ABOUT THE LIBRARY
Welcome to the Shire of Carnarvon Library and Art Gallery. Located at 18 Egan Street, the facility is within walking distance of the main street and offers members and visitors a wide range of resources and services.
With a diverse collection of books, DVDs, magazines and special collections, the library also offers public computers with internet access as well as wi-fi, printing, scanning and photocopying facilities.
Our co-located facility offers much more, with several areas for community catch ups, study or work space, a Local History room, a Meeting Room for hire, a comfortable lounge area and the Main Art Gallery Exhibition Space and Gallery Nook.
Opening Hours
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday: 9:30am to 5pm
Wednesday: 9:30am to 5pm
Thursday: 9:30am to 5pm
Friday: 9:30am to 5pm
Saturday: 9:30am to 12:30pm
Sundays and Public Holidays: CLOSED
Library History
Founded in 1887, the Jubilee Hall on Francis Street, Carnarvon housed the Gascoyne Library. The building also hosted Carnarvon Municipal Council meetings from 1891.
At the 15 September meeting 1952, the Library Board of WA invited Carnarvon Municipal Council to nominate to become a public library. It was on this date that the Council resolved to put forward an application.
The Jubilee Hall ceased to function as a Council Chambers on 4 September 1965 and as a library in 1973 when the new Gascoyne Library opened on Stuart Street.
The new Carnarvon District Library was officially opened on 21 March 1973 by Mrs. Elizabeth Gooch of Manberry Station, Carnarvon when she unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion. The library was later named the George Gooch Memorial Library.
In 1985, the Library Board resolved that Carnarvon District Library should be recognized as an isolated library of strength; as such, on 1 September 1989, Council resolved to accept the Library Board’s offer to provide Regional Library Services to the Gascoyne Area, supporting the Shires of Exmouth, Upper Gascoyne and Shark Bay.
In March 2011, the State Government’s Royalties for Regions’ program, as part of the Gascoyne Revitalisation Plan, committed funding towards creating a library and arts centre for the Gascoyne Region.
The new Carnarvon Library and Art Gallery opened on 25th October 2013 to provide regional library services and resources throughout the Gascoyne.
The $5.6 million upgrade, refurbishment and conversion of the old squash courts building in Carnarvon into the Library and Art Gallery was made possible with $4.64 million of Royalties for Regions funding and funding support from the Shire of Carnarvon.
The building is now an educational, social and cultural hub for residents and visitors alike and incorporates dedicated areas for children and adults, a community lounge space, a meeting room and a public computer zone. The inclusion of a co-located art gallery also creates excellent opportunities to host touring exhibitions, support local regional artists and for tourism and cultural development.
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Jubilee Hall Library
(Source: Shire of Carnarvon Municipal Heritage Inventory)
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Carnarvon District Library
(Source: SLWA b3430769)
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Carnarvon Library & Art Gallery
(Source: Shire of Carnarvon)
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Your Library & Art Gallery Team
Coming from an array of backgrounds with varying work experience, the library and art gallery team brings great enthusiasm and passion for delivering excellent customer service and in meeting the needs of our community, patrons and visitors.
We look forward to welcoming you soon!
From left to right:
Elke (Library Officer P/T); Cheryl (Coordinator Library Services & Art Gallery);
Valentine (Library Officer); Rochelle (Library Officer P/T); Megan (Gallery Officer P/T)