2025 – Cambridge Library holds more than 42,000 physical items, over 20,000 e-resources and has more than 11,000 active members.

These milestones reflect a strong tradition of community connection, learning and service that continues as Cambridge Library marks its 60th year.

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