This organisation is built upon the ethos of encouraging literacy and community. As the reliance on technology as a source of entertainment continues to rise, this scheme allows for a free and easily accessible way to promote reading, recycle books and bring people together. These benefits have clearly been seen in the Inner West as there is a plethora of Street Libraries in this area, a clear example of the potential that this scheme has as it continues to grow. This walking tour will highlight some of the most successful and creative street libraries in the Newtown and Erskineville area and prove the benefit of having a Street Library community. Follow all or part of this self-guided walking tour to experience some of the local area and see the success of the Street Libraries!
Self-guided Walking Tour
1: The Beginning
Location: 1a Macdonald Street, Erskineville NSW Australia
Like any good story, we need to start at the beginning. After first seeing a similar scheme in the United States of America, the Street Library Australia founder, Nic Lowe introduced this organisation in Australia. Since then, Street Libraries have been built across Australia, with a large number situated in Sydney. This Street Library is the home of the organisation and represents the instigation of the idea.
Directions:
Walk west on MacDonald St towards Rochford St (19m)
Turn right onto Rochford St (170m)
Turn left onto Munni St (64m)
Turn left at Union St (10m)
Turn Right onto Munni St (24m)
Destination is on the left
2: Munni St
Location: 12 Munni Street, Newtown NSW Australia
This suburban gem provides books to the neighbours and locals. Close to Newtown and Erskineville train stations as well as King Street, many visitors walking through or parking in the area have access to this facility. The simple style emphasises practicality, mimicking the old school feeling of leaving a book in public for the next person to pick up and read.
Directions:
Walk east on Munni St towards Union St (24m)
Turn left at Union St (10m)
Turn right onto Munni St (64m)
Turn left onto Rochford St (290m)
Turn right onto Erskineville Rd (26m)
3: Erskineville Village Anglican Church
Location: 55 Erskineville Road, Erskineville NSW Australia
The positioning of this library next to the Erskineville Village Anglican Church on Erskineville Road opens it up to a lot of foot traffic as parishioners, locals and visitors all have access to these books. The implementation of this by the ministry team allows for the expansion of a pre-existing community, enriching the relationship between the parish and the larger society. This two storey Street Library is large enough to hold a multitude of books of all genres and can cater to everyone!
Directions:
Walk north-west on Erskineville Rd towards Rochford St (450m)
Continue onto Mary St (110m)
Turn left onto Lennox St (150m)
Turn right onto Australia St (31m)
Destination will be on the left
4: Australia Street Infant School
Location: 231 Australia Street, Newtown NSW Australia
The Australia Street Infant School is the site of two Street Libraries! After the success of the original Street Library, the children wanted to get involved, so a separate library was made targeted to housing children’s books and set at a lower height for easier access. Whilst the original library is used by many different people including families, retirees and business people, the children’s one is used by students and toddlers from the play group. The close connection with the school allows for an ongoing recycling of books as it is constantly refilled, sometimes even overfilled with books left next to it!
Directions:
Walk north on Australia St towards Campbell Ln (35m)
Turn left onto Campbell Ln (200m)
Turn right onto Chelmsford St (90m)
Destination will be on the left
5: Little Library
Location: 65 Chelmsford Street, Newtown NSW Australia
The owner of this Street Library, Jon Carle was on-board with this project from early on, and has become a big advocate for the scheme, helping to build 10-15 Street Libraries in the area. He has noticed the way in which his Street Library has been used by all different people, both neighbours and visitors to the area. In addition, Jon has realised the sense of equality which this scheme advocates, proven as he has seen a homeless man using the library, whom may not have the monetary or identification needs to access literature through a traditional route. After seeing the success of the Street Libraries in this area, and the way in which they feed each other, Jon has noted that he believes this Street Library community can be mimicked in other areas, calling it ‘the best thing since sliced bread’.
Directions:
Walk north on Chelmsford St towards Turtle Ln (160m)
Turn left onto Bishopgate St (16m)
Destination will be on the left
6: Cacti and Clouds
Location: 13 Bishopgate Street, Newtown NSW Australia
After seeing a Street Library in the local area, Rob Way set up his own Street Library in 2017. Rob decorated it with cacti and clouds with the help of his daughter, and since installing it has had great feedback from its users. The community’s continual use of it means that there is a good turnover of titles of a wide variety of genres. The benefit of the community involvement is that people consistently restock the Street Library to the extent that they sometimes have trouble fitting their books in!
Directions:
Walk east on Bishopgate St towards Chelmsford St (16m)
Turn left onto Chelmsford St (26m)
Destination will be on the left
7: Chelmsford St
Location: 9 Chelmsford St, Camperdown NSW Australia
User testimonial – Although relatively small, the local community library always has something in it for every reader. I love the way it encourages sustainable living as opposed to letting the book gather dust on a shelf. The future oriented and community core of the initiative really shows how far a seemingly simple idea can go in making a difference and bringing people and minds together. Megan, 20.
Directions:
Walk south on Chelmsford St towards Bishopgate St (26m)
Turn right onto Bishopgate St (66m)
Turn left towards Oxford St (31m)
Slight left onto Oxford St (100m)
8: Turtle Lane Community Garden
Location: 36 Oxford Street, Newtown NSW
This Street Library also works within a pre-existing community, The Turtle Lane Community Garden, and allows for an expansion of this into the wider society. The design of this Street Library is inspired by the garden which it is connected to. Situated between multiple schools and parishes of different denominations, this is in a good position to be accessed by people from all demographics and is well-stocked with an array of books for both children and adults with a variety interests.
Directions:
Walk north on Oxford St towards Turtle Ln (10m)
Make a U-turn at Turtle Ln (22m)
Destination will be on the left
Directions:
Walk north on Oxford St towards Turtle Ln (10m)
Make a U-turn at Turtle Ln (22m)
Destination will be on the left
9: Dr Zeuss’ Library
Location: 17 Oxford Street, Newtown NSW Australia
This Street Library is decorated with Dr Zeuss characters attracting children’s attention and encouraging them to read! This is represented by the children’s books available inside, as well as a selection of literature for adults. The close proximity of this to the previous location shows the success of having Street Libraries within eyesight of each other as they both remain stocked and used, encouraging the existence of each other.
Directions:
Walk south on Oxford St towards Fitzroy Ln (42m)
Turn right onto Fitzroy Ln (66m)
Turn right onto Baltic St (76m)
10: Batman’s Library
Location: 51 Baltic Street, Newtown NSW Australia
Marty installed this striking Street Library, decorated with bats in early 2018. He was inspired to have his own Street Library after seeing others begin to appear in the area. Since then, he has realised the great community aspect of this project, as he and his wife have had the opportunity to talk to many different people if they see them outside borrowing a book. This allows for people to get to know their neighbours better and meet people whom they wouldn’t commonly have contact with.
Directions:
Walk south on Baltic St towards Fitzroy Ln (110m)
Turn right onto Albermarle St (58m)
Turn right onto Bedford St (17m)
Turn left towards Philip St (13m) – take the stairs
Take the pedestrian tunnel (38m)
Turn left onto Philip St (220m)
Turn left onto Thurnby Ln (84m)
Turn left onto Wilford St (18m)
11: Young Henry’s
Location: 75 Wilford Street, Newtown NSW Australia
User testimonial – These Street Libraries are a great idea! If I want to start a new book I don’t need to wait until I have time to go to the shops, I can just go for a short walk and find something to read. Having a street library at the brewery is really handy – you can start a book if you’re alone or waiting for someone, or take a book home with you to read. Mike, 58.
If you're over 18, stop for a drink before the last destination!
Directions:
Walk south on Wilford St towards Thurnby Ln (62m)
Turn right onto Enmore Rd (76m)
12: Alfalfa House
Location: 113 Enmore Road, Newtown NSW Australia
The owner of this Street Library and Alfalfa House, Maurice, has noted that by being situated on the busy epicentre of Newtown, King Street and being directly opposite the Enmore Theatre means that it is extremely well-used, with people constantly giving and taking books. It was painted by a local artist, and importantly features an Acknowledgement of Country on it. Key to Maurice’s interest in the street library scheme is the way in which it shares the same ethics as his food cooperative – reusing and recycling.
For more information about Street Library Australia and details about how you can support this organisation, go to https://streetlibrary.org.au
A special thanks to Nic and Cecile at the Street Library Organisation and the street library owners in the local area for their time and feedback.
Direction information sourced from Google Maps