It started at the School of Arts
Where the early settlers saw,
The need for an education
That they didn’t have before.
Of course the books were not for free
Just a small fee for each one,
The library had to pay its way
So that’s what had to be done.
A source of information
Was the local School of Arts,
It’s thanks to all the books inside
That so many got a start.
They also had Penny Readers
For those with a lighter taste,
Dictionaries and standard authors
There was nothing went to waste.
Then somewhere round 1950
The shire leaders took a stand,
Everyone could use the library
All for free, just as they’d planned.
Added to the School of Arts
A small building led the way,
For the modern Lending Library
That we have in town today.
The first Librarian, Miss Gray
Held the post for many years,
Devoted to the work she did
And respected by her peers.
Other librarians followed
And they’ve always been as keen,
To keep this great service growing
In the years that fell between.
When I first came to Narrabri
And I thought I’d take a look,
Helen Breen was librarian
When I went to get a book.
Helen stayed there many years
And she served the Shire well,
Running competitions for schools
Quite successful one could tell.
These days we have a mobile van
To cart library books about,
To smaller towns and little schools
On the plains much further out.
Three main libraries in the Shire
At Boggabri and Wee Waa,
Of course there’s one in Narrabri
But they service so much more.
There’s Pilliga and Gwabegar
Baan Baa and Bellata too,
The mobile van being kept busy
Which is what they’re meant to do.
The library’s so much more these days
More than just lending a book,
If you’ve not been inside of late
Then pop in and have a look.
They have story time for children
Local authors they promote,
Help people with family research
And with research of some note.
The library’s getting on in years
Now it’s turning seventy five,
May it flourish in the future
And may it long survive.
