Windback Wednesday - Millennium Project revamp of Burnside Library and Civic Centre

Did you know 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of the current Burnside Library? The first iteration of the Burnside Library was opened in April 1961, comprised of just three staff with enough seating for 16 patrons. Upon opening, Burnside Library became the ninth free lending library to open in South Australia.

Burnside Library was a hit from the very beginning, attracting approximately 6,500 registered borrowers and 110,000 loans within the first 12 months. Demand became so high that the library was remodelled in 1973/74 to increase book stock from 20,000 to 49,000, and expanded in 1976 to increase floor space by over 5,000 square feet, extend opening hours by 10 hours per week, provide a dedicated children's space, and increase book stock to 60,000. At this stage, the library was recording approximately 193,000 loans per year.

The library was computerised in 1981, and extensions including a dedicated Local History Room were added, while in the 1990s the advent of the internet led to dedicated computer stations for customer use.

By this stage it was becoming increasingly clear that the original library building could not accommodate the ever-increasing demand for its services, and in 1998 Council approved the Burnside Millennium Project, which led to the complete demolition of the original Burnside Library building and the construction of a new and improved library at the same location.

Demolition of the old library began in January 2000 and the entire project was completed within 10 months. The new library included a dedicated children's library and became home to the Toy Library, which had previously operated out of the Glenunga Oval. In 2025, the Burnside Library stocks approximately 90,000 physical items and records around 355,000 physical loans per year.

Photographs: Burnside Library 1961, Burnside Library Exterior 1983, Burnside Library Exterior 1990s, Civic Centre Renovations, 2000. Courtesy of the Burnside Local History Collection.